There are two kinds of people – those who have visited Hawaii and want to go again and those who dream of going there at least once.
For many of us, Hawaii embodies the ultimate dream vacation. And it’s not just because everyone else is crazy about going there. A popular honeymoon destination, the Hawaiian archipelago has everything you might need on your dream vacation trip.
Bright sunshine, fascinating beaches, mesmerizing waterfalls, and amazing cultural heritage – all surrounded by the deep blue of the Pacific. What else do you wish for a perfect vacation? Resorts, great food, scenic sunsets – you name it, Hawaii has it. We don’t even need to emphasize everything that awaits us in Hawaii. We know you know it well.
But we must tell you one thing you must know if you plan to visit Hawaii soon: Hawaiian fruits!
The islands of Hawaii are not only perfect for doing fun activities like surfing, boating, or chilling on the beaches. The place is a blessing for your tastebuds, as well. The exotic fruits you find in Hawaii are unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the States.
So, what are you waiting for? Come, delve into the magic of ten exotic fruits in Hawaii that will make you pack a bag of fruits on your return trip.
Mountain Apple
Mountain apples are already unique enough for their distinctive shape. Originally a fruit from Malaysia and Australia, the mountain apple arrived in Hawaii with Polynesian travelers over 1500 years ago. Except for their color, mountain apples look more like pears than apples.
Nevertheless, these are one of the most common fruits in Hawaii. The Hawaiian variety tastes very different from that of the mainland. So. even if you might have eaten them on the mainland before, don’t miss them here in Hawaii.
Popular in Hawaii with the name ‘Ōhi’a’ai, the Hawaiian mountain apples grow mostly from summer to fall. The outer skin is soft, shiny, and ruby red (when ripe). But the inside is white with a soft texture. The fruit is sweet and juicy and smells like roses. We can’t describe it in words; you must try it out!
Breadfruit
Breadfruits are one of the heaviest fruits you will find in Hawaii. These large fruits can grow up to 30 centimeters in diameter and weigh up to 12 pounds! They are similar to jackfruits in size and footballs in shape.
Breadfruits are among the most nutritious and power-packed fruits you’ll find anywhere. These large, round fruits contain several essential nutrients. They are rich in carbs and antioxidants and contain all nine essential amino acids.
Not just that, breadfruits also contain a heavy load of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are available in the Hawaiian markets throughout the year, with just a few short gaps.
You can cook breadfruits whole or in pieces and eat them in many ways. But a common way to eat breadfruits in Hawaii is by roasting them on fire until they turn dark and soft. The fruit then becomes similar to bread dough, hence the name breadfruit.
Fun fact: The Hawaiian term for breadfruit is “Ulu,” which is a much more popular name for the fruit used throughout Hawaii.
Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruits are one of the most exotic fruits in Hawaii. They are one of those fruits you can call “out of the world” without exaggerating. These oval-shaped fruits are a fruit of a cactus plant that blooms under a full moon.
Dragon fruits grow in Hawaii between July and October. The outer skin is bright red when ripe, and the long, triangular green leaves hang from the skin. The fruit can grow up to 4 inches in length. To eat dragon fruit, you can cut the fruit in halves and scoop the inner flesh. The taste is mildly sweet with a juicy texture.
Rambutan
Dragon fruits might seem “out of this world.” But rambutans look like something straight out of a James Cameron alien movie. You can’t look at these fruits without wondering where they came from.
Rambutans are small, oval-shaped fruits with thick red peel with long hair-like growths called spinterns. The flesh inside is white or translucent, with a single seed at the center.
These fruits are sweet and juicy, sometimes with a tang of sourness, and grow in clusters of 10 to 15. They are rich in copper and Vitamin C and contain several other minerals like iron and phosphorous.
Fun fact: Within India, Rambutans are grown most exclusively in the state of Kerala.
Apple Banana
The look of these fruits is not as confusing as their name. Apple bananas are a variety of bananas that grow in the Hawaiian wild. Their confusing name comes from their resemblance to another banana variety – Apple Tail.
Apple bananas in Hawaii are smaller than the bananas available on the mainland– about 10-14 centimeters long. You can savor these mildly sweet fruits by peeling them off and eating the dense inner flesh. Or you can try any other usual banana recipe.
Since apple bananas grow throughout the year, you can have them whenever you visit Hawaii.
Noni
Noni fruits are not the typical savory fruits you’ll enjoy eating. They have a very pungent odor that repels everyone away. After all, who would eat something that smells like rotten fish?
These fruits are small, usually around 10 centimeters in diameter. The unripe fruit is green in color but becomes light yellow after ripening. The inner flesh is soft and white and encloses many reddish-brown seeds. Noni is widely popular for its medicinal properties.
It is an effective pain-killer and can also help treat several ailments, such as ulcers and arthritis.
Passion Fruit
Passion fruits are here to satisfy your cravings if you are a lover of tangy fruits. These small fruits measure between 10 and 15 centimeters in size. The Hawaiians call it Lilikoi, which is available from June to January.
The smooth, shiny skin is thick and ripens with a small number of wrinkles on the surface. A greater number of wrinkles means overripe fruit. So, choose the ones that have fewer wrinkles. You can simply cut a passionfruit in half and slurp the yellow flesh along with the edible seeds. You can make them into juices or smoothies.
Persimmon
We have to admit: persimmons are perhaps the most delicious fruits on this list. Originally native to Asia, these small, round fruits are orange in color and have a sweet, juicy taste.
Although persimmons are abundant on the mainland, the Hawaiian persimmons have their unique flavor. Popular varieties that grow in Hawaii include Fuyu, Hachiya, and Maru. The Fuyu variety is sweet and crispy, while the Hachiya persimmons are softer. The maru variety has tiny brown spots that indicate high sugar content.
Persimmons are available in Hawaii from early autumn to late winter. No matter which variety you get, you are sure to get pleased.
Kumquat
Kumquats look somewhat similar to oranges but are significantly different in taste and texture. First off, they are much smaller– just 2-5 centimeters in length. The peel of Hawaiian Kumquat is usually orange or orange-red, enclosing the tender flesh resembling an orange’s.
If you have never eaten kumquats before, there’s something you should know. Do not peel off the skin before eating the fruit. The peel has a sweet flavor, while the flesh is completely sour. So it’s best to have kumquats whole to get a balanced taste.
Although kumquats are available throughout the year in Asia, you will usually find them during winter in Hawaii.
Star Fruit
The last fruit on this list of Hawaiian fruits has a special shape. But you might not realize it until you slice it. They are native to South Asia but grow readily in Hawaii as well.
True to their name, starfruits are star-shaped when sliced into pieces. They are bright yellow, with thick flesh inside. They can make an interesting salad with their unique shapes and sweet-tart flavor. The taste of star fruits partly resembles that of pineapple, apple, plum, and lemon. So, if you like any of these fruits, you will surely star fruits as well.
Star fruits are available in Hawaii from September to April.
A quick wrap-up
The Hawaiian archipelago brims with several activities and scenic places to keep you busy. But an important part of the exoticism of Hawaii is the food. And when it comes to Hawaiian food, you can’t overlook Hawaiian fruits!
That’s why we created this list of exotic fruits in Hawaii. In this blog, we discovered how the islands of Hawaii offer some great delicious fruits that provide a range of flavors to savor. We are sure that the next time you visit any of the beautiful Hawaiian islands, you will find yourself more knowledgeable about the different varieties of fruits the place offers.
We hope you loved this fruity blog. But if you have some feedback to make the blog more valuable, drop your comments right away. If you want to read similar value-filled blogs in the future, make sure to bookmark our website. This way, we will always be a couple of clicks away!