Unusual Fruit Tree Names
Have you ever wondered where some of the common names we give to plants come from? And why there are some of them which just sound quite unexpected, like “Buddha’s hand” or “Ice cream bean”?
We’re sure you have, and we did too. So we decided to do some research and find out more about the most interesting and unique fruit tree names and their origins. As it turns out, the names that people give to plants and fruit can most of the times tell us quite a bit about their history and how they are used or eaten.
Let’s enter the gallery of wonderful and extraordinary fruit tree names.
Lisptick tree (Bixa orellana) — open fruit and seeds
Miracle tree, drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera)
Origin: Asia
This tree makes other trees want to take vitamin supplements! Its leaves are packed with proteins and vitamins, and the pods even dress up as drumsticks for a botanical percussion show.
Chocolate pudding fruit (Diospyros digyna)
Origin: Central America
Picture this: tasting the ripe fruit is like dipping your spoon into a Nutella jar – only, it's a fruit, not chocolate spread!
Ice cream bean, Indian marshmallow (Inga edulis)
Origin: South America
The ripe pods are the real ice cream dream! Bite into them, and it's like a marshmallow in an ice cream wonderland. Who needs cones and scoops?
Lisptick tree (Bixa orellana)
Origin: South America
The vibrant red of the seeds resembles the color of lipstick. It has been used traditionally as body paint by the Indians and is now widely used as a coloring agent in food.
Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)
Origin: Europe
It's actually a strawberry imposter. Its red fruit resembles strawberries, but don't be fooled. It's not actually related to strawberries. It is more tart and less sweet than a strawberry.
Cotton candy tree (Muntigia calabura)
Origin: Central America
Ever wondered what cotton candy grows on? Well, it's this tree! When you bite into its fruit, it melts in your mouth like you're at the county fair.
Pineapple guava (Acca sellowiana)
Origin: South America
It's like a tropical fruit mashup – pineapple and guava decided to have a flavor party, and this fruit is the delicious result!
Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola)
Origin: Asia
This fruit is basically the Hollywood celebrity of the fruit world – every slice is a five-pointed star!
Peanut butter tree (Bunchosia argentea)
Origin: South America
Forget the sandwich, just head to this tree! Its fruit has a creamy, nutty flavor that's like nature's peanut butter.
Apricot palm tree, jelly palm tree (Butia capitata)
Origin: South America
It is so versatile that you can eat the fruit, make jelly with it, or even use it to make a delicious cocktail. The fruit of this tree is sweet and juicy, and it's perfect for snacking on.
Buddha's hand (Citrus medica digitata)
Origin: Asia
Mother Nature decided to do some hand modelling, and the result is a fruit that looks like it belongs in a meditation session!
Dragon’s eye (Dimocarpus longan)
Origin: Asia
It's like nature's little optical illusion – small, round, and translucent, with a seed that gives you the eye. Dragon-approved!
Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus)
Origin: South America
The name is derived from its unique appearance, where the spikes resemble fire and the scales resemble that of a dragon, as depicted in Chinese mythology.
Caviar lime (Microcitrus australasica)
Origin: Oceania
Sliced open, these little vesicles look like caviar stars making a guest appearance in your dishes. Get ready for a posh party in your mouth!
Delicious monster, fruit salad tree (Monstera deliciosa)
Origin: South America
It's a monster-sized name for a monster-sized flavor! Ripe fruit is a tropical party of pineapple, banana, and strawberry all in one – a fruity fiesta!
Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)
Origin: Central America
It's like a pear that went to a punk rock concert and came back with a whole lot of spikes.
Carne do Pobre, meat for the poor (Pereskia aculeata)
Forget filet mignon, we've got cactus leaves that are the budget-friendly, vitamin-packed alternative! The plant is also called “Ora pro nobis” (pray for us) possibly as a way to express gratitude for the sustenance it provided.
Elephant toe banana (Musa balbisiana Lep chang kut)
Origin: Asia
Small banana, big personality! This little guy has the shape of an elephant's toe, but it's all about deliciousness.
Tomato tree (Solanum betaceum)
Origin: South America
It's like a tomato with dreams of being a tree when it grows up. Huge leaves, quirky tomato-like fruits, and a burst of tangy sweetness - it's Mother Nature's overachiever, proving that even tomatoes can aim for the stars!
Melon pear plant (Solanum muricatum)
Origin: South America
The melon pear plant is so delicious that it's like a pear and a melon had a baby. This fruit is native to South America and has a sweet, melon-like flavor.
Chinese winter date (Ziziphus jujuba)
Origin: Asia
It's the fruit that's basically telling us, "Summer's over, folks!" Tastes like a date, ripens when you're already reminiscing about beach days.
Gin berry (Glycosmis pentaphylla)
Origin: Asia
Gin berry is the common name though it’s not well documented why it is called so. Here, we tried the berries and they really taste like gin. They have similarities in flavor, aroma, and appearance of its fruit to juniper berries. Santé! Saúde!
Rose apple (Syzygium jambos)
Origin: Asia
The rose apple is the fruit world's undercover agent – it looks like an apple, smells like a rose, and tastes like a tropical vacation. It's the fruity surprise party you never knew you needed!
All of these unusually-named fruit trees and other edible plants are available at the Orchard of Flavours edible botanical garden, in Tavira, Algarve, for you to see, smell, touch and maybe even taste!
Pay us a visit one of these days and explore the world of flavours we’re growing.
This article was compiled by Miguel COTTON & Miguel PEREIRA. If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact us. miguel@orchardofflavours.com