10 Fruits You Probably Don't Know Their Names.

Here are a number of fruits you didn't know their names or at some point in time, called it a different name altogether. 

1. Soursop

Soursop also known as graviola, guabanana, or Brazilian paw paw is a tropical fruit found in the Americas, Caribbean, and Africa. It is commonly called 'shawa shawa' or 'sharp sharp' in Nigeria, probably a corruption of its real name. The inside is whitish and edible. In some countries, they make smoothies from it. I guess that should taste really great. Its nutritional benefits includes improving respiratory system, boosting the immune system, soothing  the stomach and many more. 

2. Golden Honeydew Melon

There are many species of melon, one of which is the popular watermelon we all know. However, the golden honeydew melon is so called because of its golden or yellow colour which is slightly distinct from the regular honeydew melon. Simply known as golden melon or sweet melon around here. It traces it origin to North Africa and France (where it is called white antibes) though now commonly found in Asia and West Africa. The fruit is mildly sweet with plenty of water. It usually produces a bitter taste when overripe. They are a good source of  fibre, potassium, vitamins B6 and C.

3. Black Velvet Tamarind

'Licki licki' is the popular name it is called in Nigeria, obviously due to the fact that it is taken by being licked. The black velvet tamarind also known as Africa velvet tamarind, is an indigenous plant native to West Africa. It is called Icheku in Igbo, Awin in Yoruba and Tsamiya-kurm in Hausa. Do you know you can make a delicious drink from it by soaking it in water? You might want to try it out.  It also serves as vitamin c. Among its many health benefits, one of it is that it helps in relieving menstrual cramps.

4. African Star Apple

Closely related to and most likely a different specie of the white star apple and purple star apple, is the african star apple. It is found in tropical Africa. It is know as agbalumo in Yoruba and udara/udala in Igbo. It can be amazingly sweet when very ripe but terribly sour if taken when it's not ripe. Do you know if you continually chew its flesh for a long while, it turns into something like a chewing gum? However on the flip side, if over-chewed or you are unlucky to encounter one not too good, instead of gum, it dissolves and turns to something you wouldn't like in your mouth. Cheerfully, it has been found in helping to reduce blood pressure.

5. Tropical Almond

Ah, the great almond, one of school kids favourite. Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) may not be the almond commonly known in Europe and America, however, it is a variant of it. The tropical almond also known as Indian almond, country almond, beach almond, and a host of many other names is native to Asia, Africa and Australia. In Nigeria, it is popularly called 'fruit'. The tree is known to provide excellent shade given its large leaves and height.

Another interesting part of this fruit is that aside its edible flesh outside, it can be cracked open and the nut inside eaten. Trust me, you will relish the taste, especially when the nut is dry. All these qualities makes it a very sought after fruit for school children.

6. Rose apple

Don't get this twisted, this is not your regular apple, even though it has the name 'apple' attached to it. This fruit is generally known as rose apple although there seems to be many species of it. Native to Southeast Asia, it is now spread all over the world and known by many names such as jambu, mountain apple, plum rose, water apple and wax apple. They come in pink or red colours.

7. Monkey Kola

The red, yellow or even white monkey kola is a specie of the general cola plant/tree found in tropical West Africa. It is called obi-edun in Yoruba language, ndiyah in Efik/Ibibio and achicha or ochiricha in Igbo. The pod looks similar to cocoa when opened.

8. Ackee 

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica where it is most popular and features in some of their cuisines, though it is an indigenous West African fruit. According to Wikipedia, the name is derived from the West African Akan akye fufo of Ghana. It is known as 'Ishin' in the south  western part of Nigeria. The fruit is taken when ripe and quite delicious. However, note that its seed or an unripened one contains toxins which have proven to be very fatal to health, and in one report, resulted to even death amongst children in Burkina Faso. The illness usually begins with stomach upset after about 2-6 hours of its consumption, followed by weakness, vomiting and unconsciousness. Hence, in Jamaica where the illness is very common, it is termed “Jamaican vomiting sickness”.

9. Grapes (purple grape) 

Believe me, I have heard people call this fruit all manner of names, from strawberry, cherry, blackberry etc. They grow on vines and come in bunches in colours of purple, green(white) and red. They are native to North America, but thanks to science, this fruit is now being grown anywhere in the world, Nigeria inclusive. Wines can be made from grapes. That aside, jam, jelly, juice, raisins and so many other things are made from grapes. So when next you come across it say grape, purple grape specifically. Please this shouldn't be confused with grapefruit which is in the citrus family.

10. Pitanga


                    

Also known as Suriname cherry, you may have stumbled on this fruit before. The common name 'pitanga' is how the fruit is known in Uruguay and Brazil and that has now been adopted as its English name.


There you have it! You can as well check out 10 Insects You Probably Don't Know Their Names.