buddha's hand

this wonderfully smelling citron has a think rind, white pith and a minimal amount of flesh if any. its peel is mainly use for zesting or candying. it is also used as a religious offering at Buddhist temples, where it is said that Buddha prefers a closed group of "fingers" to resemble a praying hand. found at crown valley market mission viejo ca. photo by chris mathews

surinam cherry

about the size of a raspberry these guys have a thin skin and sweet tart melting flesh that has a slight hint of resin. picked off the tree at living green nursery in lake forest ca, thanks to justin galias. photo by chris mathews

lady apple

this old world heirloom variety is smaller than most apples(about the size of a plum) is firm and crisp with a sweet tart flavor. found at ralphs irvine ca. photo by chris mathews

calamondin / kalamansi

these grape sized, cross between a kumquat and mandarin are tart with a sweet skin. found at 99 ranch market irvine ca. photo by chris mathews

ca

yellow strawberry guava

these guys were highly fragrant with a mildly sweet guava flavor. found on the tree in mission viejo ca. photo by chris mathews.

pithecellobium dulce / manila tamarind / guamuchil

chestnut / coconut type texture with a hint of sweet and hint of savory flavor. they get sweeter when slightly toasted. found on the tree mission viejo ca. photo by chris mathews

mamey sapote

this fruit is delicious, they taste like pumpkin pie with a hint of rootbeer with a custard flesh. found at northgate market santa ana ca. photo by chris mathews

blue agave

uncooked agave is similar to jicama once its cooked it is sweet as sugar with a melting stringy flesh . found at the jose cuervo factory tequila, mexico. photos by chris mathews

tejocote

these guys smelled great(fruity bubblegum) but tasted like a flavorless crab apple. they are used mainly in a mexican drink called ponche. found at northgate market santa ana ca. photo by chris mathews

xoconostle

these are like the sour cousins of the prickly pear pronounced (cho-co-noh-s-tle) too bitter to eat fresh they are mainly used in salsa, soups, jellies, and traditional candies. found at northgate market santa ana ca. photo by chris mathews.

water caltrop

aquatic fruit nut type thing. underneath the hard bull horn shell they have a dry crumbly white flesh. after being boiled they tasted like dried powdered oysters- found at 99 ranch market photo by chris mathews

cherum

this new variety cherry /plum hybrid has a sweet pluot type flavor. found at gelsons irvine ca. photo by chris mathews

persimmon (hachiya)

delicious sweet spiced flavor with a slimy juicy stringy flesh, this varity must be extremely soft to eat. found at zion market irvine ca. photo by chris mathews

feijoa

these have a distinctive aromatic smell with a slightly gritty sweet guava type flesh nearer to the skin and more gelatinous seed pulp in the center. fruit can be peeled or cut in half and eaten with a spoon. found at crown valley market mission viejo ca. photo by chris mathews

tamarind (sour)

these guys have a hard brittle outer shell with a sticky acidulous flesh attached to the seed pods. it is used in desserts , jams, blended into drinks ,sorbets and candies. found at wholesome choice market irvine ca. photo by chris mathews

jujube

dry apple type flesh with slight brown sugar flavor. found at zion market irvine ca photo by chris mathews

gold kiwi

this yellow flesh variety of kiwi has a of sweet tropical fruit type flavor, and is much less acidic and less "hairy"than green kiwi. once the fuzz is rubbed off the skin is completely edible.found at my albertsons ladera ranch ca) photo by chris mathews

rambutan

sweet refreshing tropical flavor with gelatinous flesh around a center seed- found at 99 ranch market in irvine ca) photo by chris mathews

durian

sweet smooth onion garlic flavor with a custard type flesh. found frozen at the 99 ranch market irvine ca. photo by chris mathews

mangosteen

(sweet and tangy with soft juicy flesh- found in ca)

dragon fruit / pitaya

mild sweet flavor a dense juicy flesh with kiwi like seeds- found at costa mesa farmers market ca. photo by chris mathews

noni

these things smell like vomit cheese. i couldn't even get close to eating one. found at mercado san juan de dios guadalaja mex photo by chris mathews

ciruela

not a lot of edible flesh but they had a delicious orange mango guava flavor. found at mercado san juan de dios guadalajara mex. photo by chris mathews

cherimoya

( custard like flesh with sweet banana guava flavor found in CA)

miracle fruit

Miracle fruit. (makes tart and acidic fruit and foods sweet)

arrayanes

Arrayanes, Sartre Guava (tart rosemary flavor- found in CA)

longan

Longan (purchased in US) tastes like raw sugar with a touch of melon with the consistency of a lychee.

lulo

Lulo (purchased in Spain) very acidic but I hear they make a good juice

granadilla and maracuya

Granadilla (purchased in Spain) tastes like bubble gum ice cream with a gelatinous flesh and crunchy seeds. Maracuya (purchased in Spain) acidic passion fruit flavor

banana passion fruit

(found in spain)

ugli fruit

( sweet tangerine type flavor - found in florida)

black sapote

(mild chocolate pudding type flavor - found in florida)