Fruits of Goa, The Canistel Fruit

Canistel (Pouteria Campechiana)  or the ‘Egg Fruit’ is grown by many households in Goa. It is not very common but it is still found in major market places like the Margao market. The Canistel fruit is also sold in some popular consumer exhibitions in Goa.

The Portuguese are known to have brought cashews to Goa from Africa. But it is not known how the Canistel has found  way in Goa and other parts of India from South and Central America where it is very popular and common.

The Canistel is a yellow-orange colored fruit native to South and Central America and some far-east Asian countries. The tree grows up to 10 to 15 meters. The Canistel is a very sweet fruit, it is dry and not juicy. Its flesh resembles the yolk of a boiled egg and hence it gets it colloquial name ‘Egg Fruit’.

The Canistel has several health benefits. It is known to contain several vitamins and minerals such as iron, niacin and fibre.

The best way to enjoy this fruit is to eat it like you would eat an icecream.

This image of the Canistel fruit is taken from my garden in Verna-Goa.