Aguacate a.k.a Avocado!

A visit to Central America just wouldn’t be the same without talking about the fruits available, and some pretty exotic ones that you won’t find in your local supermarket too. Here are some you will want to taste, particularly if you want an authentic fruity experience. Create shakes and drink like a local:

Aguacate: Also known as avocado, this fruit grow on trees and are popular alone, in guacamole or in shakes. The ones found in Costa Rica are considered a little more firm than those in the United States. You can also eat them raw!

Anona: Heart-shaped and also known as “the bullock’s heart,” Anona is not your typical grocery item. The ripe version is dark reddish brown and it has a sweet milk-white pulp. It’s a sister fruit to the delicious custard apple and is best eaten with a spoon, with the skin used as a bowl.

Guanabana: This is the popular soursop fruit, and is a staple in most tropical countries. The fruit runs pretty big in size, and is green and spiky on the outside and with white flesh on the inside. It is extremely popular for its presence in shakes and sherbets. It tastes like the custard apple with hints of pineapple and mango. It’s great when combined with milk.

Caimitos: This “star fruit” is similar to the mangosteen, which is typically found in East Asia, but this one comes in various shades of purple. This is typically added to orange juice. Another star fruit is Carambola which is tart when green but ideal in sherbets, especially when combined with milk.

Granadillas: Passion fruit is a popular choice for milk shakes and is very sweet. It’s very popular all over Central America, and has a hard, crisp skin and a bundle of seeds surrounded by pulp that’s as transparent as a lychee. It’s simply delicious in drinks or eaten alone.

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photo: nachoeuropa