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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Fruit Fest |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/25/05 at 01:39:30 |
| [slm] Truly, one of the biggest blessings of Allaah upon us that we take for granted is Fruit. He told us to reflect on the diversity of fruit and how He causes it to grow, so that perhaps we may gain some understanding: It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date*palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe. [6:99] Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allâh (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [2:22] See you not that Allâh sends down water (rain) from the sky, and We produce therewith fruits of varying colours, and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black. [35:27] And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain). Till when they have carried a heavy*laden cloud, We drive it to a land that is dead, then We cause water (rain) to descend thereon. Then We produce every kind of fruit therewith. Similarly, We shall raise up the dead, so that you may remember or take heed. [7:57] The provision of fruit has also been mentioned as a reward for good, and the withholding of it has been mentioned as a punishment for evil: And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise). Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say: "This is what we were provided with before," and they will be given things in resemblance (i.e. in the same form but different in taste) [2:25] And (remember) when Ibrâhim (Abraham) said, "My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allâh and the Last Day." He (Allâh) answered: "As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!" [2:126] And indeed We punished the people of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) with years of drought and shortness of fruits (crops, etc.), that they might remember (take heed). [7:130] ..and there are many more. Alot of us in the West are unaware of the tropical fruits enjoyed by the people in the East - I was recently able to explore and enjoy some of them and was blown away by the diversity, tastes, textures - everything maa shaa Allaah! So I thought it'd be good to show how Allaah has so much Power that He can create one means - a tree - and from that bring about such a diverse array of tastes, sights, smells and textures. Please partake, as I am sure there are many many fruits I have not even heard of. Jazakumullaahu khairan . Allaahu akbar wa lillaahi al-Hamd. (The posts I'll be putting up here, including this one, are not my writings but insha'Allah should benefit all, and if there are any questions insha'Allah the author will address them, but feel free to add to what I've put up here). |
| Re: Fruit Fest |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/25/05 at 01:41:58 |
| [slm] [img]http://www.tw.co.th/IMAGE/Thailand/fruit/mangosteen.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/mangosteen.jpg[/img] Purported by many who have had the luxury of tasting it as being the best tasting fruit in the world - [It is, hands down! ]. While possibly a bit extreme, the mangosteen is instantly liked by many who eat it. The soft flesh, resembling a bright white tangerine, has a deep grape-strawberry like flavor that melts in the mouth. Unfortunately, its high popularity, extreme growing conditions, and restrictions on importation to the United States, find the fresh fruit nonexistent outside the tropics. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is known as the “Queen of Fruits”. Its origin is in Southeast Asia, probably the Malay Archipelago. It can now be found in Northern Australia, Brazil, Burma, Central America, Hawaii, Southern India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Siri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and other tropical countries. The ripe mangosteen is dark red and tastes best if harvested before turning purple or blue-black. It does not ripen post-harvest. Unlike many other tropical fruit, which have a somewhat musky flavour (a liking for which is acquired), the mangosteen appeals to almost all, without a "learning" period. The mangosteen would be a popular choice as the finest of all fruit. The fruit is the size of a mandarin. The outer skin is up to 8mm thick and rich in tannic acid, which makes the fruit insect resistant. To open the fruit, cut through the skin only, and lightly pull and twist the fruit apart. Experienced mangosteen eaters use their thumb to pry out the dried flower parts (sessile stigma) and then break the fruit open. About a third of the fruit is edible and this part consists of 4 to 8 white to pinkish juicy segments. The precise number is indicated by the remnant flower parts on the front of the shell. A greater number of segments reduces the chance of seeds. Seeds can be boiled or roasted and eaten. The fruit's taste is delicate, sweet-acid, and the pulp seems to melt in the mouth. |
| Dragon Fruit (amazing!) |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/25/05 at 01:45:12 |
