Canistel, also known as “egg fruit,” comes from the canistel tree and has a texture similar to a cooked egg yolk. The fruit is not widely available in North America due to its difficulty in growing in low temperatures. It is rich in vitamins and nutrients and is used in desserts, smoothies, and even pumpkin pie recipes in Florida.
Canistel fruit comes from the canistel tree, an evergreen tree that grows as far north as Mexico and as far south as Brazil. The fruit is often colloquially referred to as “egg fruit.” When ripe it is said to have a texture similar to that of a well-cooked egg yolk. The flesh is raw sweet and edible.
The exterior of a canistel fruit is a glossy rind that varies in shades of yellow and orange as it ripens. It’s soft, rather than crunchy, and it’s not particularly juicy. Inside the fruit are a few large shiny black or dark brown seeds. Some have compared the fruit to persimmons.
While these fruits are not readily available in most North American markets, they are available in Florida. The meat is sometimes incorporated into desserts, such as ice cream and puddings, buy Florida chefs. Their fruits are also appreciated when seasoned with mayonnaise, salt, pepper and a citrus juice such as lemon or lime. This recipe can be enjoyed raw or lightly cooked.
Canistel smoothies are also popular in Florida. Sometimes they are referred to as “eggnog”. In fact, some people have actually replaced the pumpkin filling with canistel pulp in pumpkin pie recipes. Such cakes are assumed to be quite delicious. In places where fruits are plentiful, they’re also incorporated into muffins, pancakes, and even spreads for toast.
Like most fruits, canistel fruits are packed with numerous vitamins and nutrients. They are particularly rich in carotene and niacin and also have a good amount of ascorbic acid. While they are not particularly common in most of North America, many food scientists and nutritionists believe they are a very healthy food and should be incorporated into the diet if possible.
One reason the fruits aren’t readily available in North America is that it’s difficult to grow them here. Canistel cannot tolerate low temperatures. While they can grow in parts of Florida, they have never been able to thrive in California. As they have not become very popular, they are not imported for distribution in all northern state markets. If you are interested in trying fruit, you may need to take a trip to Florida, Mexico or South America.
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