Surinam Cherries

Tamarind or sampalok as we call it in the Philippines is a versatile fruit. We can make it into candy or jam, we can use it in cooking as a souring agent for the ever popular “sinigang” or you can eat it as it is ripe or raw. Also the leaves were used too in…

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…

Star Fruit or Carambola,(I call it Balimbing), is becoming increasingly popular among the population especially here in Hawaii. A growing number of people find it not only refreshing to eat but also have healthy benefits like anti-oxidants and Vitamin C. It is mostly used as garnish for drinks because of the star shape of the…

Atis is sweet and taste like custard hence the name custard apple. The white flesh is segmented and each segment has black seed inside. It is related to soursop and the anonas. They have developed a hybrid of these fruits and call it Atemoya or Cherimoya. The flesh can be made into ice cream or…

Breadfruit or “rimas” as we call it in the Philippines can be prepared as a vegetable or a fruit but it has to be cooked. The Hawaiians call it “Ulu” and has been their staple food for decades. I like breadfruit the way my grandma prepares it. She steams it and cut them up and…

Jackfruit or “langka” is the biggest fruit in the fruit kingdom I think. Anyways, it is one of my favorites. I took this picture in the Philippines when I was there on vacation. I was just amazed to see the tree full of fruits. I remember growing up in the farm where my grandparents live….