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Fruits in Colombia

One of the cool things about Colombia was drinking fresh fruit shakes to beat the heat. Before my first trip, I had never tried lulo, curuba, zapote, mamoncillo, granadilla, mamey, feijoa or uchuva. In Canada, even guanabana is exotic.

I was wondering how popular these fruits are in Colombian ex-pat communities, e.g. in the States. Are they readily available, or not so much? Any reason I couldn't set up a fruit shake biz in Canada, or do these things not travel so well?

Just curious. Also, how many of these fruit flavours are available in liquor/liqueur/alcoholic form?

By Man Tequila on Mar 1, 2007, 23:02 in Friendly Talkzone.

Rubito says on Mar 1, 2007, 23:39:

You have to get em in jars or frozen here In NYC or Miami they are pretty easy to track down. Granadillas are called grenadines in NA. Zapotes are in other parts of Latin America and those two might possibly be available fresh, although they probably don't make it into Canada.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

scotty says on Mar 2, 2007, 02:30:

most those fruits you cant even find in the states. i occasionally make myseft a mango y leche.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

MacGringo says on Mar 2, 2007, 02:33:

Scotty, mango y leche is the business, i love drinking that when in Colombia.I don't know about the other fruits but I always buy bananas from Colombia in the supermarkets in Scotland.

miamimike says on Mar 2, 2007, 02:48:

In most Large Cities Like LA, NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami where large Latin Populations reside it shouldn't be a problem to find these fruits fresh in large supermarket chains. I've seen the fruit pulp in frozen plastic bags as well here locally in Miami where I live. Add Fruta Bomba to your list as the this is the Name the Cubans gave Papaya, delicious in shakes(batidos)and otherwise,,,LOL Careful how use Papaya in Cuban Neighborhoods lest a Cubana take insult-thats why they refer to it as Fruta Bomba and not Papaya(el chiquito). We have a Ton of places in Miami, one place I go frequently is "Palacio de Jugos" on 57 ave South and W. Flagler street where they prepare many of the fruits you mention in Batidos(shakes).

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

Robert Jorge says on Mar 2, 2007, 06:28:

I don't know if he would export, but there is a fruit operation in south Miami Dade county (Florida City) called "Robert's Fruit Stand". (No connection to me) Most, if not all of the fruits you mentioned, are available there. Look him up; maybe you guys could work something out? The owner's name is ... yep, "Robert"

webmanco says on Mar 2, 2007, 07:04:

freijoa, uchuvas A few more, to the list, mangostino, pitaya, uchuvas, borojo, chontaduro.

All those fruits are exported as "Pulpa de Fruta"

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

miamimike says on Mar 2, 2007, 07:32:

Robert Jorge-I've been to that Stand I believe or one very similiar. Its located on Krome Avenue on the way down to the Evergaldes National Park. Also a few other stands that sell these fruit shakes on this road(krome avenue) between Miami and Homestead.

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

mrgizmo says on Mar 2, 2007, 09:20:

you guys left maracuya out of your list Maracuya is found in California (passion fruit) but I've never seen the fruit itself, just the juice. Fresh fruit is not allowed in California unless it's processed before. Even from other states in the union fresh fruit is not allowed unless you fill all the requirements set up by California. Driving into California from Nevas, Nevada, there's an agricultural check point where it's only purpose is to check for imported agricultural goods.

Behind every successful man, there's a nagging woman

webmanco says on Mar 2, 2007, 09:34:

When in Colombia if you do not trust the tap water, not matter what city you are in, then have a juice made. And if you don't trust the water from the restaurant or juice stand then take the bottle water with you, but do drink the juice that brings minerals and vitamins.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

Man Tequila says on Mar 2, 2007, 12:48:

I suppose customs would be an issue, but less so with more processing. My original list was not meant to be inclusive... I've never tried tomate de arbol, and don't remember the many other fruits available (you can get maracuya here). I made a point of bringing back all the exotic flavours of "Fruta Ya" and other drink crystals I could find -- which I figured would be easier to get through customs than puree, though less tasty and more artifical.

