Exotic Fruit Varieties: 10 Unusual Varieties

Apple, banana, grape - everyone probably knows these classics. We provide variety and introduce you to ten unknown and exotic types of fruit.

Fruit trees in the garden are something wonderful: in spring they bear beautiful flowers, which makes them one of the most bee-friendly plants at all, and in summer they provide shade and (in contrast to other garden plants) hardly need any attention. But the best thing is probably the sweet and healthy fruits that hang on their branches year after year and provide us with important vitamins. However, if you look in the gardens and on the plates, you always come across the same types of fruit. There are besides Apple (penalty), pear (Pyrus) and Co. completely different fruit, which is characterized by a great taste. We have selected ten rare types of fruit for you, which unjustly lead a shadowy existence.

Are you looking for a type of fruit that not everyone has? These ten unknown types of fruit are definitely worth checking out.

10. strawberry tree

A tree on that strawberries (Fragaria) grow? Unfortunately, no. Even if the name strawberry tree (arbutus) suggests otherwise, the small red fruits of this tree are not strawberries, even if they look confusingly similar to them. A look at the bright orange interior will dispel any doubts. In terms of taste, the fruits of the strawberry tree do not convince everyone because they are rather tasteless. However, the tree is ideal as an eye-catcher in the garden: its dense foliage, the attractive bell-shaped flowers it bears in winter and its peeling bark make it the real one eye-catcher. And the red fruits also provide bright splashes of color in the garden. In a mild wine-growing climate, the strawberry tree can be planted in the garden, otherwise it can also be cultivated in a bucket.

9. chokeberry

the chokeberry, also under their Latin name Aronia known, has recently become one of the insider tips when it comes to healthy eating and is therefore very much in vogue. In particular, their high content of vitamin C and antioxidants ensures that the chokeberry has become a real fashion fruit. What few people know, however, is that the vitamin bomb can also be grown in your own garden without any problems. The fruit tree is only about two and a half meters high and is therefore also suitable for smaller gardens. At the same time, the chokeberry is particularly robust and hardy and, with its white flowers, is a real ornament even in spring.

8. caramel berry

Candy that grows on trees is probably every child's dream - with the caramel berry (Leycesteria formosa) this fantasy almost becomes reality: from June to September the colourful, spike-shaped flowers of the plant and release an enchanting scent of caramel through the garden blow. Also the imposing one autumn coloring of the shrub is truly impressive. Over the course of the year, the impressive individual blossoms develop into red berries, which are almost black towards the end of ripening and are characterized by a bitter, caramel-like taste. In the garden, the caramel berry is extremely easy to care for, but needs additional frost protection in winter.

7. service pear

the service pear (amelanchier) can actually be found in a relatively large number of gardens, because of its numerous flowers in spring and its spectacular autumn coloring an almost unique ornamental tree. But the fruits of the pear, on the other hand, often remain unnoticed by humans and fall above all winged gourmets - a shame considering the blue-black little spheres are real ones treats are. Sweet and aromatic, their taste is reminiscent of blueberries, which is why they are perfect for jams and jellies - but they can also be eaten raw or made into wine.

6. cornel

It was already known to the ancient Greeks and was also popular in Germany - over time it became popular cornel (Cornus mas) but slowly in oblivion. Wrongly so, because the dogwood plant (Cornaceae) has a lot to offer: With its fragile The cornelian cherry is a real flower decoration consisting of thousands upon thousands of tiny cymes Beauty. But their shiny red to almost black berries are also a real pleasure with their sour taste and highly aromatic both raw and processed into jam. In addition, the cornelian cherry is extremely robust: the fruit tree thrives in almost any location and even during dry periods.

5. Indian banana

So extraordinary the name of the Indian banana (Asimina triloba(Annonaceae) and is therefore neither compatible with the banana (Musa)related, nor does she look particularly like her. In reality, the oblong fruit with the smooth, green-yellow skin is probably best eaten with a papaya (Carica papaya) to compare. The skin hides the yellow, creamy flesh that gives the tropical taste of mango (Mangifera indica), banana and melon (Cucumis melo) can be combined and simply spooned out. But it is not only in the tropics that you can experience the taste of this exotic species - with a winter hardiness down to -25 °C and a robust nature, the Indian banana is also suitable for the home garden.

4. ornamental quince

Because it has the word "ornamental" in its name, many people think that the ornamental quince (Chaenomeles) is not intended for eating. In fact, the yellow fruits are far too tasty and healthy to just look at. The fruits of the ornamental quince are popularly known as "Northern lemons" because of their colour, their sour taste and their high vitamin C content. In addition to its delicious fruits, the beautiful fruit bush impresses with its unique flowers: from white to Cinnabar or even scarlet, the exotic beauties in spring shine from afar and are an absolute must eye-catcher.

3. medlar

Originally from Asia, the Romans brought the medlar (Mespilus) to Europe, where it gained great popularity. Today, however, the exotic species can only be found occasionally in cottage gardens - and the medlar has so much to offer: Spring awaits the tree with radiantly beautiful flowers, which are particularly popular with bees, but also immediately cast a spell over people draw. In autumn, on the other hand, the medlar impresses with a great leaf color in bright orange-yellow. The highlight, however, are its apple-shaped fruits with the distinctive, gaping tip. Although these are still quite hard at the beginning, after a short storage or the first frost they take on a mush-like consistency and then develop their full sweet and sour aroma. With its slow growth, the medlar is also very suitable for small gardens and is sufficiently hardy, even if it does not mind a warm place.

2. blue cucumber

The name says it all: the fruits of the exotic blue cucumber tree (Decaisnea fargesii) consist of stretched pods up to 20 centimeters long, which catch the eye with their eye-catching coloring. The intense blue fruits provide an impressive highlight, especially in autumn after the leaves have fallen, which is why the blue cucumber tree is also often used as an ornamental tree. But the blue pods can also convince in terms of taste - the gelatinous interior has a slightly sweet taste and is particularly popular in western China. With its pinnate leaves and hanging panicles up to 50 centimeters long, it is also the Blue cucumber tree in itself a great sight, which is also cultivated in Germany thanks to its winter hardiness can.

1. jujube

In Germany the jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a true rarity, but in its native China the fruit is as popular as apples are in our country. No wonder, when you consider that their taste is said to be reminiscent of baked apples with a mild sweetness and a slight acid note. The jujube, also known as Chinese dates or jujubes, is not only impressive because of its taste. Its feathery leaves shine in autumn with a golden yellow color and the numerous small flowers exude a pleasantly subtle scent. In addition, the jujube is extremely healthy with its high vitamin C content. Even in the garden, the rare exotic cuts a fine figure: It is frost hardy down to -20 °C and is also ideal for keeping in tubs.

Not only among the fruit trees there are numerous rare and unknown varieties - here you will find 9 berries you've probably never heard of.