Belize's Seasonal Fruits: A Tropical Treat

Belize is home to a wide variety of fruits, with its warm climate and sunny days contributing to an abundance of mouth-watering produce. While some fruits are available year-round, such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, papayas and coconuts, others are more seasonal. For instance, the summer months bring more delicate and exotic fruits like soursop, dragon fruit, custard apple, star fruit and mangoes.

Belize's rich and fertile soil supports a range of tropical fruits, including some that are indigenous to the country, such as Coco Plum, Craboo, Kinnep and Molly Apple. The country's produce is often cited as one of the perks of visiting Belize, with its fresh and tasty fruits available everywhere from local farmers' markets to convenience stores and fruit stalls.

Sapodilla: Available from December to March, this fruit is native to Belize and the Yucatan, Mexico

Sapodilla, a fruit native to Belize and the Yucatan, Mexico, is available from December to March. The evergreen tree that bears the fruit, Manilkara zapota, can grow up to 98 feet (30 meters) in height. The round or egg-shaped sapodillas have brown, rough skin and are typically 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm) in diameter. The flesh is yellow to light brown in colour and has a soft to slightly gritty texture, depending on the variety. The fruit has a sweet taste due to its high sugar content and is commonly eaten raw, but it can also be incorporated into drinks and baked goods.

Sapodilla is sometimes referred to as the "brown sugar fruit" because of its sweet, malty flavour and soft, grainy texture that resembles brown sugar. The fruit is safe to eat, but it is important to avoid consuming the seeds, as they can get stuck in your throat.

Sapodilla is an excellent source of fibre, vitamins like vitamin C, and minerals like copper. It also contains protective plant compounds such as polyphenols. In traditional medicine, various parts of the sapodilla tree, including the leaves, bark, and fruit, have been used to treat conditions like fever, ulcers, and arthritis.

To enjoy sapodilla, simply cut the ripe fruit in half, scoop out the seeds, and savour the flesh straight from the skin. You can also get creative and add sapodilla to recipes like jams, fruit salads, syrups, cake batters, chutneys, and custards. In Thailand, it is sometimes fried, while in the Bahamas, mashed sapodilla pulp is commonly added to pancake and bread batter.

Mangoes: Available in June, July, and August, mangoes are a treat in Belize, with various types in different shapes, sizes, and colours

Mangoes are a beloved treat in Belize, with a season that typically runs from May through September. However, one source notes that mangoes are available in Belize as early as June, all the way through to August.

There are as many as 900 different types of mangoes, each with its own unique taste, size, shape, and name. In Placencia Village alone, you can find at least 15 varieties, including blue, black, and white mangoes, the slipper-shaped thundershaw, the famous Julie mango, the tiny sweet judge-wig, apple mango, garlic mango, hairy mango, and the ballet shoe-shaped slippers mango.

Mango trees are incredibly productive, and during the mango season, you can find mangoes for sale at local fruit and vegetable stands, as well as in restaurants showcasing fresh mango in fruit salads, desserts, and blended drinks. Mangoes are enjoyed both ripe and green in Belize. Green mangoes are often peeled, sliced, and put in a plastic bag with salt and/or hot pepper, sold as a popular street snack. Ripe mangoes are simply bitten into, with the juice running down your arms—a true tropical delight!

Mangoes are incredibly versatile, and in Belize, they are used in a variety of dishes and drinks. You can make mango chutney, stew the entire peeled ripe fruit in brown sugar, or turn your surplus into a luxurious mango smoothie. For a boozy treat, try mango wine, mango margaritas, or even mango BBQ sauce. Mangoes are a true delight in Belize, with their versatility, availability, and mouthwatering flavours.

Pineapples: While pineapples are available year-round in Belize, they are especially tasty in May and June

Pineapples are a beloved tropical fruit in Belize, known for their tangy sweetness and impressive health benefits. While you can find pineapples in Belize all year round, they are said to be especially tasty in May and June.

Pineapples are native to the tropical climate of Belize and are widely available across the country. They are a staple in the daily diet of many Belizeans, who enjoy the fruit as a tasty addition to fruit salads, drinks, and desserts. The fruit is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and manganese, which boost the immune system and contribute to strong bones and tissue health.

