In this tropical fruit review, you will learn all about the fairly rare Rollinia: where it comes from, its health benefits, how to eat it, and what it tastes like. First off, this is one awesome fruit. It is part of the Annona family of fruits and is related to Cherimoya and the Atemoya, among others.
Where does Rollinia come from and grow?
The Rollinia, part of the Annonaceae family of fruits, is also known as the Biriba or biriba de Pernambuco or wild sugar apple. It is native to Brazil and Peru, but grows in many tropical areas around the world, including the Caribbean, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Southern Mexico, Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Florida, and Hawaii. You may or may not be able to find this rare fruit at your local market or an international market. I got mine online from miamifruit.org.
The trees are small to medium in size and need tropical conditions to flourish and survive.
Health Benefits
The Rollinia boasts several health benefits, including:
- Good source of vitamin C
- Contains calcium, phosphorus, and iron
- Has protein and amino acids
- It can help with blood pressure maintenance and heart function
How to Eat Rollinia
The rollinia fruit is ripe when it is completely yellow and has dark black or brown spots on it, and is very soft when you squeeze it. Slice it open with a knife, and it will appear white and slightly translucent and show the big dark seeds. Do not eat the seeds and do not eat the skin.
To eat it, just scoop the soft, creamy flesh out with a spoon and take a bite. If you manage to get any seeds on the spoon, just gently eat around the seed and spit it out. You can also cut it into wedges.
This amazing fruit is generally eaten raw like this, but it is often used in beverages, juices, smoothies, etc. Some places in Brazil even make a wine from it. You can also make jams and jellies with it or puree it and put it in other desserts like pies, cakes, muffins, cheesecakes, sweet bread, etc. It goes really well in fruit salads, too.
They do not last long after ripening and need to be eaten within a few days. Ripe fruit can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
What does Rollinia taste like?
Tasting the rollinia is a pure delight. It is such a yummy fruit. The flesh is soft and creamy and extremely juicy, and it reminds me of a mix between lemon meringue pie, pineapple, coconut, and banana. There is definitely a tangy lemon flavor, but not nearly as sour as a lemon, with the sweetness of pineapple and a ripe banana.
It is such a unique fruit that I hope you get to try sometime. Have you ever had this fruit? Let me know!
Buy this fruit here. 10% off with this code: MATTTAY10
Check out the video review I made of this amazing fruit.
