Exotic Fruits You Can Buy in the Czech Republic: Have You Tried Them?cover

Exotic Fruits You Can Buy in the Czech Republic: Have You Tried Them?

In the Czech Republic, you can now buy exotic fruits like rambutan, lychee, star fruit, kumquat, tamarind, jackfruit, cherimoya and mangosteen. Look for them in big supermarkets, Vietnamese shops, Asian markets like Sapa, and online shops like Rohlik.cz.

A few years ago, to taste truly exotic fruit, you had to travel to the tropics. Today it’s different. Fruit now comes from all over the world, so lots of interesting kinds show up in Czech shops too. You’ll find them in big supermarkets and in small specialist stores. So you can treat yourself to a taste of the tropics on your way home from work. You may already know mango, avocado or pomegranate. But the world of exotic fruit is much more colourful.

In this article, we introduce exotic fruits you can easily buy in the Czech Republic today. Maybe you already add some of them to smoothies or salads. Others you may have only seen on shop shelves. So, how many have you tried?

1. Rambutan: a hairy fruit that tastes like tropical grapes

At first, rambutan can look a bit strange. Its red skin is covered in soft hairs. It looks almost like a small sea creature or a fruit from another planet. But once you open it, you’re in for a nice surprise. Inside is clear, juicy flesh. It tastes like grapes, lychee and a light tropical syrup. It’s sweet, fresh and very juicy.

Rambutan comes from South-East Asia, mostly Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. The good news is that you can sometimes find it in the Czech Republic too. Look in bigger supermarkets or Asian food shops.

How do you eat rambutan?

It’s very simple. Cut the skin lightly with a knife, or gently break it open with your fingers. Then take out the flesh. Watch out for the small seed inside, because you don’t eat it. If you love new flavours, rambutan is well worth a try. It looks fun, and it is sweet and juicy.

2. Lychee: a sweet tropical classic

Lychee is one of the best-known exotic fruits, and it’s easy to buy in the Czech Republic today. You may know it from tinned fruit or cocktails, but fresh lychee tastes even better. Under its rough, reddish-pink skin is clear, juicy flesh. It has a soft flower scent and a sweet taste, a bit like grapes, roses and tropical syrup.

Lychee comes from China. People there have grown it for more than two thousand years, and it is still a popular summer fruit. Slowly it made its way to Europe. Today you’ll find it in many Czech supermarkets, especially in winter.

How do you prepare lychee?

Lightly cut the skin or break it with your fingers. Peel it off and take out the flesh. Inside is a hard seed, which you don’t eat. Lychee is tasty on its own. It’s also great in fruit salads, smoothies or summer drinks.

3. Star fruit: a fruit shaped like a star

Star fruit, also called carambola, is one of the prettiest tropical fruits. When you slice it, you get perfect little stars. They brighten up any plate, drink or dessert.

Its yellow skin is thin and you can eat it. So you eat the whole star fruit, with no peeling. It tastes fresh and a little sweet and sour, like apple, citrus and grapes. That makes it very refreshing, and it works in sweet and savoury dishes.

You can sometimes find star fruit in Czech supermarkets, especially in bigger cities or exotic food shops. People often use it to decorate desserts, cocktails or fruit salads. But it’s also tasty just sliced.

4. Kumquat: a mini orange you eat whole

A kumquat is a small citrus fruit about the size of a big olive. It looks like a tiny orange. But unlike most citrus fruits, you eat it whole, skin and all. The sweet, fragrant peel and the sour, juicy flesh make a fun mix. When you bite into one, you taste the sweetness first. Then it turns into a fresh citrus tang.

Kumquats are often used in desserts, marmalades or cocktails. They’re also great on their own as a little snack. Because they are small, they look nice on cakes or in fruit salads. In the Czech Republic, you’ll find them mostly in winter, in bigger supermarkets or in the exotic fruit section.

5. Tamarind: a sweet and sour fruit from Asian cooking

At first, tamarind doesn’t look like a typical fruit. Its brown pods look more like dried beans. But inside is a dark, sticky pulp with a strong sweet and sour taste. Many of the world’s cuisines can’t do without it. Tamarind gives famous dishes like Thai pad thai and many Indian sauces and chutneys their typical taste. Its flavour is strong and a little like caramel, with a sour finish that adds depth to food.

In the Czech Republic, tamarind is most often sold as a paste or concentrate in Asian food shops. Now and then, you can also find whole pods. If you like to try new things in the kitchen and love Asian flavours, tamarind will open up a whole new world for you.

