Typically when someone asks us what we're growing on our farm, it's assumed we grow plantains, bananas, coffee, avocado and citrus. These are the crops grown by most farmers on the island.
Although our farm produces the above crops, as well as vianda (root vegetables), papaya, guava and gandules (a.k.a. pigeon peas), all of which grow very well in the Caribbean and in the tropics, we decided to do something completely different and grow fruits from around the tropical world.
The following is a list of what we've planted on the farm. Because most of what we've planted are still in their infancy (meaning they haven't fruited yet), we don't have photos of what they'll look like when mature. Consequently, all photos are courtesy of Govardhan Gardens.
ABUI
Abiu
Abiu is yellow and delicious with a translucent white skin. It has the consistency of jelly or jam. When aibu is completely ripe, you can enjoy it “as-is,” use it in sherbet, or make jelly from it.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Abiu
Botanical Name: Pouteria caimito
Maximum height when fully grown: 30 FT
Will start fruiting in: 3-4 years
ACEROLA
Acerola is a red fruit with a distinct and appetizing flavor and contains high levels of vitamin C. Acerola is often eaten raw, and it can also be used in jellies and jams and juices.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Acerola
Botanical Name: Malpighia punicifolia
Maximum height when fully grown: 18 FT
Will start fruiting in: 2-3 years
TROPICAL ALMOND
Tropical Almond
The tropical almond is a nut tree that is a native of Malaysia. The seeds of this fruit are delectably edible, although you have to crack the tough outer shell to get to them. This tree can also be found in the tropics, lining the streets and beaches.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Tropical Almond, Almendra
Botanical Name: Terminalia catappa
Maximum height when fully grown: 25 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-6 years
ALUPAG
Alupag
The fruits of the alupag tree are small and have a bumpy exterior. These fruits are similar to the longan tree and fruit. The alupag fruits are ripe when their outer skin turns brown. The more popular longan is subtropical, so the alupag makes a good tropical substitute. It can be enjoyed fresh, dried or canned in syrup.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Alupag
Botanical Name: Euphoria didyma
Maximum height when fully grown: 30 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-6 years
AVOCADO
Avocado
The fruit of the avocado tree are delicious and full of nutrients. Avocados can be enjoyed as a complement to your main dish by simply slicing them and adding balsamic vinegar, in salads and as a dip, with guacamole being the most popular.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Avocado
Botanical Name: Persea americana
Maximum height when fully grown: 40 FT
Will start fruiting in: 3-5 years
BLUE GRAPE
Blue Grape
The blue grape is a relative of the jaboticaba fruit. They have a purplish-blue hue and taste similar to regular grapes. They can be enjoyed just like they are, or used to make various drinks.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Blue Grape
Botanical Name: Myrciaria vexator
Maximum height when fully grown: 15 FT
Will start fruiting in: 3-4 years
BREADFRUIT
Breadfruit
The breadfruit is a tropical fruit which is green in color, but because of its sap, appears yellow when ripe. It has a starchy flavor and is cooked into many dishes. Breadfruit is even sometimes cooked like a vegetable: boiled, fried, baked or roasted. It is rich with nutrients. if you own goats, the leaves are among their favorites.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Breadfruit
Botanical Name: Artocarpus altilis
Maximum height when fully grown: 70 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-5 years
BREADNUT
Breadnut
Breadfruit comes in seedless and seeded form. The seeded form is called Breadnut. The seeds of this fruit are edible and can be eaten roasted and slated, pureed, steamed or boiled. Like the breadfruit, the breadnut is high in nutrients. Like Breadfruit, the leaves of Breadnut are among goats' favorite to consume.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Breadnut
Botanical Name: Artocarpus altilis
Maximum height when fully grown: 70 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-7 years
CABELLUDA
Cabeluda
The cabelluda fruit is a native of Brazil. It is yellow in color and has a deliciously sweet and tangy flavor. Cabelludas can be eaten fresh or used to make jams or juices.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Cabelluda
Botanical Name: Myrciaria glazioviana
Maximum height when fully grown: 6-12 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-7 years
CACAO, COCOA
The seeds of this fruit are used to produce cocoa butter and chocolate. The fruit is also edible.
