March, 1909.] 



239 



Edible Products. 



Garden), and Passion fruit (Passiflora). 

 So far, the demand for these "fancy 

 fruits," as they are called in the trade, 

 is limited, and the prices charged for 

 them are high. As the ftuits, however, 

 become better known and the means of 

 transport more perfect, it is reasonable 

 to suppose that they will become popu- 

 lar, and with a greater demand they 

 could be sold at lower prices. It is often 

 said that the chief recommendation of 

 most tropical fruits lies in their novelty. 

 Although this may be admitted in some 

 cases, tnere are strikiug exceptions. It 

 is true that the taste for certain tropical 

 fruits has to be acquired, but in the 

 case of the Tomato, an acquired taste 

 has been followed by the immense popu- 

 larity of this fruit. It has been said by 

 travellers that the three most delicious 

 fruits in the world are the Pineapple, 

 Cherimoyer, and Mangosteeu (Garcinia 

 Mangostana). The Mangosteeu is as yet 

 practically unknown in Europe, but its 

 good qualities may be, judged from the 

 opinion of Dr. Abel who said that "'of 

 eastern fruits the celebrated Mangosteeu 

 is first in beauty and flavour." Another 

 authority declared that " the flavour of 

 the Mangosteen partakes of the com- 

 bined taste of the Pineapple and Peach, 

 and other equally good but inexpres- 

 sible qualities." A peculiarity of this 

 fruit is that a large number may be 

 eaten at once. Therefore, one can under- 

 stand why these are always charged for 

 as extras on hotel menus in Ceylon. 



Covent Garden, the great horticul- 

 tural market of England, affords a 

 special opportunity of forming an ac- 

 quaintance with tropical fruits which are 

 seldom seen elsewhere in this country. 

 Rare tropical nuts and fruits may also 

 be seen and tasted at Shearn's Fruit- 

 arian Restaurant in Tottenham Court 

 Road, where numerous dainty dishes 

 are made entirely of fruits. 



The following sorts have recently 

 been noted in Covent Garden, and it 

 may be of interest to give a few of the 

 particulars concerning these as well as 

 descriptive notes from my own expe- 

 rience in the tropics :— 



Mango {Mangifera indica), — This is a 

 medium-sized or large tree ; the fruit 

 varies from the size of a plum to that 

 of a large goose's egg; very juicy and 

 often of a delicious flavour ; it is very 

 popular in the Eastern tropics for 

 desert and for making chutneys. The 

 fruits seen in Covent Garden are usually 

 brought from the Canary Islands, and 

 they are small. They are sold wholesale 

 at from 4s. 6d. to (5s. per dozen, good 

 specimens being retailed occasionally at 

 2s. to 3s. each. 



Avocado-Pear (Persea gratissima).—- 

 A small evergreen tree, having fruits 

 similar to large green pears, sometimes 

 streaked with red. It is a salad fruit 

 rather than dessert ; the pulp is of the 

 consistency of firm butter, and is scooped 

 out with a spoon, being flavoured with 

 vinegar-, pepper, and salt. This fruit 

 has recently become popular in America. 

 It is regularly imported to London from 

 the Canary Islands, and finds ready 

 buyers in Covent Garden at 4s, to 6s. 

 a dozen, but good fruits are sometimes 

 retailed at the price of 2s. to 2s. 6d. 

 each. 



Grape-fruit (Citrus decumana var). 

 —A globular fruit resembling a large 

 orange, to which it is allied. It is im- 

 ported in cases of 50 to 100 or more 

 fruits, according to their size, and the 

 fruits are retailed at 6d. to lOd. each. 

 This fruit comes chiefly from Florida, 

 where it is very popular. American 

 residents in London are the principal 

 buyers. " Grape-fruit " is an American 

 name, the fruit being a variety of the 

 Pomelo or Shaddock. 



Pomegranate (Pudica granatum).—A 

 shrub or small tree, with showy scarlet 

 flowers. The fruits are large and 

 globular, about 3 inches or more in dia- 

 meter, sometimes of a bright red or 

 orange-yellow in colour. The interior 

 consists of numerous, closely-packed, 

 large seeds, which are coated with an 

 acid, juicy, and astringent pulp. Pome- 

 granates are imported from South 

 Europe and^the Mediterranean, occasion- 

 ally retailed in Loudon at about 6d. to 

 lOd. each orfcheaper. 



Persimmon (Diospmos Kaki).—A small 

 bushy tree of the Ebony family, The 

 fruit is the form of a moderately-sized 

 apple, bright orange-yellow in colour, 

 with a shiny rind. The pulp, yellowish 

 in colour, is of [a peculiar astringent 

 flavour, for which a taste has to be 

 acquired before it can be enjoyed. The 

 fruit has an attractive appearance, and 

 it travels well. Persimmons are sent to 

 Covent Garden from South Europe, 

 neatly packed in tissue paper and 

 shavings, in boxes containing about two 

 dozen fruits in each. The fruit sells at 

 about 8d, to lOd. .each. 



Cherimoyer or Custard Apple 

 (Anona Cherimolia). — A large heart- 

 shaped, dull-green fruit, the rind :of 

 which has the appearance of being 

 formed of scales. The interior contains 

 white granular sweet pulp, somewhat 

 resembling custard. Weekly consign- 

 ments arrive in Covent Garden from 

 Madeira during the winter months. The 

 fruits are retailed at about Is. or more 

 each, being sometimes sold in West End 



