07 Mar More exotic tree fruits: kumquats, caimitas (star apple), and mountain apples

Now that citrus season is winding down, we’re finding new tree fruits to enjoy! Kumquats are a little bigger than large grapes, and are eaten whole, despite their orange-peel appearance! The skin breaks easily under your teeth and immediately a sweet and sour burst of juice floods your mouth like a really enjoyable lemon head – finishing with more of an orange note as the whole thing is devoured in one bite.

Caimita, star apple, or cream apple — isn’t much like an apple at all! It’s eaten by cutting in half and scooping out the soft middle center. Cutting it open reveals the star shape of the seeds. Despite the brilliant purple skin and flesh, it has an incredibly smooth and creamy juice, with just a hint of mild sweetness.

Mountain apples are pretty similar to North American apples, but are smaller, oblong, with a thinner skin. Their flavor and texture is more like a pear, very subtle and soft when ripe, not crisp. Mountain apples have a powerful rose aroma, which balances out their mild flavor nicely.