6. Jackfruit: our favourite exotic fruit

Here is a fruit we truly love: jackfruit. This tropical giant can weigh more than 30 kilograms. That makes it the largest tree fruit in the world. But besides its size, it is most interesting because it is so versatile.

  • Ripe jackfruit is sweet. It tastes like a mix of mango, pineapple and banana.

  • Young jackfruit is mild and stringy. In the kitchen, it copies the texture of pulled meat very well. That’s why it’s a popular plant-based choice in burgers, tacos and Asian dishes.

It is also low in fat and has no cholesterol. It is a natural source of fibre, vitamin C, potassium and other nutrients. So it fits well into a balanced diet.

Do you want to try something truly unusual? Then jackfruit is worth it. Looking for an easy way to start? Try our Mladý Jacky F young jackfruit. It is ready to cook straight away.

7. Cherimoya: a fruit that tastes like dessert

Cherimoya is one of the lesser-known exotic fruits. But people who try it usually remember it. Its green, scaly skin hides soft, creamy flesh. It tastes like banana, pineapple, vanilla and mango. Its sweet, almost dessert-like taste gave it the nickname “fruit ice cream”. Just cut it in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon, like an avocado.

Cherimoya comes from South America, but today it also grows in Spain. So it sometimes shows up in European shops. In the Czech Republic, you’ll more likely find it in exotic fruit shops. If you see it, it’s well worth a try.

8. Mangosteen: the tropical queen of fruits

Exotic fruit lovers see mangosteen as a true treat. Under its dark purple, firm rind are white, juicy segments. They taste like peach, pineapple and a hint of vanilla. The flesh is sweet, soft and very juicy. No wonder mangosteen is called the “queen of fruits”. It also has lots of antioxidants, vitamin C and other things that support the immune system.

In the Czech Republic, mangosteen shows up only now and then, usually in exotic fruit shops or Asian markets. But if you spot it, it’s well worth tasting.

Where can you buy exotic fruit in the Czech Republic?

Good news: you don’t have to travel to the other side of the world for exotic fruit anymore. More and more interesting fruits are showing up in Czech shops. If you know where to look, you can find some great treasures.

  • Big supermarkets: big chains now often sell mango, avocado, pomegranate or passion fruit. In bigger cities, you may also see star fruit, pitahaya or kumquat.

  • Vietnamese corner shops: many of them have a surprisingly big choice of exotic fruit that normal supermarkets don’t sell. This is where you might find rambutan, lychee or other seasonal tropical fruits.

  • Asian markets (like Sapa): for a really big choice, visit an Asian market. Sapa in Prague is known for fruits you’ll hardly find anywhere else in the Czech Republic.

  • Farmers’ markets and specialist shops: exotic fruit sometimes shows up at farmers’ markets or in small shops that focus on good food. What they sell often changes with the season.

  • Online shops, like Rohlik.cz: shopping online is more and more popular. Food e-shops like Rohlik.cz often sell lots of exotic fruit and bring it right to your door. So it’s easy to try new tropical flavours without going to several shops.

All you need is a little curiosity. On your next shopping trip, you might find a fruit you’ve never tasted. You may see that exotic flavours are easier to get today than you thought.

TIP: If you're craving something exotic to enjoy during a film or an evening series, try Mini Jackies jackfruit chips. They're naturally sweet, wonderfully crunchy and an easy way to enjoy the taste of tropical fruit at any time of day.

Author: Ing. Kateřina Jakešová, nutrition specialist and copywriter

Sources

https://www.fruitsmith.com/blog/post/exotic-fruits-you-might-not-know-about

https://www.jurassicfruit.com/en/collections/fruit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_fruit

https://www.marksandspencer.com/food/l/fruit-and-vegetables/fresh-fruit/exotic-fruit

FAQ: Exotic fruit in the Czech Republic

Where can I buy exotic fruit in the Czech Republic?

Try big supermarkets, Vietnamese shops, Asian markets like Sapa in Prague, and online shops like Rohlik.cz.

Where can I buy jackfruit in the Czech Republic?

Young jackfruit is easy to buy in cans, like Mladý Jacky F from Jackies.

Which exotic fruits can you eat whole?

You can eat star fruit and kumquat whole, skin and all.

When is lychee easiest to find?

In Czech supermarkets, lychee is most common in the winter months.