Sokah2Soca

The twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a blessed place indeed. We have a wide variety of plants and fruits that are linked to the mainland of South America. This post presents a list of fruits that I  ate as a child growing up in Trinidad. Of course, there are some listed here that I never tried. That is where you come in; you can help by providing some information that you are familiar with and, of course, correct me when and where you think corrections are needed. 

Some of the fruits may result with a what is that? I don't know that or, damn I remember that fruit! Oh, and you can leave a short note/paragraph about a good 'fruit memory/experience' - it may end up as a post on our Blog! 

I may not get them all but if you think I missed something please leave a comment to the post and I will update the list. Thanks in advance for any help you provide. 

Please scroll down below this Photo list for individually listed fruits. We added a 'must watch' video at the bottom of this post!

Some of the fruits found in Trinidad & Tobago:

Arrowroot - The powder arrowroot is derived from the root of the arrowroot plant and is used as a thickener for sauces. It does not have any taste.

Balata – Oh gosh, so sweet... thumbs up for Balata. Now, these fruits are not easy to get and can be found in some really tall trees. The fruit is very sweet but there is very little 'flesh' and a seed that is big inside (shell outside). You won't regret eating this fruit!

Bananas (aka Ripe Fig) – sweet especially if the birds start to eat them. Now we can't forget the following - Sikyé, Silk, Gros Michel, Mataboro and Lacatan. Bananas are really good for potassium but you can cut them up (ripe) freeze and use them in smoothies.

Bananas (aka Green Fig) - Good for soups and for boiling and eating with salt-fish buljol (yummy). One thing to note is that green bananas contain 'resistant starch' that is helpful for persons who want to control their blood sugar levels.

Barbadine (aka Giant Granadilla) - This fruit can be used (when ripe) to make a juice that is very similar to that of soursop. This fruit, unlike the soursop, grows on a vine that can be as long as 50 feet in length (sorry Trinis I am still using yards, feet, and inches).

Breadfruit:

Come on ah good 'oil down' or roasted... not considered poor people food anymore. There are two varieties - yellow and white (inside). The yellow variety is most popular in Trinidad. It is an excellent source of potassium, carbohydrate, and fiber.

Black Sapote - This fruit is not so popular in Trinidad and  I never ate this fruit! It is also known as Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Chocolate Persimmon, and Zapote Prieto. If you have had any experience with this fruit (in Trinidad and Tobago) please share your experience(s) with us.

Cacao (Cocoa) Pods - Trinidad has some of the best tasting Cacao in the World. However, the industry was sadly neglected. Today, there is renewed interest in this sector. Things are changing and the cocoa estates are on the rise again; a positive sign adding value to the agriculture sector.

Cacao (Ripe Cacao in the pod) - The pulp that surrounds the cocoa bean tastes good... Just try it (ripe ones please). As a child, I loved sucking the ripe fruit whenever we went to my uncle's estate in Biche. Good memories for sure. 

Cacao (Cocoa Seeds) - Trinidad & Tobago's cocoa has been used to flavor other cocoa varieties. Trinidad's cocoa won many awards because of its unique flavor. Cocoa bean niblets are added to smoothies as a mood enhancer... try it! The nibs contain 'theobromine' that acts as a stimulant and a diuretic. I had the pleasure of 'dancing on the beans' as a child... good ole days!

Cachiman (aka Cashima)- This fruit is also known as Jamaican Apple because it is sweet anjustify

Calabash: 

This was essential back in the day as a small water utensil. There was always one close to the barrel of water outside to use when taking a bath in the hot sun. Warm barrel water was fun to use for an outside bath. It was cut in half and 'gutted' then dried and put to use.

Carailli:
Gosh bitter like hell but I liked eating it as I matured (or should I say tolerated the taste)! I just learned that it is used as an anti-infective, anti-pyretic, anthi-elmintic and laxative

Cashew (Red and Yellow); cashew nut – Cashew was good for tying yuh tongue but the good ones were the ones the birds picked at, other than that the jam was really good. Cashew nuts, well now we could talk – loved roasting them and shelling and eating it right off the galvanize tray we roasted them on.

