Fruit juices are plentiful in Colombia. I love going to restaurants with a set lunch menu in Colombia because they always include (in this order): soup; fruit juice; plate of rice, salad, protein; and sometimes a dessert. Usually, we get a choice of two different fruit juices. I never know what they are (besides delicious…usually).
What better way to learn, than have a fruit tasting party! I went to the market and picked up some fruit I didn’t recognize and this is what I learned:
Maracuya (Passion Fruit)
About the size of a large pear, this fruit is extremely sour. The seeds are covered in a delicious slime. Because it is so sour, it is usually used in a juice or as a sauce for a dessert. When enjoyed fresh, don’t eat the outer shell, only the seeds. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar to make less intense.
- 17 calories per fruit
- 2g Dietary Fiber
- 2g Sugar
- 5% Vitamin A
- 9% Vitamin C
- 2% Iron
- 2% Potassium
- Cost in Bogotá: 1,197 COP ($0.45 USD)
Guayaba Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)
This tiny fruit is only about the size of a small potato and has a bright flavor like an apple. Cut in half and scoop out pulp with a spoon.
- 23 calories per fruit
- 2.7g Dietary Fiber
- 3.4g Sugar
- 2% Potassium
- 23% Vitamin C
- Cost in Bogotá: 165 COP ($0.06 USD)
Guayaba Pera (Pear Guava)
While in the same family as the Feijoa, this guava variety tastes and looks completely different. It is about the size of a pear. It doesn’t taste sweet, but it also doesn’t taste sour. Texture was similar to a papaya or a firm custard. The flavor was really mild. I didn’t like this fruit and thought it would have been much better in a fruit smoothie mixed with other fruit. To eat fresh, peel first.
- 38 calories per fruit
- 3g Dietary Fiber
- 4.9g Sugar
- 1.4g Protein
- 6% Potassium
- 6% Vitamin A
- 209% Vitamin C
- 5% Vitamin B6
- 3% Magnesium
- Cost in Botogá: 437 COP ($0.17 USD)
Lulo (Naranjilla or Little Orange)
While from the picture, it looks like a yellow tomato, the outside had little hairs that pricked my skin. The texture on the inside was similar to a firm tomato, but it was sour like a lime.
- 25 calories per fruit
- 1.1g Dietary Fiber
- 3.7g Sugar
- 11% Vitamin A
- 5% Vitamin C
- 2% Iron
- 18% Vitamin K
- 7% Niacin
- 5% Vitamin B6
- 6% Potassium
- Cost in Bogotá: 360 COP ($0.14 USD)
Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit)
About the size of my hand, this superfood tastes like kiwi fruit. Cut in half and use your hands to peel off the dragon-like skin to reveal the white flesh speckled with black seeds.
- 60 calories per fruit
- 1.5g Fat
- 3% Sodium
- 1g Dietary Fiber
- 8g Sugar
- 2g Protein
- 2% Iron
- 205% Vitamin C
- 3% Calcium
- Cost in Bogotá: 3,096 COP ($1.17 USD)
Tomate Arbol (Tamarillo)
This little fruit had the texture of a melon. Cut in half and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. It is good raw, but often it is cooked to make a spread for toast.
- 40 calories per fruit
- 4g Dietary Fiber
- 2g Sugar
- 2g Protein
- 10% Vitamin A
- 60% Vitamin C
- Cost in Botogá: 342 COP ($0.13 USD)
My Favorite:
Dragon Fruit easily. Passion fruit was also delicious. The other fruit I liked, but they would have been tastier as a juice in most cases. This explains why I see so many fruit juice stands on the sidewalks here!