Today we tried a tamarillo. When I say we, I mean my partner, my youngest son and I. My oldest son is going through an “I don’t like it” phase. This means that any new foods (particularly fruits or vegetables) are met with looks of utter disgust.
I picked out the tarmarillos at the supermarket. Their bright red skins caught my eye and I decided they would be perfect for this week’s new experience. When I got to the self-serve checkout I couldn’t remember what they were called and had to ask the attendant over to help me so I could look them up on the touch screen. She must have thought I was a little mad buying the fruit. Clearly I didn’t know anything about it; I couldn’t even remember it’s name!
Undeterred, I brought the fruits home. They sat in my refrigerator all week while I found the time to try them.
Today we took the plunge.
They really weren’t what I expected. I thought the fruit tasted like an under-ripe, strange tomato. I now know that they are also referred to as ”tree tomatoes” so I guess this makes sense. It has a weird bitter and sour combination that was nothing like the sweet passionfruit taste I was expecting.
20 minutes after trying the fruit my partner is still sticking out his tongue telling me how “hideous” it was.
My son (the brave one who tried it) asked for more initially. Then the aftertaste got to him and he pronounced it “yucky”. I tried to get him to eat more (afterall, I bought 3) but it was a lost battle.
I will probably eat the remaining 2 but I doubt I will buy it again. A quick read of Wikipedia has informed me that some people actually put sugar on them. This might take the edge of that aftertaste. I think I’ll give it ago.
I believe you can also cook them like you cook tomatoes. Maybe this is worth trying too.
At least we tried!
What new exeriences have you had this week? I would love to hear what you have tried.
You can see details of my experience challenge and look at past experiences here.
Related articles
- Tamarillo time! (sharkyovengloves.wordpress.com)
- Tamarillo or Tree Tomato (permaculturesunshinecoast.org)
Good on you for trying a new fruit! They’re much nicer poached in some sugar syrup to counterbalance the sourness a bit. Also, make sure not to eat the skins as they are truly foul.
Oh and they’re also really good for making chutney.
Thanks. We didn’t eat the skins. I looked that up first. Poaching in some sugar syrup sounds like a good idea. I can see how they might be good in chutney too. Might have to try it some day.
I grew them for fun when I was a child. I’m pretty sure we ate them all, but I can’t say I remember much about whether I liked them or not. They may taste great in a relish perhaps?
Perhaps a relish would be ok. I didn’t mind them. I certainly wasn’t opposed to them like the rest of my family. I just wouldn’t be in a hurry to try them again.