Chalta (Elephant Apple) - Now this is one fruit that I don't think you will eat "jus' so". This is still used to make anchar in the same manner green mangoes are used to make anchar.

Chataigne: This is Chataigne or as it is known in some places as 'bread nut'. This one was brought to my attention by Mingoao; it was not part of the listing. I don't know how I missed it because I have eaten so much curried chataigne with roti. The fully ripened fruit that drops from the tree leaves nuts that are boiled, shelled, and eaten. As kids, we called them 'farting pills'. I am sure you understand!


Chataigne Seeds: I don't know of anyone who did not enjoy eating chataigne seeds aka 'farting pills' as a youth. I said 'farting pills' because that is the name we called the boiled seeds of the fruits that fell from the trees.

Chenette (Quenepas) – A kid's delight - this is a very popular fruit that can be easily obtained in Trinidad's markets. The price is right but it is my experience that most of the chenettes are not really sweet. A little tangy sometimes but biting into the skin to get to the pulp inside is rather easy. If you love them then go for it!

Cherries: The photo of these delicious cherries were taken in the sunlight of sweet Trinidad by my brother at his home in Couva. Don't they look really delicious? Don't you wish you were back home and had the opportunity to eat some of these Trini Cherries? To be honest they look better than they taste... they taste good but not as good as they look!

Christophine (Chayote) - It looks somewhat like a pear but is in fact a vegetable. Trinidadian s love to use this vegetable when they make Chow Mein. It is cut into finger strips and added to the dish.

Coconut (Green variety) - This is the one that you will see on so many trucks (for sale) in towns across the country. Coconut water is low in calories, high potassium content, and is reputed to lower blood pressure.

Coconut (Chiney Coconut) - Same health benefits of the regular variety above but is generally better tasting (sweet). There are the Yellow and Green varieties and they are round and smaller than the regular variety. 

Coconut (Dry) - ideal for many recipes including sugar cake and the milk for callaloo and in the copra stage is used to make coconut oil. Coconut oil got a bad name but the science now lists it as good fat!

Coconut Jelly (Soft) - Now you can't simply drink coconut water and leave that soft delicious jelly in the shell... if you do, then you don't know what a treat you are missing. It is the coconut water that forms the jelly. Enjoy it and remember to leave us a line about the day you enjoyed eating coconut jelly.   

Cocorite:
l loved going in the ‘forest’ to get cocorite. The one with the white pulp was nice but the jewel was the one with the pink flesh inside. A bunch of cocorite could last a few days. If you can get these then eat, enjoy and savor!

Custard Apple:

This fruit is creamy inside with a very delightful taste. I have not eaten a lot of them and because of this, I am going to need to refresh my taste buds when I get back to Trinidad. I truly cannot remember the taste.

Damson - I need help with this one! Information is needed on the fruit and I also need a photo! My Paramin friend Gai told me that it is a type of plum!

Damson Fruit

Douns (Doung)
I ate it but can’t remember the taste. I believe it is also known as crabapple (not sure). Oh, and they also call it 'coolie plum'.

Fat Pork
This fruit is also known as 'Coco Plum' I ate it but don’t know what people loved about this fruit;  I considered the taste very bland! Thanks for the photo Gailos... Paramin Gold!

Five Fingers (Star Fruit or Carambola) 
I was not a lover of this fruit but it is good with salt and pepper! The fruit is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. This photo was taken from a tree in my brother's backyard in Couva!


Governor Plum (Flacourtia indica)
 Dark purple when ripe and considered a treat. These plums are sweet when ripe and good green/semi-ripe with salt and pepper!

Garnicia 
This fruit is also known as Lemon Drop Mangosteen fruit. I have no experience with this fruit. We need your help with this one.

Grapefruit - When ripe these fruits are a treat! Ripe grapefruits are really good. Of course, squeezing ripe grapefruits to make juice with a must with Sunday meals (we ate chicken on Sundays only as a child). Oh. they made good 'balls' to play soccer back in the day... street 'football' with small goalposts (cans). Two varieties in Trinbago.... the yellow and green skin varieties!