| [slm] [img]http://www.homewaredirect.com.au/miva/graphics/giftware/fr6.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.melissas.com/images/products/2458.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/dragon_fruit10.jpg[/img] See more here: http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/dragon_fruit_pictures.htm Hylocereus undatus a.k.a. Pitahaya, Strawberry Pear Round, often red colored fruit with prominent scales. The thin rind encloses the large mass of sweetly flavored white or red pulp and small black seeds. Some varieties are pinkish or yellow. It's pretty large, weighing about a kilo and about the size of my hand covering my fist. The outer skin is tough and pink, but easily peeled. Between the outer skin and the edible part is a livid purple color. The edible part is gray and shot through with little black seeds. It strongly resembles an enormous gray kiwi fruit, except the seeds are not regularly arranged around the center, but evenly dispersed throughout the flesh. The flavor and texture is kind of like a kiwi too, except not at all citrus-y, and more sweet. Yet it's not related to the kiwi! Dragon Fruit is in the cactus family and originates in drier tropical climates in the New World. |
| Rambutan - A sight to behold |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/25/05 at 01:47:03 |
| [slm] [img]http://www.davestravelcorner.com/photos/fruit/rambutan.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.spacecowgirl.nu/traceysnaps/10D_rambutan2.jpg[/img] Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum Native to Malaysia. Grown commercially in tropical Asia and tropical America. Golf ball sized fruit related to the lychee, with red or yellow skin, having numerous prominent hairs extending from the surface. Flesh is translucent, with an excellent sweet flavor, milder than the lychee. From the outside, the rambutan looks like one of life's more prickly problems. But pick it up and you'll discover that its long tentacles are really quite soft and harmless. When ripe, rambutans are a deep crimson or bright yellow. You open the fruit by splitting the tough skin with a thumbnail and peeling it off. Or you can draw a knife around its middle and pull the top off to reveal a lovely firm white fruit in its own miniature egg cup that's easy to hold or hand to a friend. In size and taste, the rambutan most closely resembles the lychee. To eat, pop the rambutan whole into your mouth and chew your way around the single seed that you'll find in the centre. |
| The Giant Jackfruit |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/25/05 at 01:49:11 |
| [slm] [img]http://www.bingregory.com/images/jackfruit.jpg[/img] [img]http://bsa.sa.utoronto.ca/about/jackfruit.jpg[/img] [img]http://writeonline.sac.sa.edu.au/Archives/May_2003/images/jackfruit.jpg[/img] Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus a.k.a. Jakfruit The fruit is unusual as it is borne on the main branches and the trunks, occasionally even from surface roots of the tree. Twigs would not be strong enough; the largest tree borne fruit in the world, jackfruits can sometimes weigh over 75 lbs. Average sized fruits are 1-2 feet long, and 9-12" wide. Skin is green-yellow, with small spiky knobs, flesh is custard yellow with a banana-like flavor. Fruits may sometimes emit a foul smelling odor emanating from the skin. Jackfruits are extremely popular throughout southeast Asia. The jackfruit (Artocarpus heteropyllus) originated in India at the foot of the Western Ghats, and is now very popular throughout South East Asia. Elsewhere in humid tropical areas it is a common garden tree. The fruit is covered with numerous hard points, is pale green in colour and changes to a yellowish-brown during ripening. Fruit is mature for harvest when the single small leaf above the stem withers and the first colour change occurs. Ripening continues post-harvest and with experience is ascertained by tapping the fruit. When ripe, fruit softens a little and will "give" when pushed. Ripe fruit exudes a musty, sweet aroma for a day or two before fruit is ideal for most purposes. |
| Re: Fruit Fest |
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| Orange_Tree |
| 08/25/05 at 07:26:10 |
| [slm] nice fruity post! some of the spikey ones look a bit scary tho'. I've tasted jackfruit before, my parents love the stuff. Me on the other hand, I find it a very acquired taste. The smell is hard to describe, kinda musky I guess and I don't find it too appealing. The actual fruit is all right tho'. |
| Re: Fruit Fest |
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| jannah |
| 08/25/05 at 08:24:19 |
| wow i never saw fruit like those before!!! my favorites would have to be good ole strawberries, cherries, bananas and kiwis!! |
| Re: Fruit Fest |
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| Aadhil |
| 08/25/05 at 15:43:25 |
| [slm] I've eaten em all except the dragon fruit. Good stuff! |
| Re: Fruit Fest |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/25/05 at 23:35:03 |
| [slm] [quote author=Muslim link=board=kabob;num=1124944770;start=0#7 date=08/25/05 at 15:43:25] I've eaten em all except the dragon fruit. Good stuff![/quote] But you weren't able to find them in the US were you? I read that they tried to grow mangosteen out in the US and they failed badly. A local store is carrying the juice (about 45% content and the rest is guava and something else) and they are charging like $25 for a small bottle. Its unbelievable. Supposedly it has many cures, someone said it cures cancer, Allahu alam. But I don't know of any place that carries this stuff (the actual fruit). Muslim, do you mind describing the taste to some of us less fortunate people. :) |
| 08/25/05 at 23:39:42 |
| bhaloo |
| Passion Fruit... |
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| Aadhil |
| 08/26/05 at 22:32:31 |