Fruit Facts:
Common Name: Cacao, Cocoa
Botanical Name: Theobroma cacao
Maximum height when fully grown: 25 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-6 years
CAIMITO
Caimito
Caimito is a lovely tree that bears a purple fruit, containing green and purple seedlings. The flesh of the fruit is very sweet and is often eaten fresh, but can also be used to make beverages and jams.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Caimito
Botanical Name: Chrysophyllum cainito
Maximum height when fully grown: 50 FT
Will start fruiting in: 5-7 years
CAMBUCA
Cambuca
Cambuca fruits are yellow to bright orange-yellow when they are ripe. The flesh of the fruit is tasty and sweet. You can eat cambucas as they are when ripe, or use them to make pies, juices, jellies or jams.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Cambuca
Botanical Name: Marliera edulis
Maximum height when fully grown: 18 FT
Will start fruiting in: 6-8 years
CARAMBOLA
Carambola
Carambola has earned the nickname starfruit because when the ripe fruit is sliced it looks like a star. The fruit of the carambola has a unique taste, ranging anywhere from sour to sweet.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Carambola, Starfuit
Botanical Name: Averrhoa carambola
Maximum Height when fully grown: 30 FT
Will start fruiting in: 5-8 years
CHERRY MANGOSTEEN
Cherry Mangosteen
This member of the mangosteen family is cherry sized, hence the name. Cherry mangosteens are deliciously juicy. They are often enjoyed fresh, but can also be used to enhance the flavor of your favorite dishes and they can be juiced.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Cherry Mangosteen
Botanical Name: Garcinia intermedia, Rheedia edulis
Maximum Height when fully grown: 25 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-8 years
GRUMICHAMA
Grumichama
Grumichama is a small, tasty fruit, very similar to a cherry. They come in yellow and purple varieties. Grumichamas can be eaten as they are, or used to make desserts.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Grumichama
Botanical Name: Eugenia dombeyi
Maximum Height when fully grown: 18 FT
Will start fruiting in: 3-4 years
GUANABANA, SOURSOP
Guanabana
The fruit of the guanabana (also know as soursop or graviola) tree is a very tasty fruit. Guanabana is often enjoyed fresh, but is also used to add flavor to drinks or desserts.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Guanabana, Soursop
Botanical Name: Annona muricata
Maximum Height when fully grown: 25 FT
Will start fruiting in: 3-5 years
ICE CREAM BEAN
Ice Cream Bean
This succulent, sweet treat is very popular. The seeds of the ice cream bean are eaten straight out of the ripened pod.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Ice Cream Bean
Botanical Name: Inga spectabilis
Maximum Height when fully grown: 65 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-7 years
JABOTICABA
Jaboticaba
The jaboticaba fruit is small, black and very similar to a grape. It is most often used to make jellies, jams or wine.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Jaboticaba
Botanical Name: Myrciaria cauliflora
Maximum Height when fully grown: 6-12 FT
Will start fruiting in: 5-8 years
JACKFRUIT
Jackfruit
Because its average weight can exceed 100 pounds, the Jackfruit is considered the world's largest tropical fruit. Despite its reputation for having a bad smell while it is ripening, it is delicious and can be enjoyed raw or cooked.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Jackfruit
Botanical Name: Artocarpus heterophyllus
Maximum Height when fully grown: 35 FT
Will start fruiting in: 3-5 years
LIME
Sweet Lime
The lime is a popular fruit that is sour and has a variety of uses. It can be used to decorate food dishes and beverages, infused into various dishes, used as zest to enhance flavor or added ti beverages and desserts.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Lime
Botanical Name: Citrus aurantifolia
Maximum Height when fully grown: 20 FT
Will start fruiting in: 5-7 years
TROPICAL LUCUMA
The lucuma is a delicious fruit that's rich in nutrients. It has a unique texture. Lucumas are often eaten fresh, however powdered lucuma can add a little punch to ice cream and make it even yummier.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Lucuma, Tropical; Jacanta
Botanical Name: Pouteria Multiflora
Maximum Height when fully grown: 30 FT
Will start fruiting in: 6-8 years
MADRONO
A cousin of the mangosteen, Madrono's fruit is yellow with translucent white flesh. Madrono has a pleasant smell, but equally memorable is its acidic taste. Madronos can be eaten raw or used to make jams and jellies.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Sweet Madrono
Botanical Name: Garcinia Madruno
Maximum Height when fully grown: 18 FT