Shaddock (Pomelo) - The pink grapefruit is really sweet, for some reason we called it 'shaddock'(I don't have a clue about the name but that is what I remember calling it. My grandfather had a tree in his back yard next to an old latrine (man that tree produced so much sweet fruit). I guess the latrine helped – LOL.

Gri Gri 

I can't remember the taste of this one but I do recall that I liked eating it... appreciate it because it takes a lot to get the fruit! 

Gru Gru Bef (grugru bef) aka Banga fruit
Hardshell with a sticky delight inside. I remember that as kids we were pelting at the fruit on the tree to get it to drop to the ground and one of the stones bounced off the tree and busted my sister's head. That was a bloody situation, tears, and licks when we got back home!

Guava 
Yes, as a youth I loved making guava jelly, guava jam, and guava cheese eh... I really enjoyed making guava jam and guava cheese. We placed stones in the yard and boiled the guava outside to make the jelly/jam/'cheese'. 

Hog Plum
Gosh, yuh had to have ‘real belly to eat that’ – "Dat ting sour boi"! No one that I knew ate that fruit. The streets were literally littered with ripe fruit. I can't even remember the birds eating them. 

Jack Fruit 
This is Jack Fruit or as some call it Cowa. To be honest I am not familiar with this fruit. I don't recall ever seeing it in my 33 years of living in Trinidad and I have never ever tasted the fruit. 

Lime - a little lime juice to 'cut the freshness' from meat is a must! Limes and lemons are a must to wash chicken to get the 'slime' out of the meat. Then again to Lime in Trinidad is one of the best things one can do. To lime is to hang out with friends.

Lemon
The smell and skin of this fruit always piqued my curiosity. Lemon juice is used for washing chicken before seasoning - lemon juice is OK!

Mamisiporte
I don't recall eating this fruit but I heard so many people raving about the taste!

Mango Now we talking, that was tea, breakfast, and dinner. Curry mango, masala mango. This photo was also taken by my brother at his home in Couva! There are so many varieties in Trinidad. Favorites: Julie, Long, Calabash, Dou Douce, Vert, Rose...

Mango (green) - ideal for curry. Curry mango, Masala mango, red mango treats are just delicious. Then again the varieties are plentiful and delicious in Trinidad and Tobago. One very interesting mango was one we called 'scratch mouth'. One had to be careful peeling the mango because the 'liquid from the skin' can cause your mouth to itch! However, it was sweet...

Manicou Fig (A post from Trinigal): Manicou fig grows in the middle base of a pine patch. It is the size of Chiquito (figs) bananas When ripe it looks a bit yellow and covered with brown hairs. Tangy sweet taste.Sokah2Soca added: Bromelia pinguin (or penguin) is a species in the genus Bromelia. This species is native to Central America, Mexico, the West Indies, and northern South America. ... The fruit, known as piñuela, is dug out, protective "hair" removed, peeled like a banana, and eaten. 

Morouga Scorpion Pepper:
This was once the World's hottest pepper. It is now number two on the listing. Don't try this if you can't take the heat. YouTube has many videos of people failing miserably trying to eat these peppers.

Noni Fruit:
Some people swear that the juice from this fruit has healing capabilities... I know it stinks! I tried it and believe me there has to be a better way to feel good!



Nutmeg
Yes, we have nutmeg! So you thought we got them all from Grenada? "Nah, nah nah, doh try dat"!

Oranges
Loved going to the country estate in Biche that was a treat eating the fruit picked from the trees. All varieties are delicious and homemade orange juice is the best with brown sugar added for taste.

Passion fruit 
Had enough of this growing on our fence – delicious juice when served very cold.

Paw Paw (Papaya)
It was an acquired taste for me but now I just love eating it.

Penny-Piece
OK, I got a photo and some information... not much pulp but sweet! This fruit is also known as 'chocky apple'. 

Portugals aka 'Potigal' is a favorite fruit similar to mandarins

Peewah and Kerikel
I wasn't a lover of these/to each his own. This fruit is a member of the palm tree family and is also related to the gru gru that kids love so much.

Pineapple – Who doesn't love pineapple?

Plums
I am talking about the regular plums that you find in the back yards of Trini homes. The green ones are great as a kid's dessert with salt and 'bird peppers'. The ripe ones are yellow and are loved by the birds.

