22 Exotic Tropical Fruits of Colombia (2017 Update)

Colombia has a tremendous number of exotic tropical fruits available.  An old article on this site about 11 exotic tropical fruits of Colombia is one of the most popular articles on this website.  But there are actually many more tropical fruits available in Colombia. So we are providing an update with several more tropical fruits of Colombia. We have now doubled the number we cover to 22 tropical fruits.

According to the System of Information regarding Colombia’s Biodiversity there are almost 55,000 species living here. Approximately 3,000 orchids and plants are endemic, or native, to Colombia. Almost 18 percent of the world’s birds reside here. There are nearly 400 different species of bees.

So it should come as no surprise that Colombia also has a staggering number of edible fruits. And I set out to try as many as possible sold here in Medellín.  I purchased the majority at my local Carulla grocery store, but also bought a few in the Minorista market and from fruit vendors in El Centro.

The 22 tropical fruits in this article are listed in alphabetical order.

1. Badea

The Badea is part of the Passiflora genus (Passionflower). It is green, ranges from 10-30 centimeters long and 8-16 centimeters wide. It has white, spongy flesh. Also it can tend toward being a little mealy and bland. However, there are hard, flattened seeds in the center which are juicy and used for juice. It is high in calcium, phosphorous, and niacin.

2. Borojó

This round, dark brown fruit is touted as Colombia’s natural Viagra and often sold in juice or jam form, which is said to provide sustained energy due to high levels of B vitamins. It grows in the northwest area of Colombia in the Chocó department.

I tried it at a fruit shop in Los Torres de Bomboná (Cl. 47 #4260, El Centro). And I found it a little bitter but interesting. It is high in phosphorus as well as protein, a rarity for fruit.

3. Carambolo (a.k.a. Starfruit)

This beautiful star shaped yellow fruit has a waxy exterior and juicy interior. It can be eaten as is – skin and all. For me, the flavor was a cross between an apple and a grape and I liked the crisp texture. Low in calories, high in fiber and vitamin C, macerated carambola can be mixed with aguardiente and left to sit for 45 days to create a delicious liqueur.

4. Cherimoya (a.k.a. Custard Apple)

This green, heart shaped fruit is covered in layers of tender skin that resemble petals. It has a very soft, creamy and sweet flesh that I ate straight from the fruit. It’s also excellent in smoothies, mousse and pie fillings. The large black seeds are toxic and can actually be used as an insecticide when crushed. It is high in fiber, vitamin C and potassium.

5. Chontaduro

The fruit vendors of El Centro are excellent place to find chontaduro, a small red-orange fruit which is from the Pacific region. This palm fruit contains as much protein as eggs, liposoluble vitamins, zinc, cooper, calcium, iron, beta-carotene and helps lowering cholesterol levels, due to its high contents of omega 3 and 6. Due to extremely hard flesh it needs to be cooked before eating.

6. Curuba

I found this fruit from the Passiflora genus to be quite bland. It looks a little like a small straight banana. The skin is thin and soft and the inside is full of orange seeds which I scooped out and ate with a spoon. Apparently is it delicious when mixed with milk and sugar. It has a high pectin content and is often used in jams.

7. Feijoa

A small green ovoid fruit with a thick skin, I found this fruit to smell like flowery perfume. It had the strongest aroma of all the fruits I tried. With creamy soft white flesh inside, I simply scooped out spoonfuls to eat. However, I found the soapy, intense smell and flavor to be unpleasant.

8. Granadilla

Another fruit from the Passiflora genus, this round yellow fruit has a thick, slippery exterior. Inside it is full of edible dark seeds surrounded by pulp. Often used for juices, it can also be eaten fresh and tastes like a mild maracuyá.  High in vitamins A, C and K as well as phosphorous, iron and calcium.

9. Guama (or Guaba)

This is a less common but reportedly delicious fruit that is pretty unique.  It’s a pod fruit and guama pods can be as long as your forearm and are bright or dark green in color.  When you open a guama you’ll see the fruit that looks like a row of cotton balls, each wrapped around a seed.  You eat the white part and spit out the seed.

Guama is reportedly anti-inflammatory and helps to lower blood pressure.  I looked and unfortunately couldn’t find a guama in Medellín but still hoping to find one to try.

10. Guanabana

A giant green spiky fruit that can weigh up to four kilograms, the guanábana wins the exotic looking award. I spotted these fruit when I was walking on a trail on the outskirts of Minca (near Santa Marta) and thought they looked amazing. However, for me, the white, juicy flesh has a weird slimy texture I didn’t like. Although not scientifically proven many believe it can assist in curing cancer.

11. Guayaba (Guava)

One of my favorite fruits, the guayaba looks like a small green pear. Cut it open and find a gorgeous pink interior that is fragrant and firm. There are hard little seeds within the flesh but they are edible too. Guayaba is the base for bocadillo, those delicious gelatinous bricks sold everywhere.  It is extremely high in vitamin C.

