Consumer Demand for Exotic Fruits on the Rise
Equally popular turkey is a perfect culinary compliment!

Looking for an early taste of fresh summer fruits? Then take advantage of the wide variety of fresh tropical and exotic fruits already available at your local grocery store. These delicacies make flavorful, colorful compliments to salads, rice dishes and mild-flavor proteins such as turkey. From mangos and papayas to kiwi and starfruit, you can enjoy fresh fruit year-round!

"With today's global market, we can receive the fruits that add color, flavor, texture and excitement to the American plate," said Caren Shoemaker, vice president of communications for the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. While many of the fresh fruits found during the summer and fall are grown in the continental U.S., advances in transportation and distribution methods allow us to enjoy fresh fruit imports from tropical climates such as Hawaii, Central and South American countries like Chile and Costa Rica.

U.S. consumers are developing more of a taste for fresh tropical fruits, and over the past five years, imports of tropical fruits have been increasing to satisfy this growing demand. "We are seeing increased demand for these products as a result of the changing demographic mix in this country," said Robin Osterhues, director of marketing for Frieda's Inc., a marketer of exotic fruits and specialty vegetables. As further proof of this rising popularity, a recent report from The Food Institute, a Fair Lawn, N.J.-based non-profit food trade association found that imports of guavas and mangos have increased more than 86 percent in the past four years. Over the last 10 years, per capita consumption of fresh mangos has increased 163 percent, fresh papayas 106 percent.

Experiment with these culinary delights by using them in chutneys, salsas or relishes. The National Turkey Federation (NTF) suggests savoring the unique flavor of exotic fruits by combining them with a mild protein like turkey. Try Cumin Turkey Tenderloins with Mango-Ginger or Spicy Papaya salsas. Stir-fry ripe fruits and turkey cutlets for a delicious, quick to prepare meal. Or, dice starfruit, papaya or mango and add to grilled turkey salad," said Sherrie Rosenblatt, director of public relations for NTF. And don't forget, health authorities agree that diets rich in low-fat foods like turkey, and filled with fruits and vegetables can lower your risk of cancer and other diseases.

Exotic Fruit Facts

Papayas - a tropical fruit which is melon-like in texture and has a delicate fragrance. Flesh color can be yellow or orange-red. Size and shape vary. When purchasing papaya, look for well-colored fruit. Allow it to ripen at room temperature until the skin has turned at least half yellow. Once ripe, it can be refrigerated. Papaya is a good source of vitamins A and C.

Star Fruit - also known as Carambola, is a native of Southeast Asia and India. It is also grown in Hawaii and Florida. Named for the five-pointed star shaped slices it makes, star fruit's pale yellow, juicy flesh contains a few small, flat seeds. It's naturally glossy skin is edible. The starfruit's flavor ranges from sweet to tart and has been likened to a combination of orange and pineapple. Tart varieties are similar to lemon. Greenish starfruit should be stored at room temperature in a paper bag until they turn golden and develop a fragrant aroma. Once ripe, they can refrigerated for a few days. Starfruit are low in calories and a good source of vitamins A and C , as well as potassium.

Mangos - have a yellowish-orange flesh, a rich flavor and spicy aroma; they vary in size and shape. Some varieties change colors as the ripen and turn more yellow or red. Mangos must be fully ripe before eating. Let them ripen at room temperature until soft, then use or refrigerate for a few days. Mangos are rich in vitamins A and C.

Passion Fruit - is egg-shaped and has a thick, hard shell that is deeply wrinkled when ripe. The aromatic, jelly-like flesh of this tropical fruit is sweet-tart in flavor and filled with soft, edible seeds. The color varies, depending where the fruit was grown. New Zealand passion fruit is purple, while Hawaii's is yellow. Choose fragrant, shriveled, wrinkled fruit that is rich in color. If the skin is smooth, ripen at room temperature, turning occasionally. Passion fruit can be refrigerated in a plastic bag for a few days, or frozen for longer storage. Passion fruit contains about 16 calories and has small amounts of vitamins A and C.

Guavas - there are many different varieties which range in appearance and flavor. Guavas can be round or pear-shaped. They range in taste from tart to sweet with flavors similar to strawberries,, pineapple, bananas, or a combination of them all. Select fruits very yellow in color. Allow guavas to ripen at room temperature until they yield to palm pressure. Once ripe, guavas can be refrigerated a day or two. If stored longer, the skin turns leathery, but the fruit is still fine.

**Information provided by Melissa's Brand/World Variety Produce, Inc., a large, California-based distributor of specialty produce in the United States.**