There are many amazing fruits and vegetables in Costa Rica that you may never have heard of but must try!

Travelling to Costa Rica there are some certain guarantees. The beautiful beaches, great cocktails and the fresh fruit served in the morning – Sweet pineapple, watermelon, mangoes and bananas that are always perfectly textured  and always heavenly.

A trip to the local grocery store or farmer’s market in any town in Costa Rica will be teeming with all your favourite fruits. But, you will also see many Costa Rican fruit that you may not even know existed and absolutely must try.

Pejibaye

Pronounced pey-hee-ba-yee, this Costa Rican fruit is picked from the Bactris Gasipaes palm tree. This tree is also the same species that provides heart of palm. Also known as the peach palm or palm fruit, pejibaye are small with vividly coloured skins that range from yellow to dark red. The fruit is generally boiled in salted water and are sold in big vats where they rest in the boiled water. You will even find them in large grocery stores like Auto Mercado, where you can scoop a bag full. They are generally served peeled and sliced with dollops of mayonnaise. The taste is a cross between a potato and a chestnut. Pejibaye are often used to make soup. If you see this on the menu, it is a must try. The starchy texture of this fruit makes for a wonderful rich and creamy soup.

Mamon Chino

Originally a fruit from Southeast Asia, the Mamon Chino is also known as the rambutan. The size of a golf ball, the mamon chino is either a red or yellow with soft spines. You peel open the skin and inside is a sweet pulp that tastes similar to a grape but with a softer texture. Mamon Chinos are seasonal and are available throughout July to September. When they are in season, you will easily find them in markets and grocery stores and are always sold out of farmers trucks on the side of the road.

Mangosteen

This fruit, native to Indonesia, is truly one of the most amazing tastes you will ever have. The mangosteen has a very short season in Costa Rica and is available for about one to two months a year. The size of a small tangerine, this fruit has a hard outer leathery shell the colour of mahogany wood. The fruit inside is bright white with each individual section having a small seed. It is difficult to describe the taste of the mangosteen. The only thing we can say is that it is truly the most exotic taste sensation you will ever get from a fruit.

These are just a few of the great fruits available in Costa Rica. There are many others. When you visit Costa Rica, make a point of visiting the local grocery store or farmer’s market and try our wonderful, exotic treats.