12. Gulupa

Yet another fruit from the Passiflora genus, this passionfruit is purple and has a tough, smooth exterior. Inside are dark seeds covered in gelatinous coating. Slightly sweet, it is best used in juice to bring out its flavor. Like all passionfruit, the gulupa can be used as a natural sedative.

13. Higo

A small green fruit that looks like a cactus (and does indeed grow on a cactus), the higo has a deep orange flesh which is quite watery and bland. There are tiny extremely hard seeds within the flesh that I disliked crunching on.

14. Lulo

I adore the lulo. The name, bright orange color, firm translucent interior and pretty seeds are beautiful and unique. Too tart to eat alone, simply scoop out the flesh and blend with ice, lime, water and sugar to make a refreshing drink. In traditional medicine lulo juice is used as a diuretic.

15. Mangosteen

Mangosteen fruit is a unique sweet, juicy and tangy tropical fruit.  It has a deep reddish-purple colored rind when its ripens.  It grows on an evergreen tree.  Natives in Southeast Asia call Mangosteens the “fruit of the gods” and it plays a part in traditional medicine in these cultures.

The Mangosteen contains a class of naturally occurring polyphenol compounds known as xanthones, which are antioxidants.  Xanthoneshave been shown to have several benefits, including being used as an anti-inflammatory. Different parts of the fruit and plant are used in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Mangosteens are rich in Vitamin C and are also low in calories (only about 63 calories per 100g). The taste of Mangosteen is reportedly a cross between peaches, clementines and mangoes.  It is sometimes difficult to find Mangosteens in Colombia as this is reportedly one of the rarest fruits in the world.  I was unable to find one before writing this article, but still included it in this list.

16. Mamoncillo

The fruit is also known as mamón, mamones, quenepa, guinep, limoncillo and several other names.  The fruit is somewhat like a cross between a lychee and a lime and it’s tangy and a little sweet.  They have a tight and thin, but rigid layer of skin, which are traditionally cracked by the teeth.  They grow on a branch and are green in color.

17. Maracuyá

Probably the most well-known fruit from the Passiflora genus, the maracuyá, often referred to as passionfruit, is extremely tart when eaten alone. It has thick yellow skin which becomes wrinkled when ripe. I like cutting off the very top, sprinkling sugar inside and mixing it up with the seeds and eating it by the spoonful. The thick skin makes a perfect biodegradable cup. Mostly though, it is used to make delicious juice.

18. Papaya

Another one of my favorite fruits, the papaya has a love it or hate it flavor for many people. It grows in abundance, can weigh anywhere from one to 20 pounds, and the tiny black seeds are said to be effective in getting rid of intestinal parasites. The firm flesh is a gorgeous orange color and I love eating it cubed by the bowlful. It is the basis for the beloved Colombian snack ‘salpicón,’ basically fruit salad swimming in pureed papaya.

19. Pitahaya

Also known as dragonfruit, probably because the thick yellow scales resemble those of a dragon, this fruit is considered native to Colombia. Inside, the firm white flesh is flecked with tiny black seeds. The skin easily peels away and the interior can be sliced. I thought it tasted like a kiwi. Highly recommended.

20. Tomate de Arbol

The skin is smooth, red or orange at maturity, with light colored streaks. The flesh is orange and juicy, slightly acidic, with numerous seeds. Although mostly used to make juice (a popular juice offered with the ‘menú del día’), it can also be eaten alone, or sprinkled with salt.

21. Uchuva

Can I have another favorite? I first tried uchuva when I visited the market at Parque Arví. The small, round, bright orange fruit caught my eye and when it was offered to me drizzled in chocolate I bought it immediately. It has a sweet tart flavor and a texture similar to a cherry.

22. Zapote

A round brown fruit whose skin has a texture somewhere between sandpaper and peach fuzz. Inside the flesh is creamy, dark orange and soft with two massive black seeds. I spit out my first bite, finding the flavor disgusting.  However, it is a popular fruit that is often made into milkshakes, smoothies and ice cream. The addition of dairy probably softens the strong flavor.

The Bottom Line – Tropical Fruits of Colombia

There are a tremendous number of tropical fruits available in Colombia.  You can find many at your local grocery stores. But to find some you may have to go to a market like Minorista, which has a bigger selection.

Are we missing any exotic tropical fruits of Colombia in our updated list?

How many have you tried and what’s your favorite Colombian fruit?

About Sonja

Sonja is from Whidbey Island, WA. She has traveled to 46 countries but never wanted to settle down in any of them until she discovered Medellin. She is currently living here in Medellín temporarily until she figures out how to be a permanent resident.

 

Reminder: Join our Medellín Living June Meetup on June 8 at 7pm at Sport Wings located at Mayorca mall in Sabaneta. This meetup is a good way to meet other expats like Sonja living in Medellín as well as newcomers visiting or considering moving to the city.