For the second part of the question, I have had lulo margaritas, etc. in Colombia (though usually drink beer). And you could probably get a vodka batido. But are there commercially available bottled liqueurs or alcoholic drinks that incorporate the unique fruits native to the Colombia region?

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

goin_south says on Mar 2, 2007, 19:06:

thanks mrgizmo.... I was trying to remember that name: MARACUYA!
I think it is one of the excellent ones.
My novia in Colombia always stops to get the juice or a little ice cream by that flavor. You seem to indicate it is the same as passion fruit, but I don't think it is, is it?

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

Man Tequila says on Mar 2, 2007, 19:40:

Maracuyá, fruta de la pasión, son las mismas.

'Tis.

scotty says on Mar 2, 2007, 20:29:

Mac i hear ya those mango y leche are delicious. when in cali i bet i drink 2 of those a day. here in the states i make my own mango y leche and im getting pretty good at it. Did you say Scotland??? Thats where my family comes from on my fathers side, my dad came from Scotland to U.S. when he was 8 years old. Greenich Scotland, I am told i still have many relatives there.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

billyb says on Mar 2, 2007, 20:36:

Jugo de lulo, god's gift .... to mankind.

Man Tequila says on Mar 2, 2007, 20:42:

Lulo con leche is very good. Lulo margaritas not so much. You can buy lulo flavoured drink crystals in Colombia which are pretty good and easy to transport.

goin_south says on Mar 2, 2007, 21:56:

Maracuyá, fruta de la pasión, son las mismas. No wonder it's her favorite! ;)

why can't the freakin Chung King Chinese just LEAVE THE FREAKN DOLLY LLAMA and Tibet ... ALONE!

Rubito says on Mar 2, 2007, 22:13:

Nothing chiquito about the papaya It's the other side that the papaya refers to dude!!

In the DR it is called Lechosa. Also Maracuya can be called chinola or parcha.

Don't make lulo in milk with fresh fruit, only with the pulp. The fresh fruit is too acidic and will curdle the milk.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

miamimike says on Mar 3, 2007, 03:55:

Man_Tequila on Colombian Liquor, Try "Coloma" it comes in a Elegant Dark Brown square bottle, 750 ml size. It is a Colombian Liqour distilled from Colombian coffee beans and is incredible. Its sad that Colombian isn't better known for this Fine Domestic Liquor but rather for its RotGut Aguardiente. It can be found at upscale Liquor stores and also at the Airport Duty Free Shop in Bogota. Cost is around $11-$14 depending on the exchange. I use mine on Vailla Icecream. Its been around for years, not a new item.

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

MacGringo says on Mar 3, 2007, 06:01:

Scotty, we're related man..haha

Robert Jorge says on Mar 3, 2007, 09:44:

Yep Miami Mike. That "Robert is here" fruit stand is near Krome Ave. Krome Ave south until Palm Dr. in Florida City / Homestead. Then, turn right and follow the signs to Everglades National Park. 1 mile. The biggest part of the business is the smoothies they make. All the fruit is locally grown. And you are right, Krome Ave through the Redlands is one vegetable, fruit, plant stand after another.

miamimike says on Mar 3, 2007, 09:51:

Robert Jorge, Know the Stand Well I used to work father north on Krome Avenue at the Fed Krome Detention Center which is located about 1/2 mile south of the Micossukee Indian Gaming Resort,I head to Homestead when I have the tase for Mexican Food as there are a ton of Mexican restaurants there along with all the fruit/Veg stands.

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

scotty says on Mar 3, 2007, 11:08:

Mac Hows it going Bro?!