Will start fruiting in: 6-8 years
MAMEY SAPOTE
Very common in the tropics, Mamey sapote has a sweet and distinctive flavor. Mamey sapote can be eaten raw (and tastes best when it's extremely ripe, with the skin on the verge of rotting) and it's equally delicious in smoothies.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Mamey sapote
Botanical Name: Pouteria sapota
Maximum Height when fully grown: 18 FT
Will start fruiting in: 7-12 years
MANDARIN
A type of orange, Mandarins are sweet and juicy. Eat it right off the tree, zest the skin to add zing to your desserts and cooking and/or use the fruit to make tarts, jams and jellies. It's also a great topper on ice cream.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Mandarin
Botanical Name: Citrus Riticulata
Maximum Height when fully grown: 18 FT
Will start fruiting in: 3-5 years
MANGO
People can't quite place the flavor of a mango. Some think it's similar to a peach; others say it's almost like an apricot or even similar to a Mamey sapote. Whatever fruit you compare mangoes to, words like sweet, juicy, yummy, drippy and even a little messy are other common ways to describe the mango. Pull them off the tree and eat them or you can enjoy them in desserts, jams and jellies. Mangoes are not just delicious, they're packed in nutrition as well.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Mango
Botanical Name: Mangifera indica
Maximum Height when fully grown: 30 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-6 years
NONI
Rarely do people describe Noni as delicious or in any way inviting. Distinctly different in flavor and smell, Noni isn't consumed because it tastes good, but because of its medicinal reasons. Said to ail in myriad illnesses, such as diabetes and cancer, many swear by the health properties of Noni.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Noni
Botanical Name: Morinda citrifolia
Maximum Height when fully grown: 25 FT
Will start fruiting in: 1-2 years
OKARI NUT
Related to the tropical almond, the Okari nut larger in size and its reddish shell is distinctive in color. People often use the word delicious, exceptional and addictive when enjoying the Okari nut.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Okari nut
Botanical Name: Terminalia karenbachiii
Maximum Height when fully grown: 45 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-6 years
PASSION FRUIT
Known for its distinctive, sometimes sour, sometimes sweet flavor and edible soft seeds, the Passion Fruit is not just delicious. Used to treat a variety of ailments, Passion Fruit is very popular in the tropical world.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Passion fruit
Botanical Name: Passiflora edulis
Maximum Height when fully grown: N/A it's a vine
Will start fruiting in: 6-18 months
FRENCH PEANUT / MANI
Native to Madagascar, the French peanut is very aromatic when growing.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: French peanut
Botanical Name: Pachcira Aquatica
Maximum Height when fully grown:
PITANGATUBA
Smaller than a Carambola and larger than the Surinam cherry, Pitangatube are delightful in flavor with bursts of "wow!" in them. That's the only way to describe them.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Pitangatube
Botanical Name: Eugenia neonitida
Maximum Height when fully grown: 8 ft
Will start fruiting in: 2-4 years
PULASAN
Very popular in the tropical world, Pulasan is succulent and delicious. It's also got a very pleasant fragrance.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Pualasan
Botanical Name: Nephelium Mutabile
Maximum Height when fully grown: 25 ft.
Will start fruiting in: 5-7 years
RAMBUTAN
Rambutan is a well known tropical fruit. The outer skin is red and hairy, while the inside is white or pink. Rambutan usually has a sweet taste, but occasionally it can be sour. The seeds of this fruit can be eaten if they are cooked; however they are poisonous if they are consumed raw.
Fruit facts
Common Name: Rambutan
Botanical Name: Nephelium lappaceum
Maximum height when fully grown: 35 FT
Will start fruiting in: 4-5 years
RASPBERRY MYSORE
Raspberries are a sweet, delicious fruit that turn from red to purple or black when they are ripe. They have a high nutritional value and are eaten fresh, or used in a variety of desserts.
Fruit facts
Common Name: Mysore Raspberry
Botanical Name: Rubus albescens
Maximum height when fully grown: Cane
Will start fruiting in: 1-2 years
SURINAM CHERRY
This mostly red, sometimes black fruit ranges in its flavor from absolutely wonderful to almost inedible. This delectable fruit is often eaten raw (try it with a little sugar!) or used to make preserves.
Fruit Facts
Common Name: Surinam Cherry
Botanical Name: Eugenia Uniflora
Maximum Height when fully grown: 25 FT
Will start fruiting in: 2-3 years