What sets pineapples apart is the presence of bromelain, an enzyme that aids in digestion by breaking down proteins. This makes pineapples an excellent choice for a post-meal snack. Additionally, pineapples are rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

In recent years, pineapples have become an important crop in Belize, particularly in the Stann Creek Valley and northern Toledo district. The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) and the Citrus Products of Belize Limited (CPBL) have been working to establish pineapple as a significant second crop for citrus farmers in these regions. With the planting of the MD2 variety, which is ideal for processing due to its shape and high pectin levels, Belizean farmers are aiming to supply pineapple concentrate to the local and CARICOM market.

So, if you're looking to indulge in some delicious and nutritious pineapples, May and June are the perfect months to visit Belize and enjoy this tropical treat at its tastiest!

Papayas: Another fruit available year-round, papayas are a popular export of Belize and are super sweet when eaten at the right time

Papayas are one of the most popular fruits in Belize and are available all year round. They are believed to have originated in Southern Mexico and Central America, and by the time the Spanish arrived, they had already spread throughout Central and South America. The Spanish introduced the fruit to Asia in the 16th century, and by the 19th century, it was being grown in all tropical regions across the world.

The papaya plant is most famous for its sweet and tender fruit, but it has various other uses. The raw fruit contains the enzyme papain, which has a variety of uses, including as a meat tenderizer. The ripe papaya fruit has a sweet, somewhat musky taste and soft texture that is comparable to the cantaloupe. It is commonly used in desserts and sweets, such as ice cream, cakes, and pies, but it can also be baked for savory dishes and treated like a root vegetable. It is also popular as a juice or in blended drinks. The green, unripe papaya is especially popular in South Asian cuisine and is used in fresh salads or cooked. The leaves are often prepared like spinach in India, while the seeds are sometimes ground to resemble black pepper.

Papayas are a popular export of Belize, and the country has a well-known papaya-packing plant in Little Belize, an Old Order Mennonite community. The Mennonites comprise only 3.4% of Belize's population but are one of its most intriguing ethnic groups, standing out with their blond hair and blue eyes and their traditional dress. They are devout pacifists and reject most of society's political ideologies, including paying taxes, which has meant a long history of moving around the world in search of peace. Most of the Belizean Mennonite groups migrated from Mexico after they were faced with the prospect of joining the national social security system in 1958. They have benefited from Belize's tolerant society and laissez-faire policies, while Belize has benefited from their industriousness and agricultural expertise.

Dragon Fruit: Available in April and May, this fruit is known for its unique appearance and sweet taste

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a unique-looking fruit that is available in Belize during April and May. It is known for its sweet taste, which has been compared to that of a white kiwi or honeydew melon. The fruit is usually red, with red vines, but it can also be found in pink and white varieties. Dragon fruit grows on a cactus and is considered one of the most exotic and nutritional fruits in Belize.

Dragon fruit is a popular ingredient in cocktails, such as the dragon fruit margarita. It can also be enjoyed as part of a breakfast fruit platter or as a healthy snack. The fruit is widely available at local markets, convenience stores, and fruit stalls across Belize.

Dragon fruit is just one of the many delicious and exotic fruits that Belize has to offer. The country's tropical climate and fertile lands allow for a bountiful array of fruits and vegetables to thrive. Visitors can enjoy a variety of fresh, sweet, and sour fruits, as well as unique candied fruit snacks and fruit-based drinks.

In addition to dragon fruit, some other fruits to try in Belize include the following:

• Sapodilla: Native to Belize and Yucatan, Mexico, this fruit has a sweet taste and a granular texture.
• Soursop (Guanabana): A heart-shaped fruit that is commonly used in ice cream and juices.
• Star Fruit (Five Fingers): A star-shaped fruit that can be sweet or tart and is often used in salads, desserts, or as a garnish.
• Mamey: A salmon-coloured fruit with a custard-like taste and texture, commonly used in smoothies.
• Craboo (Nance): A sweet, yellow fruit used to make stewed Craboo and Craboo ice cream.

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