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

Robert Jorge says on Mar 4, 2007, 01:47:

Miamimike - I had my first burrito de lengua at la cabradita (sp?) on Krome in Homestead in 1997. Damn good. I thought it was steak until told otherwise. It was so good, I didn't care when I found out it was tongue. If anybody is in the Miami area and enjoys food, visiting deep south Dade is a must. Miamimike - ever go to "Hungry Bear" next to the community college in Homestead? I think they call it something else now. Anyway, best sandwiches served anywhere ... period. (my opinion)

Man Tequila says on Mar 4, 2007, 09:14:

If the batidos are that good, and they are, must be money in making Colombian fruit liqueurs if they don't exist.

Mononoke28 says on Mar 6, 2007, 08:47:

No matter... ... where you live in the States (and even Canada) you will never find fresh fruit like you do in Colombia, or Latin America. Even the mangoes are bigger and with much nicer color. Frozen maracuyá is not the same. Moras are not even close to any berry you may find here. Lulo... forget about it. Borojó, can't find that anywhere here. The one thing I loved in Colombia was buying Pulpifruta. You mix it with water (and yes I used tap water in Medellín and didn't die from diarrhea) and it was deelish. I also kept drinking my 8 glasses of water daily and nothing happened.

Diana

athensugadawg says on Mar 7, 2007, 08:29:

HEY MMIKE... Hate to burst your bubble, but I know the place on Flagler as well. Went there one day, got out of my car, and observed the vendor doing some very questionable things with his nose. Must have been jam-packed with mocos. Needless to say, he didn't get my business that day...

Man Tequila says on Mar 7, 2007, 10:30:

I read in this morning's "Toronto Star" about a Torontois Colombian chicken joint which sold guanabana, tomate de árbol and lulo batidos. It's on Eglinton near Dufferin. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

Azul says on Mar 7, 2007, 10:41:

Pulpifruta I always bring a handfull of these back with me in my suitcase. Try 'em with milk instead of water...very tasty. Although nothing beats a pitcher of fresh jugo de lulo!

las cosas caen por su propio peso

Lisa Zee says on Mar 7, 2007, 19:07:

Chirimoyas I have been buying 'chirimoyas' and 'guavas' at the farmers market here. But nothing better than eating them from the trees or markets in Colombia. We have so many different kinds, you have to see them to believe!!!

Monpirri says on Mar 8, 2007, 02:03:

Man Tequilla Man Aguardiente, take some aguardiente and make a Colombian drink!

Aguardiente es el nombre genérico de bebidas alcóhólicas, de entre 40 y 45 grados, que pueden ser bebidos, ya sea puros, añejados, aromatizados o mezclados. Se obtienen por destilación del vino o de determinados cereales, frutas o semillas, como centeno, cebada, bayas de enebro, cereza, uvas y el anís, entre otras. El nombre deriva del latín aqua ardens, término con el que se llamaba al alcohol obtenido por destilación.

Se clasifican en tipos secos y anisados. El nombre "aguardiente" se aplica en algunos países latinoamericanos exclusivamente al destilado de jugos de caña de azúcar ya sea en su estado natural (Venezuela, Perú) o mezclado con anís (Colombia).

Los árabes fueron los primeros en destilar vino para obtener alcohol, difundiéndose luego por Persia, Siria, Egipto y Sicilia durante la época de Alejandro Magno que, en aquel entonces, era rey de Macedonia, durante la conquista y organización del Imperio Persa en 327 a. de C. aproximadamente. La expansión de sus dominios abrió canales comerciales que facilitaron la difusión e influencia de artículos, especies y costumbres entre Asia Meridional, sur y sudeste de Europa y el Norte de �?frica.

La historia del aguardiente en Europa comienza en el siglo XIII, en Italia. En la búsqueda de un elixir que asegurara la vida eterna, los científicos de aquel entonces dedujeron que aquel podría extraerse del espíritu mágico presente en el vino. Así empezó la destilación que dio origen al aqua vitae o agua de la vida. A medida que el arte de la destilación se difundía por toda Europa medieval, el aqua vitae pasó a ser el eau de vie en Francia y el usige beatha (que en gaélico significa whisky) en las islas británicas.

