Rollinia
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Rollinia are heart-shaped, conical fruits. They can be anywhere from 5 to 20 centimeters in diameter and weigh 454 to 1,360 grams. They have thick, woody stems that are extensions of the fruit’s core. Their skin is covered in small, diamond-shaped sections, each with a soft, spiky protuberance. Depending on the environment and variety, the spines can be slight or quite prominent. The fruits mature from green to yellow, though they are often harvested when still green and will mature off the tree. The spikes may turn black with excessive handling. The fruits' flesh is a bright, translucent white, resembling the flesh of a grape. The fiberless flesh texture is thick, gelatinous, and chewy. It has a smooth, almost creamy consistency and contains small, inedible, dark brown, elliptical seeds that measure 1 to 1.5 centimeters long. Rollinia fruit have a mildly sweet-tart flavor with nuances of pineapple, banana, coconut, lemon, and lime.
Seasons/Availability
Rollinia are available in the spring through the early summer months.
Current Facts
Rollinia are a large tropical fruit botanically known as Rollinia mucosa. They are a member of the Annonaceae family, which includes the soursop and cherimoya, two other types of custard fruits. Rollinia are referred to by different names depending on the region, including Biriba de Pernambuco and Fruta da Condessa in Brazil, Rollinia mulato in Colombia, Rinon de monte in Venezuela, Anona babosa in Mexico, and Wild Sweetsop or Wild Sugar Apple in English-speaking countries. These unique fruits are often touted for their lemon meringue flavor and are mostly found in the wild. They are popular in the Amazon region of South America and in Indonesia, especially on the island of Borneo.
Nutritional Value
Rollinia are a source of vitamin C, helping with tissue growth and repair, immune support, collagen production, iron absorption, wound healing, and heart, skin, and brain health. This vitamin also protects against anemia, UV radiation, and free radical cell damage. This fruit contains calcium, phosphorus, and iron, benefiting nutrient metabolism, energy production, muscle function, red blood cell production, and kidney, bone, and teeth health. Rollinia also supplies the body with protein and amino acids to improve muscle building, enzyme function, calcium absorption, hormone production, and mood, sleep, and appetite regulation. As a source of potassium and magnesium, Rollinia further helps with nutrient metabolism, protein synthesis, blood pressure maintenance, and heart function.
Applications
Rollinia fruit are usually eaten fresh or used in raw applications. Ripe fruits are easily sliced in half or into wedges. The skin will peel away easily, and the pulp can be removed with a spoon and the seeds discarded. This fruit is often used in beverages like juices and smoothies. The pulp can be used to make jams or jellies or is puréed for desserts. Rollinia can be cooked into pies, cakes, soufflés, muffins, puddings, cheesecakes, sweet breads, and fruit tarts. Toss Rollinia with other fresh fruits like bananas, mangoes, grapes, pineapple, coconut, apples, pears, peaches, and strawberries. Rollinia fruit will keep for up to five days in the refrigerator. They are highly perishable once ripe and yellow and should be used or refrigerated within one or two days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In their native Amazon forest, Rollinia fruit has been used for centuries for both medicinal and culinary purposes. In Brazil, the pulp of the Rollinia fruit is fermented to make wine. The fruit was used as a stimulant and to help cool the body when overheated and was consumed to prevent scurvy. The seeds were ground and used as a remedy for digestive issues. The hard, heavy wood of the Rollinia tree was used to make boat masts, boxes, and ribs for canoes.
Geography/History
Rollinia are native to the western Amazon region of Peru and Brazil in South America. Their native range extends to Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, and Mexico. These fruits grow wild in the Amazon rainforest and lowland areas within these native regions. They were introduced to the United States from Brazil in 1908, and to the United States Department of Agriculture in 1914. They were taken to the Philippines sometime before 1915 and are mostly found in Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia. Outside of their native regions, Rollinia fruit can be found in Australia, Hawaii, Florida, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Southern Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. The fruit may be sourced from farmer's markets, health food stores, home gardens, or foraged from the wild.
