Exotic tropical fruits are a new and growing industry
in Hawaii. There are 390 acres devoted to exotic tropical fruit production in the state,
64% of that is located on the Big Island. Many fruits, most of them native to Southeast
Asia and South America, are included as exotic tropical fruits. Some of the most popular
of these are: carambola - yellow-orange in color, about 6 inches long, and having 5 wings
which form a star shape when the fruit is cross-sectioned; lychee and rambutan - small,
bright red with a sweet grape-like flavor; atemoya and cherimoya - green colored and
shaped like the human heart, their sweet, white custard flesh make them delicious
fresh-eating fruits; mangosteen - purple with white, soft flesh and prized by some as the
most delicious of fruits; durian - a large green, spiked fruit, claimed by some to be an
aphrodisiac; mango - a well-known and desired tropical fruit. These tropical fruits are
sold fresh to hotels, restaurants, and food stores during harvest season. To extend their
uses, some are also processed into juices and some are dried.
Exotic tropical fruits are a new and growing industry
in Hawaii. There are 390 acres devoted to exotic tropical fruit production in the state,
64% of that is located on the Big Island. Many fruits, most of them native to Southeast
Asia and South America, are included as exotic tropical fruits. Some of the most popular
of these are: carambola - yellow-orange in color, about 6 inches long, and having 5 wings
which form a star shape when the fruit is cross-sectioned; lychee and rambutan - small,
bright red with a sweet grape-like flavor; atemoya and cherimoya - green colored and
shaped like the human heart, their sweet, white custard flesh make them delicious
fresh-eating fruits; mangosteen - purple with white, soft flesh and prized by some as the
most delicious of fruits; durian - a large green, spiked fruit, claimed by some to be an
aphrodisiac; mango - a well-known and desired tropical fruit. These tropical fruits are
sold fresh to hotels, restaurants, and food stores during harvest season. To extend their
uses, some are also processed into juices and some are dried.