Pois Doux
This is a very unusual fruit but has a good taste to it... I doubt that it will be one that you would have a craving for though.

Pommecythre
If you don’t like pommecythre then something is really wrong with you. When they are ripe they are a delight and when pickled in salt water and pepper … exotic. Also known as June Plum and Golden Apple.

Pomegranate
This is one of the top ten fruits to use. It has been used to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Research shows that it can be effective against various forms of cancer and also Alzheimer's disease.

Pommerac 
This fruit is known elsewhere as the Otaheite Apple (Maple Apple). They had to be really ripe to be enjoyed; some people craved it. I simply ate it if it was available but I was not in love with this fruit.

Primrose
This fruit is also known as "Rose Apple". I was told that you can get this fruit in Paramin (in the Northern Range). Well, at least Gail (Wack Radio Shoutbox) told me that you can find them in Paramin.

Rambutan fruit: The tree and fruit of Nephelium lappaceum. Related to the lychee and guinep, the medium-sized tree produces bunches of small fruit with hairy, bright red, or reddish-orange skin. The edible fruit has pale flesh surrounding a single seed. © http://wiwords.com/word/rambutan

Sapodilla (Naseberry)
OMG so delicious. The outer color is brown and when ripe is so delicious.

Roucou or Ookoo
The liquid from this plant (seeds from the roucou fruit/pod) is used to add color to food/add to the taste. I remember picking this fruit from a tree behind our home. Oh, and by the way, this liquid made from the fruit is also known as the 'poor man's saffron'.

Series (Cerise)
This is a kid's delight! Purple in color when ripe; we used to roll them between our palms until soft then suck the content out - yes the good ole days!

Shaddock
Better known as Pink Grapefruit. We have a little trivia to add to this fruit post from 'Froggy': Shaddock is named for Captain Shaddock who introduced the pomelo to the West Indies in 1696. 

Stinking Toe
One of my favorite but not easy to pick from the tree.



Sour Cherries
Sour? Hell yes, but with a little salt and pepper is a great treat!

Soursop (Guanabana)
The drinks were simply delicious served cold (with ice) on a hot day.

Sugar Apple – I can't recall eating this fruit; it is also known as Sweet Sop. I may be confusing this one with Cachima. If I did eat this fruit I simply can't recall at this time.

Sugar cane 
Goes without saying – we love it!

Sorrel
Come on, Christmas is not the same without sorrel. This fruit is also known as Roselle or Rosella fruit.

Tamarind (tambran) – Yummy - "Tambran sauce & Tramban balls". Oh, a well-made tamarind sauce with the right amount of pepper can enhance the taste of 'doubles'... just try it! We can't overlook or forget about  "Chiney tambran"; the fruit is round and soft inside.

Tamarind Dayzah aka 'Chiney Tambran' - This is an unusual fruit that is very soft inside. I remember eating this on because (fortunately) one of our neighbors had a tree in their yard. This is not the kind of fruit that would cause your 'mouth to water!

Tangerine
We like to call this fruit 'Potigal' (Portugal)

Tonka fruit, (Tanka Bean)
“Doh eat it or else you will get short breath” – yea right, I love eating tonka fruit!

Tipitambo (Topi Tambo)
Is this a fruit? I thought you had to do it out of the ground? Hey, but it is nice to eat!

Watermelon
But of course, we love it.

Zaboca (Avocado)
I like the round ones that are like butter inside/put a slice on bread with a pinch of salt..now we are talking.

If I missed any fruit or misrepresented any fruit here, please leave a comment (or send an email to ananda2456@gmail.com) and I will adjust the posting. It was done to help us all recall the fruits we loved or did not like eating as children "back in the day"!

We have an updated video that was sent to me by my sister (living in Trinidad). I think it is very interesting and helpful. There are a few fruits in the video clip that are not listed above and a few that are listed but have different names. We will update the list soon!

Please note that Sokah2Soca does not own the rights to this video presentation. We have used it here for educational purposes only. We thank the creator of this video for the work done based on the fruits of Trinidad and  Tobago chart. All rights reserved to the creator of the video.