Indian Fig
The Indian fig, also known as prickly pear or cactus fruit, resembles a pear shape encased in sharp, small spines. It comes in various colors, including red, yellow, and green, and can reach lengths of up to 7.5 cm. The edible part consists of the flesh along with the seeds, offering a sweet taste and numerous health benefits.
Mango
Recognized as one of the most delicious fruits in Africa, mangoes originate from the western region of the continent. Their oval shape can be comparable in size to a coconut, featuring a tough exterior skin in shades of red, yellow, and green. The inner flesh is yellow and contains a relatively large single pit.
Soursop
Also referred to as the Annona tree or sugar apple, soursop is native to Egypt and resembles a spiny apple. The fruit has a white interior pulp with black seeds; the edible part is the white flesh. It can weigh up to 2.5 kg and is highly nutritious, rich in vitamins B1, B2, C, and fructose, along with easily digestible carbohydrates.
Kiwano
Commonly known as African horned cucumber or horned melon, the kiwano’s appearance resembles an orange hedgehog the size of an orange. Its unique exterior is bright orange, while the interior flesh shines in a dark emerald hue, housing white seeds packed with vitamin C, minerals, and beneficial nutrients.
Miracle Fruit
This small tree, akin to red berries, is part of the Sapotaceae family, and its fruits range from 2 to 3 cm in size. It is famously recognized for its extraordinary properties but has no specific name due to its magical characteristics. The fruit contains miraculin, a protein that alters taste buds for up to two hours after consumption, making everything taste sweet. However, once the fruit is stored, it loses its magical effects.
Ackee
Aackee is a fruit deemed hazardous, as unripe specimens are toxic if subjected to improper cooking practices. The elongated pear-like fruit is bright orange or shiny red and can grow up to 9 cm long. The flesh is safe to consume, provided it is boiled in water for no less than ten minutes to avoid poisoning.
Marula
The Marula plant is utilized extensively by African communities, with its small plum-like fruits being edible. The oil is extracted from the seeds’ pulp, and the plant’s leaves serve as an essential feed source for livestock. This fruit is rich in protein, natural antioxidants, and oleic acid.
African Pear
African pear trees can grow up to 40 meters tall and produce edible fruits. The pears are oval-shaped and come in purple or blue hues. The inner flesh, which is dark green, can be consumed raw, boiled, or fried, offering multiple health benefits, making it a nutritious, calorie-dense fruit rich in triglycerides, vitamins, and amino acids.
Banana
Bananas are a significant agricultural trade commodity for several countries, known for their ease of transport, commercial viability, and storage. High in nutritional value, bananas are rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals, helping combat rheumatism, scurvy, depression, and fatigue. They can be enjoyed fresh, cooked after being dried to make bread, or sliced and fried in oil.