Want to know what are some of the popular fruits in Guatemala? In this post we outline all the Guatemalan fruits to inspire you on your next trip.
The Spanish Colonial architecture and its mixed with the Guatemalan traditions has made Guatemala as one of the most beautiful countries in Latin America. This country has a great variety of cultures and people that enjoy life to the fullest. As we travel through this wonderful country we will find the most delicious and exotic fruits that we’ll take delight in tasting.
Once you visit Guatemala, your palate will be filled with new flavors and textures that will make you feel amazed by this variety.
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Star fruit or carambola
This fruit is not very popular but it is found in most of the country.
When this fruit ripens, it turns golden yellow with a sweet flavor that can be compared to that of an apple or pear. Its texture is crunchy and it contains five seeds arranged in the shape of a star. It can be found year round but it is at its best in the months of April and May.
Star fruit is rich in Vitamin C, carotene, flavonoides (aglycones), vitamins B1, B2, P and K.
This interesting fruit can be used in salads or simply eaten raw.
Granadilla
This is a fruit that comes from passion flower. The flavor and the perfume of the granadilla reminds one of honey and strawberries.
It can be found in April and May. When this fruit ripens it becomes yellow, but when it is green it tastes like lemons.
Guanabana fruit
Guanabana is a fruit with many seeds. It can weigh up to 1 kg (2 lbs) and the pulp smells like milk. Its flavor reminds one of summer, because it tastes like honey or strawberries.
Also called “strawberry fruit”, it has very soft flesh that needs to be scooped out carefully with a spoon.
Banana passion fruit
The banana passion fruit is found in most of Guatemala. It has a very orange pulp and it contains many seeds. The flavor is sweet similar to that of strawberries or pineapple. It can be eaten raw but it’s often used as an ingredient in salads, desserts, drinks etc.
Caimito
Caimito is a fruit that is often eaten raw. It has a round shape, green when it’s unripe and deep purple when it becomes ripe. The inside of the caimito contains black seeds surrounded by juicy pulp.
This fruit tastes like lychees, guavas or cherries.
Rambutan
It is a fruit found in most of the country. The rambutan has a thin skin similar to that of the litchi fruit; it can be red or yellow (ripe) and sometimes it can be greenish-yellow (unripe).
Its texture is soft like that of grapefruit but its flavor is sweet, juicy and refreshing.
Rambutan has a funny looking exterior with soft spikes and a soft and juicy interior with a cream colored pulp.
Mango
The mango is a very common fruit in Guatemala. It has a sweet flavor that you’ll surely enjoy, its flesh is soft and often used to make juice or ice cream or simply eaten raw. The green mangos are less ripe but they’re the ones preferred for eating raw because of their crunchy texture.
Jocote
The jocote is a fruit found in most of Central America. Also known as Jamaican plum or hog plum.
Its exterior is green and it becomes red when it becomes ripe. The pulp is very juicy but a bit sour. It can be eaten raw or used to make juices, jams, ice cream etc.
Zapote mamey
This is a fruit that comes from the mamey tree. It has brown skin and inside it has an orange-red creamy pulp.
The flavor of the zapote mamey reminds one of vanilla, cinnamon and cloves.
It can be eaten raw or used to make ice cream, juices etc.
Nispero
This is a tropical fruit found in Guatemala and Mexico; it’s also called sapodilla.
The nispero has a sweet, soft and juicy pulp that can remind one of apple sauce or apples. It can be eaten fresh but it’s commonly used to make ice cream, pies etc.
Chico zapote
This is a fruit that’s not very popular but it can be found in Guatemala. It has an irregular shape, its rind is green and the inside has brown seeds similar to those of zapote mamey.
The Chico Zapote tastes like sweet potato or pumpkin with hints of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Paternas fruit
This is a fruit from the Santalaceae family. It has a cream colored pulp and it’s very juicy. The exterior is dark green with brown dots. This is a common fruit in Guatemala, mainly during summertime. Its flavor reminds one of pineapple or mango but its texture is more crunchy.
Jocote de marañon
This fruit is found in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. It’s very common during Christmas time because it can be preserved for a long period of time.
Its exterior is deep orange while the inside has yellow seeds surrounded by soft pulp with a sweet flavor similar to that of pineapple or guava.
Pitaya
Pitaya is a fruit from the Cactus family. In Guatemala there are two kinds of pitayas:
The green one has an exterior similar to that of a cucumber with white flesh inside, which contains black seeds surrounded by sweet juice. Its flavor reminds one of a mix between kiwi and watermelon.
It can be eaten fresh or prepared in desserts, salads etc.
The yellow one has an exterior similar to that of a pumpkin with white flesh inside which contains black seeds surrounded by sweet juice. Its flavor reminds one of mango and peach but it’s more acidic than the other version.
This fruit can either be eaten fresh or used in desserts, juices etc.
Pitaya produces and cultivates pitaya so it’s well known as one of the fruits in guatemala.
Passion fruit
The maracuya is a fruit that belongs to the Passion Fruit family. It has an exterior similar to that of a green pumpkin with white flesh (similar flavor to that of tart grapefruit). Its texture is soft and its flavor reminds one of a mix between passion fruit and guava.
Piñuela fruit
It belongs to the Vitaceae family and it’s found in Central, South and North America. Its exterior is green and its flesh is white and soft with black seeds surrounded by sweet juice that has a melon-like flavor or a mix between pear and melon.
This fruit can be eaten fresh but it’s best prepared as juices, ice cream etc.
Mamoncillo
It belongs to the Meliaceae family and it’s found in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
The mamoncillo has a gray exterior similar to that of a quince with a white flesh inside. It tastes like a mix between grapefruit and lime with hints of sugar cane.
This fruit is mainly served as desserts, ice cream or liquor.
Annona fruit
The annona is a fruit that belongs to the Annonaceae family. It’s found in Central America, the Caribbean and South America.
The exterior of this fruit has an irregular shape with green or yellow spots while its flesh has different colors depending on its variety. Some are red while others are white, pink or salmon-colored.
When you visit Guatemala don’t forget to try some of these delicious fruits!
Fruits in Guatemala
Ingredients
- Start fruit
- Granadilla
- Guanabana
- Banana passion fruit
- Caimito
- Rambutan
- Mango
- Jocote
- Zapote mamey
- Nispero
- Chico zapote
- Paternas
- Jocote de marañon
- Pitaya
- Passion fruit
- Piñuela
- Mamoncillo
- Annona
Instructions
- Try one of these delicious fruits next time you visit Guatemala or when you are grocery shopping!
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