Top 5 Exotic Fruits of Jamaica

Top 5 exotic fruits of Jamaica are Mangoes, Star Apple, Guinep, Paw Paw, Sweet Sop and Jack Fruit. The fruits offer lots of health benefits. They have been a staple in Jamaican culture for a long time.

Mangoes

Mangoes is a great source for Vitamin C and A. According to FoodFacts, mangos have many health benefits. Mango has been know to fight against many cancer.  Mangos contain fructose which can be harmful with excessive amounts. This tropical exotic fruit offers much-needed benefits far beyond the great taste. This tropical exotic fruit offers much needed benefits far beyond the great taste. This could be the reason why Prevent Disease suggests that people should eat one mango per day. Which could help with bone growth and vision-protecting properties.

Jackfruit

Jackfruit is the largest fruit in the world that grows on a tree. It grows on the branches and trunks of very tall trees. The name jackfruit came from jaca in Portuguese. Jackfruit or kathal in Bangladesh is their national fruit. The tree can take five to seven years to harvest and bear 100 to 200 jackfruits each season.  This jackfruit could grow up to 40 inches and weigh over 100 pounds. The fruit contains many seeds that are rich in iron, calcium, protein, potassium and vitamin B.  The part of the Jackfruit that is eaten is the peg.

Star Apple

This fruit has several name base on what parts of the world you’re from. In Jamaica it Star-Apple, in Spanish its called Caimito and in Portuguese it’s called ajara. In Trinidad and Tobago its kaimit, and in Barbados it’s star-plum. To eat the star apple, you do not bite into the fruit. You open the apple and eat the flesh inside. Star Apple has vitamin A and is a good source of fiber. The fruit tree does offer some health benefits. The bark, sap, fruit and seeds of the star apple tree is used for various health remedy. According to the elders, by boiling the leaves, it can be to help with diabetes and arthritis. Star Apple is a good source of fiber and vitamin A.

Paw Paw

Paw-Paw is a tropical fruit. Paw paw is in the same plant family as custard apple. This exotic fruit is deliciously sweet. It’s a good source for antioxidant nutrients. According to the World’s Healthiest Food, “Papaya is an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids) and vitamin C.” They went on to say that “paw paw is a very good source of folate and a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, copper, and vitamin K.”

Guinep

This exotic fruit Guinep is grown in Jamaica. It’s known in other parts of the world as Honeyberry, Mamoncillo, Mapo, Spanish lime, Skinip, Quenepa, and Ackee. The pulp layer on the seed when eaten has amino acids. This can help to lower blood sugar levels. It has vitamin A & C. Guinep is one of those fruit packed with antioxidant, minerals and fiber. The pulp is use to make juice.

Sweetsop

This fruit, Sweetsop is widely grown in tropical climate. Sweetsop in Jamaica has many names. Some country calls it sweet-apple, some call it custard apple and more. When separated into two, the flesh of the sweetsop is creamy white and light yellow. This fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, B6, and potassium. According to Fruits Info, “Magnesium which is present in custard apple helps in protecting the heart from cardio vascular diseases and relaxing the muscles.”They went on to say, “Sweetsop equalizes the water balance in the body and helps to remove the acids from joints thereby reducing the problem of rheumatism and arthritis.”

Over the years, people in Jamaica and around the world continue to enjoy these top 5 exotic fruits.