Egg Fruit facts for kids

The egg fruit is a fascinating tropical fruit, often called Canistel. It gets its name because its soft, ripe flesh looks and feels a lot like a hard-boiled egg yolk! But don't let that fool you, its taste is sweet and unique, often compared to roasted pumpkin or sweet potato.

Discover the Amazing Egg Fruit!

What is Egg Fruit?

The egg fruit comes from a tree that can grow about 8 meters (26 feet) tall. The fruit itself is usually oblong, measuring about 7 to 12 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) long. Its shape can vary, sometimes pointed at one end or curved.

When an egg fruit is ready to eat, it turns a beautiful golden-orange color. You might even see some rusty brown spots on its skin, but these don't mean anything about the quality inside! The inside of the fruit is bright orange, just like a cooked egg yolk, and has a similar soft, floury texture. Inside, you'll find one to four hard, black seeds. Some people find the strong smell of a ripe egg fruit a bit unusual, but its flavor is wonderfully rich and sweet.

Where Does Egg Fruit Grow?

The egg fruit is originally from parts of southern North America and northern Central America. This includes countries like Mexico, El Salvador, Belize, and Guatemala. Over time, it has spread and now grows in many tropical and subtropical areas around the world. These trees like places with a moderate amount of rain, but they can also do well in areas that have long dry seasons.

When Can You Find Egg Fruit?

If you live in a tropical climate, you can often find egg fruit available from the fall season right through to the summer. This means you have many months to enjoy this special fruit!

What's Inside Egg Fruit?

Egg fruit isn't just tasty; it's also good for you! It's packed with important nutrients like niacin, which helps your body use energy. It also contains iron, which is important for healthy blood, and calcium, which helps build strong bones. Plus, it has beta-carotene, which your body turns into Vitamin A, and ascorbic acid, also known as Vitamin C, which helps keep you healthy.

How to Enjoy Egg Fruit

Many people enjoy eating egg fruit raw as a simple snack. You can sprinkle a little salt and lemon juice on it to bring out its flavor. Because of its texture and sweet taste, egg fruit is also a popular ingredient in sweet baking. Think of it like a pumpkin or sweet potato!

You can mash the soft flesh of the egg fruit and add it to many different recipes. It's great in custards, ice creams, and even baked goods like bread and pancakes. It can also be blended into smoothies or milkshakes, or made into delicious jams and marmalades. Some creative recipes even use egg fruit to make vegan cheesecake, eggnog, or deviled "eggs"!

Egg fruit tastes great with spices like allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric. It also pairs well with flavors like orange, maple syrup, and nuts such as pecans, walnuts, and almonds. Coconut and vanilla are also wonderful additions.