Features (Page 11)

From its humble beginnings as a backyard crop, carambola is now one of Malaysia’s leading exports. Also known as starfruit for its star-shaped appearance when sliced, the commercial cultivation of carambola started in the 1970s. By 1988, exports to Hong Kong and Singapore markets were reported to reach 13,000 tonnes,Continue Reading

China is native to economically important tropical and subtropical fruits such as litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) and longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.). The country is also home to various citrus varieties and currently has numerous citrus germplasm resources.   Litchi and Longan   With numerous developments in Chinese agriculture, the litchiContinue Reading

The term “superfruit” refers to fruits that are purported to have exceptional nutritional benefits. Popular examples include pomegranate, mangosteen, acai berry, blackberry, blueberry, and cranberry.   Being classified as food, instead of pharmaceuticals, entrepreneurs can freely market superfruit products without the need for rigorous clinical trials. The lack of standardizedContinue Reading

Health and wellness drive the global product development in the superfood industry. A wide spectrum of issues, from obesity to undernutrition, leads the demand for healthier foods. Certain consumer groups are also open to new kinds of indulgence, instigating the race to develop new exotic flavors and authentic regional products.Continue Reading

Photos by Shree Padre                 For more information on Indian jackfruit products, contact Shree Padre at espadre@gmail.com.Continue Reading

Guava (Psidium guajava) is valued for its delectable taste and aroma. Guava can be considered as the ‘apple of the tropics’ for its high vitamin C and mineral content. It is native to tropical America where it occurs wild. Early Spanish and Portuguese colonizers brought it to New World, theContinue Reading

 Ishigaki Island is a part of the Yaeyama Islands, located southwest of Okinawa Prefecture. It is 410 km away from the main island of Okinawa and 1,950 km away from Tokyo City. With an area of 222.6 square meters, this small island is famous for its mangoes. In summer, mangoContinue Reading

Author:  Babasola Ayodele Adelaja, Director (Fruits and Spices), National Horticultural Research Institute, Idi-Ishin, Ibadan, Nigeria   It has been difficult to find an appropriate classification for the Baobab (Adansonia digitata – Bombacaceae) tree, considering its usefulness to man, livestock and the environment.  Call it a multipurpose tree and that willContinue Reading

Pomelo (Citrus grandis), the biggest citrus in the world, has a seductingly sweet and deliciously tart taste. Originating in  Southest Asia, legend has it that British seafarer Captain Shaddock brought pomelo to the Caribbean that led to its english name “shaddock.” It was then crossbred with sweet orange that gaveContinue Reading

China’s import of durian increased by 20.41% from 2009 to 2010, with a value of US$149.55 million. Malaysia succeeded in exporting approximately 200 metric tons of frozen durian to China, valued about 5 million USD. More details can be read here.   Here is Malaysia’s step-by-step process in preparing frozen durian pulpContinue Reading

Sapodilla or Manilkara zapota is a tropical fruit that can be found grown in South East Asia, South Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It is believed to have been originated from the Yucatan and Southern parts of Mexico, and later spread to other countries around the Equatorial belt.Continue Reading