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Rollinia
Rollinia is native to the tropical areas of South America and is the favourite fruit of locals in the western Amazon. It is a member of the custard apple family. The trees grow very quickly and bear fruit only two years after planting. It is gaining popularity in commercial plantings on the wet tropics coast and is common in backyards throughout north Queensland. Characteristics Rollinia is a distinctive yellow, heart-shaped fruit with a bumpy surface of soft, leathery spines. The fruit can weigh up to 2 kg, but typically is the size of a large grapefruit. The soft, white, tasty flesh contains numerous black seeds, which are discarded before the fruit is eaten. Taste Rollinia is one of the most delicious of the tropical fruits and has the flavour of a creamy lemon sherbet or a lemon meringue pie. At its peak, about two-thirds of the fruit is yellow in colour. A fully coloured fruit loses some of its distinctive lemon tang. Buying and Storing Rollinia is a very soft fruit and the bumps on the skin surface darken and bruise very easily during transportation, or even by hand pressure when picking. Minor bruising will not detract from the quality of the fruit, but rollinia is best eaten straight after purchase. Preparing and Serving Cut the fruit into wedges and scoop out the tasty flesh, discarding the core and the seeds. Rollinia can be used in cheesecakes and ice cream, and used as a garnish or a feature to a fruit platter. The surfaces of the fruit will darken slowly when cut. Availability February to March & July to September. Varieties Rollinia deliciosa, which has large spikes; and Rollinia mucosa which has smoother skin. Acknowledgement The information about avocados is mainly sourced from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland publication Tropical Tastes - Fruits, Foods and Flavours of North Queensland and is reproduced with due acknowledgement and authority.
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