Tropical Fruits
Instructions: How well do you know exotic and tropical fruits from around the world?
- 1.
Which tropical fruit is known as the 'king of fruits' and has a notoriously strong smell?
ADurianBJackfruitCPapayaDMango - 2.
What tropical fruit contains the enzyme bromelain, which helps digest proteins?
ACoconutBPineappleCMangoDBanana - 3.
Where did bananas originally come from?
ASouth AmericaBCentral AmericaCSoutheast AsiaDAfrica - 4.
Which tropical fruit is the main ingredient in guacamole?
APapayaBPlantainCMangoDAvocado - 5.
What is the world's largest tree-borne fruit?
ADurianBBreadfruitCJackfruitDCoconut - 6.
Which tropical fruit was once so rare in Europe that King Charles II posed for a portrait receiving one as a gift?
ABananaBMangoCCoconutDPineapple - 7.
What tropical fruit is also known as 'pawpaw' in some countries?
APapayaBGuavaCPassion fruitDStarfruit - 8.
Which fruit has a star-shaped cross section when sliced?
AStarfruit (carambola)BRambutanCLycheeDDragon fruit - 9.
What is the small, spiky red fruit native to Southeast Asia that looks like a sea urchin?
ALycheeBRambutanCLonganDMangosteen - 10.
Coconut water, found inside young coconuts, is naturally rich in which mineral?
AIronBCalciumCZincDPotassium - 11.
What colorful tropical fruit has bright pink or yellow skin and white or red flesh with tiny black seeds?
AGuavaBPassion fruitCPomegranateDDragon fruit (pitaya) - 12.
Which tropical fruit is often called the 'queen of fruits'?
AMangosteenBPassion fruitCPapayaDMango - 13.
Which country is the world's largest producer of mangoes?
AIndiaBMexicoCThailandDBrazil - 14.
What tropical fruit gets its name from the Spanish word for 'passion' and has a distinctive wrinkled purple skin?
AFigBPassion fruitCGuavaDTamarind - 15.
Plantains are closely related to bananas but are typically prepared how?
ADried into powderBEaten raw as a snackCJuiced into drinksDCooked before eating
Answer Key
Durian is called the 'king of fruits' in Southeast Asia. Its smell is so pungent that it is banned in many hotels and public transport systems in the region.
Pineapple contains bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme. This is why pineapple juice is used as a meat tenderizer and why eating too much can cause mouth irritation.
Bananas originated in Southeast Asia, likely in Papua New Guinea. They were domesticated thousands of years ago and spread to Africa, the Middle East, and eventually the Americas.
Avocado is the primary ingredient in guacamole, a traditional Mexican dip. Avocados are technically a berry and are native to south-central Mexico.
Jackfruit is the world's largest tree-borne fruit, with individual fruits sometimes weighing over 80 pounds (36 kg). It is native to South and Southeast Asia.
Pineapple was so rare and prized in 17th-century Europe that it became a symbol of wealth and hospitality. King Charles II was painted receiving a pineapple as a royal gift.
Papaya is called 'pawpaw' in Australia and some other countries. It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and the enzyme papain, which aids digestion.
Starfruit (carambola) gets its name from its distinctive star shape when sliced crosswise. It is native to Southeast Asia and has a sweet-tart flavor.
Rambutan is a hairy-looking fruit native to Southeast Asia. Its name comes from the Malay word 'rambut' meaning 'hair,' referring to its spiky exterior.
Coconut water is naturally rich in potassium, containing about 600 mg per cup. It also contains natural electrolytes, making it a popular hydration drink.
Dragon fruit (pitaya) has a dramatic appearance with its bright pink or yellow skin and speckled flesh. It grows on a type of cactus native to Central America.
Mangosteen is called the 'queen of fruits' for its delicate, sweet-tangy flavor. Queen Victoria reportedly offered a reward to anyone who could bring her fresh mangosteen.
India is the world's largest producer of mangoes, growing about 40% of the global supply. Mangoes have been cultivated in India for over 4,000 years.
Passion fruit was named by Spanish missionaries who saw the flower's structure as a symbol of the Passion of Christ. It has a tart, aromatic pulp filled with seeds.
Unlike dessert bananas, plantains are starchier and are typically cooked before eating. They are a dietary staple in many tropical countries, served fried, boiled, or baked.