3630 ELEV8

10/07/2024

Kiwano
The kiwano melon is a fruit native to Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and other parts of Africa that’s known for its striking appearance. On the outside, the fruit has a spiky yellow shell, which explains why it’s been given the moniker “African horned cucumber” in the U.S. On the inside, however, the fruit is full of gooey green flesh and seeds. If eaten when still immature, the flesh of the kiwano is said to taste like a cucumber. But once it’s ripe, the fruit develops flavors reminiscent of melon and kiwi.

The otherworldly appearance of the kiwano melon has also earned it a unique place in American pop culture. The fruit was used as a prop in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine titled “Time’s Orphan.” In the episode, the kiwano was referred to as a “Golana melon” and is said to be cultivated on the alien planet of Golana.

10/07/2024

Durian
The durian is one of the most notorious fruits in Southeast Asia, as it’s both beloved for its flavor and reviled for its odor. Each durian has a large spiky shell that protects the creamy and almost custard-like flesh inside. This soft interior is said to taste like a mix of caramel, vanilla, almonds, and even cheese. Durian fans adore the complex flavor profile and will eat it on its own, bake it into cakes and pastries, or serve it up in a smoothie. Some even say durian is best enjoyed when it’s overly ripe, as it develops a texture akin to sour cream.

But when you crack open a durian, you’re also overcome by a pungent aroma that’s been compared to rank garbage or rotten eggs. Because of its powerful and off-putting smell, durian has been banned in many Southeast Asian countries on public transport and in other communal gathering places such as hotels.

10/07/2024

Monstera Deliciosa
The name monstera deliciosa means exactly what it sounds like — “delicious monster.” The fruit comes from a plant native to Central America that’s also known as the “swiss cheese plant,” as its leaves are riddled with natural holes, resembling swiss cheese. The shell of the fruit looks like an ear of corn, only harder and greener. The fruit inside even resembles the kernels of a corncob — but the flavor isn’t corn-like at all.

If you eat monstera deliciosa too soon before it ripens, you’re bound to have a deeply unpleasant experience. The sour, bitter taste is no friend to your tastebuds, and the oxalic acid can irritate your throat. But that acid dissipates as the fruit ripens, and the flavor becomes more akin to a blend of pineapple and banana. You can tell the fruit is ripe once its outer scales begin to naturally peel. When that happens, throw it in a fruit salad or just eat it on its own for a wonderfully sweet treat.

10/07/2024

Jackfruit
Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, weighing anywhere from 10 pounds to a whopping 80 pounds. The fruit is particularly popular in Bangladesh, where it’s considered a staple crop, though it’s also widely popular throughout the rest of Southeast Asia. It takes five to seven years for a jackfruit tree to begin producing fruit, but once it does, it’s likely to produce between 150 and 200 fruits annually. The jackfruit has a spiky rind with a yellowish-green color, and the creamy flesh inside is said to bear a similar texture to an overripe banana.

While jackfruit has been cultivated for thousands of years, it’s become particularly popular in recent years among vegetarians and vegans. When it’s cooked and shredded, jackfruit develops a texture akin to pulled pork, and it’s great at absorbing the flavors of the other foods it’s cooked with, making it a fantastic alternative to meat.

10/07/2024

7up’s new holiday drop coming soon?

Will you give it a try?

Drop your yes or no below

10/07/2024

M&Ms is adding their first new favor to the lineup since 2022.

12/06/2023

Have appliances but tired of the power cord hanging in the way?

These are a MUST have!

Use this appliance cord winder to help you easily organize your kitchen appliances wires. Make your kitchen more tidy. Our cord winder for appliances uses high-quality silicone, the material is moderate in hardness and softness, which can hold the wire well. The adhesive is non-toxic, odorless, s...