Forget apples, pears and clementines. In some parts of the world, fruit isn’t just sphere-shaped with a colorful peel. In Hawaii, for example, they eat a fruit with multicolored spikes that looks more like a Pokemon than something edible.
The mysterious fruit comes from a tree called the “Hala” or “Pandanus” depending on the region. According to Playground Mag, it grows near white, sandy beaches and clear, blue water.
Before you peel it, the hala kind of looks like a big green pineapple. When you open it up, you’ll see a white core surrounded by petal-like spikes that go from yellow to orange to red. It’s almost like the plumage of a dinosaur or parrot.
Given how beautiful it looks, it’s no surprise the fruit is more or less worshiped. The hala or pandanus actually figures in several myths and proverbs, but eating it is another story entirely. It’s a great source of Vitamin C, it’s fairly sweet, its texture is similar to a pineapple, and you chew on it more than you actually eat it.
A drink is also made from it by turning the fruit into a powder and mixing it into water. The leaves of the Hala tree are also useful for adding flavor to curries and jams.
In the Pacific, hala is also known for its medicinal properties. It can help fight off colds, asthma, and even cancer. In addition to being edible, it also has its practical uses: when dried, its fibers can be used for necklaces, dresses, baskets, rugs, or even balls for children to play with. So the lovely fruit is more than just strikingly beautiful, it’s also quite useful.
Sourced from: Konbini, written by Sirine Azouaoui