Smyrna times., 1881-08-03
Tropical Fruit


are beginning to receive in market some
of the choice varieties of oranges and ba-
nanas, while mangOes, sap0dillas, star APP
pies, chirimOyas or custard apples, sour
sops, mammees, pomegranates, bread fruit,
and occasionally guaves and fresh cocoa
nuts are included in the list of the fruit
stalls.
Mangos from jamaica are among the
most delicious of these rare fruits. They
are pear-shaped, with thick, red-cheeked
rind and an Orange-colored pulp. A large
pit the size of a peach-stone takes up half
the fruit, and contains bitter kernal
The specimens of this fruit brought to
market are said by those who have eaten
it in South America and jamaica to be eX-
cellent. 1t is necessary to pick the mango
when it is ripe as those that ripen after
they are picked are devoid of flavor and
worthless. 1t is consequently a perishable
cargo, and full 90 per cent. of those
brought to this market, spoil before they
reach this country. The sweet mango is
the specie usually seen here. There is a
slightly acid kind sometimes sold, which
is very pleasant to the taste. In selecting
mangoes, choose those that are hard and
firm; the thick, leathery rind retains its
shape long after the fruit is soft and con-
/ sidered spoiled. Fresh mangOes are worth
from so cents to 81 a dozen.
The sweet mangos putup at Bombay
are famous East India chutney, and a
popular accompaniment of curries in Eng
land Though seldom used in this coun-
try, they may be bought for 81 so bottle
They should not be cOnfounded with
picked musk melons, which are called
mangoes by New England house-keepers
The sapodilla is brown fruit the size
and shape of a large plum. 1t is served
for dessert, and is extremely juicy. The
variety brought here from Jamaica is the
nisperO of South America. 1t has severa
stones like those in dates, and its taste il
of clOying sweetness. Ripe sapodilla!
are offered in our markets in fair condi
ton at 40 to so cents q Dozen Canned
sapodillas from Nassau are 80 cents a can
An euthOusiast, speaking of the fruit o
the Antilles, calls the custard apple th'
''spiritualized strawberry" The rind wheI
ripe is a grayish green, and the snow
white pulp resembles in appearance firm
custard, and is thickly set with blacl
seeds. 1t is described rs happy mixtur
| of on1 oni1 FHho
spoken of by travellers as a fruit having
'the flavor of perfumed cream, frosteC
with sugar." The guanabana or soursol
is slightly acid, and is considered by ere
opinion which few Americans who hav
eeten it in Jamaica and elsewhere ar
ready to indorse. 1t is popularity serve,
in the West Indies soaked in wine. TIL
same family as the chirimoya, sweetso
is the pawpaw of the Mississippi valley
Custard apples and soursops are sold i
our markets, but they are the most diff
4 cult of all fruits to transport, and spec
mems which answer the description {
persons who have resided i'm the tropiC
/ are rarely sought. Custard apples can b
I, bought for from 10 to 20 cents apiece an
: soursops from 20 to 40 cents. A few lo
of chirimOyas have reached this countr
g. in fine order, but were brought in refrig
IN rators. The caimito or star apple is
x the same family as the sapodilla. 1t is
5. favorite fruit of Cuba, though its peculii
s. taste, or lack of taste, rarely pleases az
=. one who is not accustomed to it. It's pin
and white flesh, however, is very prett
Star apples are 40 to so cents dozen.
:. The hard red mammee is the variety
this fruit oftenest brought to our mark,
1t is gray, strealled with red, and VIII
cut is a rich yellow and gives forth
d, fragrant, magnoli-like odor. 1t is used
Cuba as a preserve, and though son
times eaten raw, is too hard to be easi
/. digestible The soft mammee is swC
as. and much more wholesome, and is
!. yorite dessert fruit. Mammees are frC
,l6 10 to Is cents apiece. w
LO' The guova, a tiny species Of pomegrs
: ate, is unfortunately most perishal
of fruit. A few specimens have come
- refrigeraters, but they are rarely offer
in our markets. They are small, pc
shaped canary-colored and pink insi'
and extreraely fragrant and luscious. I
jelly which is so we'll known to commel
is sold in tiny boxes at 25 cents, and
larger packages at 81. Canned guaN
are 80 cents a can.
The red and yellow banana are not
- ferent species. All bananas are natura
su. sTs yellow and are made red by graftil
md The effect of the graft runs out in sey
- years, when we have had sometimes
nanas that are red, spotted or streak