Horizon : Exotic fruits you have probably never heard of
【明報專訊】Below is a list of some of the unique fruits from around the world. Have you ever tried any of them? If not, would you like to try one?
■Miracle fruit
The miracle fruit is also called the miracle berry or the sweet berry. It is the fruit of an evergreen shrub that grows in West Africa's tropical forests. The small, red, single-seeded fruit is sweet. It is used as an alternative to sugar in food because it contains low calories. It is also used to bring back appetite and regulate blood sugar.
■Tree tomato
The tree tomato is also known as the tamarillo. It is an egg-shaped fruit which is famous for its excellent nutritional values. It ranges from purple to yellow. People usually chill it in the fridge and then eat it by scooping out the soft flesh with a spoon. The taste is complex with a hint of sweetness. Some people think that it tastes like a tomato or a kiwifruit. The skin is bitter, so it is usually not eaten.
■Horned melon
The horned melon is one of the oldest fruits in the world. It originated 3000 years ago. It has many names including horned cucumber, spiked melon, jelly melon or kiwano. It is dark green but it becomes orange when it is ripe. People eat the sweet inner flesh which tastes like a cross between a cucumber and a lemon. A hint of banana flavour may be detected when it is overripe. It is full of yellow and green seeds which are often eaten. Its juice can be used to treat heartburn, blood pressure problems and skin diseases.
Photos: Wirestock, ValentynVolkov & LPETTET @iStock
■Glossary
alternative (n) 代替
appetite (n) 食慾
complex (adj) 複雜的
ripe (adj) 熟的
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[Smarties' Power English 第391期]
