28 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOME TEOPICAL FRUITS. 



mcACo. 



( Chrysobalanus icaco. ) 



This is the fruit of a small shrub and is sometimes called the cocoa 

 plum. It is small and round, varying from 1 to 3 inches in diameter, 

 and averages about 8 grams (one-quarter ounce) in weight. The skin 

 is thin and green in color, shading to red on one side. The surface is 

 uneven, being covered with depressions which give it a shriveled 

 appearance. The seed is large, weighing almost half as much as the 

 fruit. The fruit is not eaten when fresh, and the two samples of pre- 

 serves examined show the usual low acid content (Table IX) and no 

 other features of interest. One sample was packed in glass and the 

 other in tin. 



CASHEW (M AHARON.) 



(Anacardium ocddentale. ) 



The cashew is a small, oddly-shaped, yellow and red fruit, 2 or 3 

 inches long, and from 1 to 2 inches across the bottom, decreasing 

 gradually in diameter toward the top, where it is half an inch narrower. 



The seed is small, grayish brown > and kidney-shaped, and is found 

 on the outside of the fruit, at its lower extremity. This seed is poison- 

 ous until roasted, when it is eaten with great relish. The meat 

 resembles that of roasted chestnuts, but contains more oil. 



The pulp is of a dull yellow color, tough, and very juicy, with an 

 acid astringent flavor and a marked, disagreeable odor. The fruit is 

 not eaten raw, but is somewhat used for preserving. The sample of 

 the preserves examined (Table IX) consists of the whole fruit put up 

 in glass in a very heavy sugar sirup. The flavor is insipid, owing to 

 the very low acid content. The fruit retails at from 10 to 30 cents a 

 dozen. 



STAR- APPLE (CAIMITO). 



( Chrysophyllum cainito, ) 



The caimito, one of the less important fruits, is but little used, 

 although some medicinal properties are attributed to it. Three dif- 

 ferent varieties are sold in the Havana market, one white and two 

 purple kinds, one of which is round and the other oval. The white 

 variety brings a slightly higher price and the sample of it examined 

 appears to be somewhat superior, as is shown in Table IX. 



The fruit attains the size of a small apple, averaging 200 grams (7 

 ounces) in weight. It contains two kinds of pulp, the inner one of 

 which, a white gelatinous mass containing the small black seeds, is 

 the edible portion, constituting only one-third of the fruit, the outer 

 fibrous purple portion being useless. It has a sweet characteristic 

 flavor and is eaten raw. No preserves were found on the market. 



