What Fruit Comes From: Peru?

Welcome to the first instalment in our new exciting series, What Fruit Comes From series. This week we focus on Peru! With three main climate zones (coast, highlands and jungle), you can find a huge number of different fruits. Below we show the special and unique fruits that come from Peru, and/or are important ingredients of Peruvian cuisine.

Limo Peruano (Peruvian Lime)

The Peruvian lime is quite small at 3-4 cm, and has a yellow to dark skin with light green flesh inside. It is highly acidic, extremely sour, and has a distinct strong flavour. It is a key ingredient in Peruvian cuisine.

Lacuma

This fruit is native to Peru and is known as "The Last Gold of the Incas". They are round and green with a yellow/orange flesh. They have a unique flavour of maple and sweet potato. They are rarely eaten raw. They are usually used for ice cream, cakes, puddings and desserts.

Chirimoya (Custard Apple)

Also spelt as Cherimoya, these fruits are native to the Andean highlands of Peru. They are heart-shaped, and have a rough-textured, tin skin which can be yellow-green through to a dark green. The flesh is white, juicy and has the texture of creamy custard, with seeds inside. They are sweet, with a taste of a mix between banana, pineapple, peach and strawberry.

Aguaymanto (Peruvian Cherry/Cape Gooseberry)

This is also known as the Tamatito Silvestre, Tomatillo, Capuli, or Cape Gooseberry. It is native to high altitude areas in Peru where it grows wild, and has been cultivated since the time of the Incas. It has a non-edible skin. It is yellow-orange in colour, and has a sweet and sour taste.

Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit)

Also known as Dragon Fruit, this fruit is native to Mexico, Central America and some Southern American countries like Peru. It is the fruit of a cactus and comes in three colours: yellow with white flesh, pin with pink flesh, and pink with white flesh. The flesh has a mild sweetness and tastes like a cross between a kiwi and a melon.

Pepino Dulce (Sweet Pepino)

This fruit is native to the Andean regions of Peru. Its origins are unclear. They can come in different shapes and sizes, from small or large, round or oval. They have a brightly coloured orange flesh whic is sweet, firm and juicy. The flavour is a mix of honeydew melons and cucumber.

Guayaba (Guava)

Guayabas, or as they're more commonly known, guavas, originated in Mexico, but these were cultivated in Central and South American in ancient times. Evidence has been found that this fruit was part of the diet and medicine of Pre-Incan cultures. These are a super fruit due to their health-promoting and medicinal properties.

Camu Camu 

This fruit is native to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. The fruit is extremely acidic and has a taste comparable to a mixture of a sour cherry and lime. It is best in juices, jams, ice creams and yoghurts. It has a very high Vitamin C content.

Tumbo (Banana Passion Fruit)

This fruit is in the passion fruit family. It is known as banana passion fruit in English as its shape and size resembles a banana. The orange, passion fruit-like cluster of black seeds and pulp is enclosed by a firm yellow skin. They are rarely eaten raw as they are acidic and tart. They are best in juices, jams and ice cream.

Aguaje (Moriche Palm Fruit)

The Moriche palm trees are native to the tropical Amazon regions of Peru. The fruits of these trees, known as Aguaje in Peru, have a red/purple/brown skin with a texture similar to a pineapple. There is a thin layer of firm, yellow/orange pulp underneath the skin, which covers a large seed. These fruits are eaten raw, in desserts or used in juices, jams, ice cream and alcoholic beverages.

Cocona (Amazon Tomato)

This is a tropical citrus fruit native to the Peruvian Amazon region. It is considered to be the Amazon Tomato and is often included in salads. They are similar to a pepper in shape and size, and can vary in colour from yellow to red, tasting like a mix between a lime and a tomato. They are used to make sauces to accompany soups, or are used in juices, jams and desserts.

Tuna (Cactus Fruit)

This is also known as cactus fruit or prickly pear. It has been cultivated in Peru since the ancient times. It is an oval fruit with a thick skin, and is green, red or orange in colour. The flesh is bright red to purple, and contains small seeds. It tastes to similar to a watermelon, and when processed into jams, juices or alcoholic beverages it can taste a bit like strawberries and figs.

Noni (Indian Mulberry)

Also known as the Indian Mulberry, this fruit isn't native to Peru, but is often used in dietary supplements. It is a similar size to a potato, and is a yellow/white colour. They taste very bitter and don't have an appetising taste. The fruit is famous for its health benefits and is used in juices, teas and natural medicine.

Which Peruvian fruit would you like to try? Or have you tried any of them? Let us know @office_fruit!