Discover the Taste and Potentials of Less Popular Fruits of the Philippines

Dr Abe V Rotor

               

Arius. - Pastry made from the "berries " of Arius, product developed by Batanes State University. Pastry is the name given to various kinds of baked products made from ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk, butter, shortening, baking powder, and eggs. Small tarts and other sweet baked products are called "Arius pastries."

Sineguelas (Spondias purpurea) See article in this blog, It's sineguelas time.

 

 Caimito (Chrysophyllum cainito)

Limonsito 

Rambutan 

Lanzones from Paete, Marang from South Cotabato, pomelo from Davao, manggang kalabao from Zambales, strawberry from Baguio, durian from Maguindanao, dalangita from Cavite, pakwan from Candaba – but wait.

These are only samples of the country’s rich variety of fruits. What we may not readily find in the market are the less popular fruits, fruits that are even better, not to mention their rarity of their taste, than the major ones.

Here is a list of the minor fruits of the Philippines, often referred to as “promising fruits” because of their great potential in agriculture and industry, for both domestic and foreign markets.

1. Atis (Anona squamosa)

It is also called sugar apple for its very sweet taste. The fruit when mature is light green or yellowish, the ridges becoming wide apart, and in some cases split. Atis is a typical example of collective fruit, each seed covered by fleshy carpel which we each. The seeds are small and kids playfully spit them out like a blow gun.

2. Avocado (Persia americana)

It originated from Mexico where it is a very popular. In fact it is Mexico’s national fruit. It was introduced into the country by the Spaniards in the 17th century. Today avocado is found in most part of the country and cultivated in the backyard.

3. Balimbing (Averrhoa carambola)

4. Kamias (Averrhoa balimbi)

5. Caimito (Chrysophyllum cainito)

6. Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) PHOTO

7. Chico (Manikara zapota syn., Achras zapota)

8. Duhat (Syzygium cumini)

9. Duruian (Durio zibethinus)

10. Grapes (Vitis vinifera)

11. Guava (Psidium guajava)

12. Guyabano (Anona muricata)

13. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

14. Lanzones (Lansium domesticum)

15. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)

16. Pili (Canarium ovatum)

17. Rambutan (Nephalium appaceum)

18. Rimas (Artocarpus altilis)

19. Kamansi (A. camansi)

20. Santol (Sandoricum koetjape)

21. Siniguelas (Spondias purpurea)

22. Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)

23. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)

24. Tiessa (Lucuma nervosa)

Other noteworthy fruits

25. Bago (Gnetum gnenum)

26. Bignay (Antidesma bunuis)

27. Biriba (Rollina deliciosa syn R. orthopetala)

28. Chico-Mamey ( Pouteria sapota syn., Calocarpum sapota)

29. Datiles (Muntingia calabura)

30. Kalumpit (Terminalia microcarpa)

31. Camachili (Pithecolobium dulce) PHOTO

32. Kayam (Inocarpus eduluis)

33. Mabolo ( Diospyrus blancoi)

34. Makopa ( Syzygium samarangense)

35. Manzanitas (Ziziphus jujuba)

36. Marang (Artocarpus pdoratoissima)

37. Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)

38. Granadilla (Punica granatum) 

These may be included in The Promising Fruits of the Philippines by Dr. Roberto E. Coronel:

39. Tampoy

40. Sapote

41. Fig

42. Batocanag~