Expert: Leo Salazar - 10/13/2004

Question
hi-
i was vacationing in dominican republic this summer and ate a fruit that grew in a bunch like grapes.  it has a semi hard skin that you cracked with your teeth and then the inside was almost like melon, soft and sweet.  seed on the inside.  any idea what it is called and where i could find it? locals were selling it on the side of the road on the way to the resort.  thanks for your help.  

Answer
Hello Alecia,

The fruit you came across is a very tipical caribbean fruit called Limoncillo, mamoncillo or quenepa, depending on wich Island you are on.
In the Dominican Rep. it's Limoncillo, in Puerto Rico it's quenepa....
The fruit is techically Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. and is of wide distribution throughout the Caribbean and northern South America.
If you are close to the Mexican border, you might easily get it under the name of Grosella de Miel or Guayo.
The fruit's season is anywhere from June to October, so you might choose these months to re-visit the Caribbean on your next vacation.

Regards

Leo