| [img]http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm:1104/gifs/psnfruit.jpg[/img] The passion fruit is a native of tropical America and was noted by the Spanish in Brazil in the 1500's. There are more than 400 species of which at least 50 or more are edible. The two main commercial varieties are Passiflora edulis L. a purple fruit and P. edulis f. flavicarpa a yellow variety. Australia is the largest single market for passion fruit and the bulk is used for blending with other juices and in softdrinks. http://wwwchem.uwimona.edu.jm:1104/lectures/psnfruit.html |
| Durian - 'The King of Fruits' |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/27/05 at 10:30:19 |
| [slm] [img]http://www.geocities.com/siagians/Foto/durian.jpg[/img] [img]http://durian.timtyler.org/graphics/durian.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.roaring-tigers.com/thpremot/durian2.gif[/img] [img]http://www.ghouse.com/daniel/durian/durian07_180.jpg[/img] "What fruit is shaped like a hedgehog and smells like compost?" "It has the texture of a cold cow pat, it smells like a poorly maintained public convenience but the taste is worse!" - Western expats in Singapore "The texture is like baked custard, while the smell and taste are simply in-describable but delicious" - locals. Banned in some hotels and on public transport in the Far East due to it's odor, Durian is an expensive fruit. One durian fruit is five to six times larger than a mango. Its skin is thick, rough, and covered with sharp thorns. With a gentle cut between the edges of the outer shell, you can easily open the fruit to expose the layers of bright yellow segments of meat that make the pulp look like it is covered with a thin layer of butter. Each fruit weighs 2 – 4 kilos, the outside skin is covered in sharp bumps. I would guess it might kill you, if you were standing under a durian tree, when one fell on your head. Individual fruits are divided into five compartments, each containing a large brown seed covered by a sac of thick, creamy, yellow pulp with an aroma that's legendary. You could publish a small book full of analogies that have been used to try to pin down this odor. Some of the more common comparisons include overripe cheese, fermented onions, rotten fish, and unwashed socks. (The bad smell, of course, performs a very important function: It attracts jungle animals to the fruit to facilitate seed dispersal.) Durian delays Airline flights http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,5847998%255E421,00.html |
| Miracle Berry |
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| bhaloo |
| 08/27/05 at 10:32:35 |
| [slm] [img]http://www.quisqualis.com/MiracleFrtLgLeaf06.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.capetrib.com.au/images/miraclefruit.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.quisqualis.com/MiracleFrtLgLeaf02.jpg[/img] Miracle Fruit Synsepalum dulcificum a.k.a. Miracle Berry A relatively tasteless berry with an amazing side-effect. After eating one miracle fruit, sour things will instantly taste sweet. Eating even the sourest of lemons, one will taste only sugary sweetness. The effect lasts an hour or two. The miracle fruit is a remarkable natural sweetener that is virtually unknown to much of the world. Once the fleshy, tasteless pulp coats your tongue, everything you eat for the next few hours or so will taste sweet. Bite into a lemon or a lime and the distinctive flavors of these fruits will be enjoyed, but their sourness will not pucker your mouth. Even a sip of straight vinegar will taste sweet. The basis for this reaction is the presence of miraculin in the fruit of this species. This taste modifying protein does not actually taste sweet, but apparently it binds to receptors of the taste buds, temporarily changing their function. While the taste modifying capabilities of the fruits have been known for over a century, miraculin was only isolated in the early 1970’s. The exact mechanism of action has yet to be elucidated, but is the subject of research, especially for its potential use as an “artificial sweetener”. Native to West Africa, the Miracle Berry is also known as Miracle Fruit and Sweet Berry. It grows as a small shrub with an appearance similar to an azalea. Its fruits develop from small white flowers. Intolerant of freezing weather, Miracle Berries cannot be planted outdoors in NJ. As potted plants they prefer an acid soil, and will thrive if moved outdoors for the summer. |
| Re: Fruit Fest |
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| theOriginal |
| 08/27/05 at 13:42:15 |
| [slm] Yeah so if you know me...you know I'm almost fanatical about fruit (Pakistan has the best fruit)... But that Durian stuff is just ... HORRIBLE *gags* .. They call it something else in Zanzibar...but it's just disgusting. The guy who took us to the spice farms to try it was like "it smells awful, but it tastes really good." Take it from me -- it tastes EXACTLY the way it smells. The Rambutan on the other hand, is simply amazing. I can eat that stuff for. ever. Wasalaam. |
| 08/27/05 at 13:48:16 |
| theOriginal |
| Re: Fruit Fest |
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| Aadhil |
| 08/27/05 at 18:53:46 |
| [quote author=JustOne link=board=kabob;num=1124944770;start=10#12 date=08/27/05 at 13:42:15] [slm] They call it something else in Zanzibar...but it's just disgusting. The guy who took us to the spice farms to try it was like "it smells awful, but it tastes really good." Take it from me -- it tastes EXACTLY the way it smells. Wasalaam.[/quote] Are you sure it was the fruit you ate? I'm thinking mebbe you ate the skin or something by mistake ::). Anyway just a thought :P what I want to try is the Synsepalum dulcificum. |
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