Fruit at a HK Market

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Visiting a Hong Kong fruit market is an interesting expereince to say the least.  Exotic, very exotic compared to what is offered at Superstore in Red Deer.  Here are some examples of what one can purchase at a typical open air fruit market.

 

Durian

If you’ve smelled a durian even once, you probably remember it. Even with the husk intact, the notorious Asian fruit has such a potent stench that it’s banned on the Singapore Rapid Mass Transit. Food writer Richard Sterling has written “its odor is best described as…turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled from yards away.”
Naturalist Alfred Wallace:

The five cells are silky-white within, and are filled with a mass of firm, cream-coloured pulp, containing about three seeds each. This pulp is the edible part, and its consistence and flavour are indescribable. A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes. Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else possesses, but which adds to its delicacy. It is neither acidic nor sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these qualities, for it is in itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other bad effect, and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop. In fact, to eat Durians is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience. ... as producing a food of the most exquisite flavour it is unsurpassed.[3

 

Durian can boost your immune system, prevent cancer and inhibit free radical activity, improve digestion, strengthen bones, reduces signs of anemia, cure insomnia, prevent premature aging, lower blood pressure, and protect against cardiovascular diseases.

 Longan
The longan (from Cantonese lùhng-ngáahn 龍眼, literally "dragon eye"), is so named because it resembles an eyeball when its fruit is shelled (the black seed shows through the translucent flesh like a pupil/iris).
The fruit is sweet, juicy and succulent in superior agricultural varieties.The taste is different from lychees; while longan have a drier sweetness, lychees are often messily juicy with a more tropical, sour sweetness.
Longan fruit contains rich amount of Vitamin C that is equal to 80% of daily requirement. It also contains minerals like iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. It is also rich in Vitamin A and essential in anti-oxidants.

Roseapples
Some of the health benefits of rose apples include their ability to detoxify the liver, improve digestion, protect against diabetes, improve the immune system, lower cholesterol, prevent certain types of cancers, eliminate fungal and bacterial infections, reduce fevers, and even halt epileptic seizures.
Despite of the misleading name, rose apples are not related to roses or apples. In fact, rose apples are most closely related to guava, and although there are multiple species, the most commonly eaten variety has the scientific name Syzygium jambos.
Its flavor is similar to a snow pear, and the liquid-to-flesh ratio of the wax apple is comparable to a watermelon.

Satsuma Plum
Maybe the most well known of all blood plums, the Satsuma plum is a mid season plum, largest in size, rounded dark red, firm juicy spicy flesh, described by one local nurseryman here as having a ‘satisfying clove like depth’ of flavour. The Satsuma plum is a good bearer, useful for preserving and bottling, partly self fertile and gives even bigger crops if cross pollinated.

Helps manage high blood pressure and reduce stroke risk. 

 Mango

• One cup of mangos is just 100 calories, so it’s a satisfyingly sweet treat.
• Each serving of mango is fat free, sodium free and cholesterol free.
• Mangos contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, helping to make them a superfood.

• In many Latin American countries, mango on a stick with the skin peeled back is sold by street vendors
• Mangos can be enjoyed with salt, lime juice or chili powder for a unique flavor experience
• Mangos have natural tenderizing properties, making them a perfect ingredient for marinades
• Try the versatile mango in smoothies, salads, salsas, chutneys, on fish, chicken or pork, as a dessert or just plain as a delicious snack

Sugar Apple
The flesh is fragrant and sweet, creamy white through light yellow, and resembles and tastes like custard. 
Sugar apple is a rich source of essential nutrients and vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B and antioxidants which are vital for maintaining healthy and youthful looking skin. Regular intake of sugar apple is equally effective towards delaying ageing, preventing sunburn and promoting the rejuvenation of the skin cells. 

Lychee
If you can get your hands on some fresh lychees (they're in season in May and June in the northern hemisphere), you will probably be delighted by the taste and texture (it's somewhat like a grape).  
The flavonoids, fiber and antioxidants in lychees may support heart health.


  

Mangosteen
The fruit of the mangosteen is sweet and tangy, juicy, somewhat fibrous, with fluid-filled vesicles (like the flesh of citrus fruits), with an inedible, deep reddish-purple colored rind (exocarp) when ripe.[2
Mangosteens have been used in numerous anti-cancer studies, with positive results. One study showed how mangosteens can significantly slow the growth of cancerous colorectal tumors.¹ Another indicated the potential to successfully slow prostate cancer.²
Fun fact.  Queen Victora's favorite fruit was the mangosteen.

Pamolo
Pomelos are considered citrus fruits, and are closely related to grapefruits and the other members of the Citrus genus. 
Pomelos are a very good source of potassium, and each fruit contains roughly 37% of your daily requirement. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it releases the tension of blood vessels and promotes increased blood circulation and oxygenation of organ systems. It also reduces strain on the heart and lowers your chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Dragon Fruit

Tastes kind of like kiwi.  Really good eaten cold.  Also known as pitaya, these fun-looking fruits contain around 60 calories each and are rich in vitamin C, B1, B2 and B3, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. And that’s not all. This is definitely one of the best "super fruits" out there.


So one reason why the life span of south east Asians is so long is because of their diet.  Rich in life giving nutrients southeast Asian fruits not only taste good, but are GOOD for you too.  Totally win win.

Have a great week.  Love adios and ping on!

Dirk