Fruits of the Gods

India has some unique fruits (or had - have not traveled in the local market to investigate current availability) that thrive in the tropics. Many bear strange names in the native language of the region they are found and have equally mysterious English names. Here is a sampling.. 1. Custard Apple - Nothing like an Apple in appearance or content this delicious custardy and seedy fruit is a delight when consumed at the right moment of ripeness. The kicker - natively called 'Sitaphal' aka the fruit of or belonging to Sita (one of the beauties of yesteryear mythology having been kidnapped - make that S(ita)napped by a demon called Ravana). This fruit naming makes no sense since Sita was the era's eye candy whilst the Phal or fruit named for her is basically ugly to look at. Blackish brown with texture like that of a pachyderm. 2. Ram Phal - Ram was allegedly Sita's spouse and again the association fails me. Lesser known fruit this and did not find much appeal in the broader economy for some strange reason. Perhaps its high maintenance? One would think the Sita version was but hey what do I know of yesteryear folks. 3. Jackfruit - this one again so named by the Raj (monarchs that hung out on the peninsula for hundreds of years) is a strange bird. I mean fruit. Spiny and heavy with maniacal effort required to get to the pulp inside it is one to beat. Literally to get it open. Smells divine (in a strange way) and again needs to be split to eat at the right moment of ripening (communicated by its unmistakable aroma). It yields shiny yellow pods that cling to an inside membrane. These pods are the sweet and chewy pulp - each pod contains a starchy pit which itself can be a delicacy when boiled with salt water. Locally called 'Phanas' (western coast of Maharashtra) it is also consumed in a less than ripe state as a curry - made right can be a delicious meal. 4. Chickoo - also associated with a parsimonious individual (not to be confused with the Parsees that inhabit the region) this dark brown fruit with a roughish texture is another unique creation of the tropics. Sweet and grainy its a distinct creation that can be enjoyed as is or in ice creams made from its pulp. Not sure what the etymological derivative is for this strange fruit. 5. Guava or Peru - I am not sure if Peruvians traveled through Indus valley at some point but the Guava which comes in two versions - white on the inside or pink is another sweet creation that can be totally what you crave on a hot day sitting under a tree from which you just plucked said fruit. I have enjoyed native Guava juice whilst in the isles of Hawaii; a divine beverage to enjoy kicking sand on the beach.