Tropical Fruits of Dominica
and their local uses
Dominica is often called the breadbasket of the Caribbean. One of the reasons for this is its abundance of tropical fruits.
The list of fresh fruit available in Dominica is a long one and includes:
- Avocado
- Barbadine
- Carambola
- Cherry (Bajan)
- Cocoa
- Custard Apple
- Guava
- Grapefruit
- Limes
- Mango
- Oranges
- Papaya (or Pawpaw)
- Passionfruit
- Pineapple
- Soursop
- Tangerines
Guava
Eaten green or ripe, Guava is also boiled to make juice and/or jam.
Did you know…
A guava has more than 4 times the fiber and 19 times the vitamin C contained in an apple?
Carambola
Also known as Star Fruit, the Carambola is native to islands and countries of the Pacific. Commonly found around Dominica, it bares year round.
Locally it is blended into a juice or used in salads.
Avocado
Known locally as ‘Pear’, ‘Avocado Pear’ or ‘Zaboca’, this popular fruit’s main baring season ranges from about August – November. Used in a variety of ways, the Zaboca is used in
- Salads as a side or topping
- Made into Ball using Farine (cassava powder) – popular during Independence season
- Shakes and Desserts
Try this…
Blend: Avocado, Banana, Coconut Milk and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Add a little Sugar to taste for a thick yummy shake!
Cocoa
Once a thriving industry in Dominica, Cocoa trees do better on the drier west coast of the island. Walking through reclaimed forest it is common to come across trees bearing the yellow-orange pods.
- Cocoa can be eaten raw – the pods are cut open and the seeds which contain a white film is then sucked. The seeds are not eaten.
- Cocoa Tea (pronouned Ka-coe) is a very popular drink in Dominica and is made from the dried cocoa seeds which are rolled into Cocoa sticks. The sticks are then boiled with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and bay leaf, a later combined with milk, coconut milk, or Taloma before it is drunk. Sugar is added to taste.
When Taloma is added to the tea it is known as Whapap
Soursop
Ma Pampo who lived to 127 years claimed her diet consisted of a number of local produce such as boiled green fig (green banana) and Sour sop. Commonly used to make juice, the sour sop grows on the drier west coast and is usually available during the later summer months.
Juices are sometimes combined with milk or just water.
Papaya
Locally known as Pawpaw, this fruit is found all over the island.
Did you know…
The seeds are used as a contraceptive in traditional medicine? Although safe to eat when ripe, pregnant women should avoid the seeds and unripe fruit as they can induce premature labour.
