Ecuador Fruit Education

Dear Family and Friends,

On the last post I posted pictures of fruit that was being sold on the roadside just outside of Puyo (the gateway to the Amazon).  A few of my facebook friends posted answers and it turns out they knew more than me.

I decided to educate myself and in the process offer up what I learned to you.  

Picture 1

The fruit on the left is BABACO.  It is similar to a papaya, it is sometimes referred to as Champagne Fruit because of its refreshing, effervescent flesh. Some say it tastes like a cross between a strawberry, papaya and pineapple.   Yum! I have got to buy one and try it. Sounds delicious.

The red fruit on the right is CACAO.  The beans from this fruit is one of the major exports of Ecuador.  The beans are dried, ground, and processed to make chocolate. Ecuador has some of the best quality chocolate on earth.  

Picture 2

This fruit is ACHOTILLO.

Achotillo, also known as Lychee in Asian countries.  This fruit originated in Asia and was introduced to South America by the Dutch.  The flesh of this fruit is translucent, whitish or a very pale pink in color, with a sweet mild acidic taste something like that of a grape.

Picture 3

FLOR de JAMAICA,  in English known as Hibiscus flower.

It is used to make a tea.  The tea is helpful to boost your immune system and may help to prevent cell damage caused by free radicals in the body.  

Picture 4

????????????  (Not Sure!)

Lourdes suggested this might be STEVIA LEAVES, which are grown in the Amazon region.  But in researching Stevia Leaves these do not look the same.  So for now, they are a mystery.  If anyone has an idea, please post in comments below.  

Picture 5

GUABA FRUTA, also known as ICE CREAM BEAN.

This fat bean shaped fruit is actually a fruit and not a legume as most  beans.  Inside are large beans covered in a white cottony texture that has a slight vanilla like taste, hence the name Ice Cream Bean.

The health benefits I found include: Eyes Health, Helps in weight loss, Muscle Health, Maintain Heart Health, Treats dysentery, High Cholesterol Treatment, Balances Blood Sugar, Make Bones strong, Stay Full Longer, Maintain Body Cells Health, Treats rheumatism, Cures Constipation, Treats headaches, Prevents Cancer, Good for Digestion, Prevents Gas or Flatulence, Treats Dysentery, Mood Enhancer, Removes Toxins, Cures Depression.   

Sounds like a wonder drug to me!  

Picture 6

This is an ALOE PLANT.

Aloe is very popular here in Ecuador.  The leaves are stripped of the thick juice and added to other herbs into a tea.  Vendors sell this tea from carts.  They do a good business too.  

It is said that the Ecuadorians drink this tea because it has digestive benefits: reduces the incidence of ulcers and improves digestion.

The thick juice inside the leaf is also known to reduce skin conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis.  I have used the plant juice to rub on a fresh burn.  It removes the pain and speeds the healing.

So this is all I know and don't know.  But after doing this research I think I will buy some Guaba bean fruit at the market and eat the delicious vanilla coating on the beans just to see how it makes me feel.

Okay, school is dismissed.  Have a great day!

Love,

Nancy