Durian

Coconut is the most versatile of all plants that I ever knew. From the fruits, to the leaves, to the trunk almost all parts of it can be used for something. The leaves we used for wrapping a delicacy we call “suman” (glutinous rice wrapped in coconut leaves). The inner part of the leaves is…

Star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito) is a fruit that is sweet and juicy but has that latex feel in your mouth.  I remember when I was young, our mouths will be dusty after eating this fruit because the dirt clings into this glue like substance that is in the skin of the fruits.   In the Philippines,…

I was born in Iba, Zambales, Philippines and during the summer time when I was growing up, we always enjoy eating mangoes coming from my grandparents farm. They have quite a number of mango trees and different varieties too. We have the big one we call “dinamulag” which literally means ‘like carabao’ because it is…

Guava is a popular fruit in the Philippines but it is seasonal. During rainy season that’s when it is most abundant. There are several varieties of guava that is native to the Philippines that I know of but the guava java which is an import variety from Indonesia hence the name, became the most popular….

Calamansi or calamondin – (citrofortunella) is our lemon counterpart  in the Philippines. It is a fruit but is more widely use as a condiment.  It is a good accompaniment for pancit or rice noodles, rice porridge or arroz caldo and also can be juiced for a refreshing drink.  It is sometimes used in “sinigang” or…

Rambutan is one of those exotic fruits that it would take real courage to begin trying and eat it. But once you tried it, you’re hook for life. It is sweet and refreshing. Rambutan is an Indonesian word meaning “hairy” and the fruit is hairy so everyone calls it rambutan even in Philippines. It is…