Cuando el aqua vitae llegó a Escandinavia, donde es considerada la bebida nacional, a fines del siglo XV, se seguía produciendo, exclusivamente, del vino. Pero como la vid no crece en climas fríos, el vino tenía que importarse, lo que convertía a esta bebida en un producto exótico y costoso, utilizado principalmente como medicina. Al no lograr la inmortalidad, al aguardiente, o branvin (vino quemado) -como también se lo conocía-, se le atribuyeron maravillosos poderes curativos.

El auge de las preparaciones médicas y farmaceúticas del alcohol, influyeron en la popularización del aguardiente. Se creía que el aguardiente curaba una amplia variedad de dolencias, desde verrugas hasta pestes. Por cierto, no había nada que no curara, hasta el alcoholismo. Además, su uso no se limitaba a los humanos: si se enfermaba un caballo, esta mágica poción era capaz de restablecer la salud y la felicidad del animal. Para mejorar su sabor se comenzó a agregarle azúcar, limón, naranja, flores de azahar, pétalos de rosa, granos de anís y hasta pepitas de oro.

Cuentan que Cristóbal Colón llevó la caña de azúcar en su segundo viaje a América. Con los primeros cultivos comenzó a fabricarse el aguardiente. Un siglo más tarde, ya el aguardiente se consumía mucho más que la chicha.

Aguardientemente,

Monpirri

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

Man Tequila says on Mar 8, 2007, 16:59:

I've drunk my share of anise aguardiente. I've had cola de mono and murtadoes too. It's pretty good. I haven't tried mixing aguardiente, with fruit -- but if it was that good, it would have been done, no?

I met a lot of people who were not keen on aguardiente.

CaptainHowdy says on Mar 8, 2007, 18:19:

Quite a selection of very tasty fruit drinks being discussed here. It makes me want one already...I'll certainly have to try them all. I suppose they can be found with relative ease in Manizales and/or Pereira?

Teaching preteens the things they need to know!

Mononoke28 says on Mar 9, 2007, 12:16:

Don't forget... ... Mangas. They're bigger and don't have all those fibers that mangoes have.

Diana

CaptainHowdy says on Mar 10, 2007, 17:04:

Hurry up!!! I wish summer would hurry and get here so I'll have some idea of what all of you are talking about. I like to share my thoughts but, as of now, I have no quality thoughts. Once I have actually been to Colombia, I'm sure many of these comments will make a whole lot more sense. Heck, maybe I'll even be able to answer a question and sound somewhat intelligent. Until then, I'll have to live vicariously through you folks...Keep sharing your experiences. I enjoy reading about them and sieving out the pertinent information.

Teaching preteens the things they need to know!

Man Tequila says on Mar 10, 2007, 18:19:

In Colombia, make a point of seeking out the fruit stands. Batido is a milkshake -- you get the fresh fruit made "con agua"(with water) or "con leche"(with milk). Try every fruit you've never heard of.

CaptainHowdy says on Mar 11, 2007, 19:27:

Alcohol or not How do you know which drinks have alcohol in them and which ones do not?

Teaching preteens the things they need to know!

Man Tequila says on Mar 11, 2007, 19:31:

I have a natural feel for this sort of thing after the first twenty or so. I start to feel funny, then I post seven threads on scopolamine.

Batidos don't contain alcohol. The national drink is an anise liquor, similar to ouzo, called aguardiente.

larumberainglesa says on Mar 12, 2007, 06:50:

All I can say is you lucky bastards living in the US (from a fruteros point of view you understand) In the UK my local supermarket stocks passion fruit at around $1.80 each. So that's an expensive drink. They also have uvillas (and I think I am the only person who buys them). And that's about it! (I can't speak for London). But I am very happy that they now sell PLATANOS! this is a miracle as before I had to drive for an hour to find them.