Kiwi Berries
Kiwi berries are absolutely amazing! If you like kiwis you will love kiwi berries. Unlike the large kiwi fruit that has a furry-like outer texture, this small grape-shaped fruit is green and smooth on the outside but once you bite into it, it looks exactly like the larger version. Don’t let its size deceive you; it has an explosive sweet kiwi taste! Yum! No messy peeling, no fuss…just ready to pop in your mouth and eat. They are great for snacks, adding to lunch boxes, or adding to your cooking.
Kiwi berries contain almost 20 nutrients and are high in antioxidants. They have as much as five times the vitamin C of an orange. Kiwi berries have twice the vitamin E of an avocado, but with only 60% of the calories. They are also high in vitamin A, which is great for the skin, teeth and bones. These amazing berries have the same amount of B6 as a serving of spinach. There are not many foods as rich in this important nutrient as kiwi berries. Kiwi berries are rich in folic acid, are high in fiber, have a 'higher per ounce' potassium content than bananas, are an extraordinary source of chromium, and have almost no sodium.




Longans

Longans (a.k.a “dragon eye”) reminded me a lot of a lychee. It is a small round fruit with a hard brown exterior and a white flesh that surrounds a single large black seed. The taste is similar to one of a lychee, but not as sweet. I wanted to try one to see what it tasted like, and little did I know I had devoured the entire bag within 10 minutes! I found that it had a very distinctive taste, so I just kept having to eat more to see what it reminded me of, but I still can’t figure it out.
Longans are a great snack to eat in front of the tv, and much healthier for you than traditional movie muchies. You cannot just pop all of them in your mouth since and you actually “work” to get to the edible part, therefore you actually eat less than you would if you ate chips, cookies or popcorn. Just have a napkin on hand, since they can leave your hands a little sicky!
Longans are known to do wonders for the nervous system and are as big as an anti-depressant. Not only do they have a calming effect on the nerves, they are known to boost nerve function, reduce irritability and bring down fatigue. Longans are also known to cure insomnia. The fruit contains several vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, and large amounts of vitamins A and C. It also has antioxidants, chemo-preventive, and liver protective properties.




Kumquats

A kumquat is a small round orange citrus fruit. I had no clue what to expect. Do I peel it? Do I eat it whole? Is it like an orange inside? After doing some reading on kumquats, I learned that I was supposed to eat the entire thing at once. So as I popped it in my mouth, I thought that it was weird to eat an orange peel, but it was a lot sweeter than I thought. The inside however is a little bitter and has tiny seeds (a smaller version of orange seeds). It took a few tries to get used to the taste and texture. I don’t think that I can eat more than a few at a time and I wouldn’t be able to eat an entire bowl of them. I think that mixing them in a fruit salad would be good, or maybe in a smoothie. I think that the orange peel would add a strong orange taste, almost like orange zest. Many people also make jams and marmalades with these fruits.
Kumquats are very high in vitamins A, B & C and help prevent cells from damages, protect the immune system and are recommended for sore throats. In addition they contain Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids. Kumquats are also high in fiber (almost 10g for 8 kumquats), iron and calcium. Give them a try and see you what you think :)

Dragon Fruit

A dragon fruit (also called Pitaya) comes from a cactus and is cultivated in Mexico, South and Central America, as well as in many Asian countries. Since it looks bright and colorful on the outside, many assume that it would have a very sweet taste. But it is quite bland, considering how exciting it looks. The texture is similar to a kiwi (including the flesh and seeds), but it has a very neutral taste. Now, you’re probably wondering why I keep buying them if they don’t taste super great? Because they’re so cool!!! If you are scratching your head as to how to eat a dragon fruit, don’t worry it’s easy! Just cut it length-wise, grab a spoon and eat it the same way you would eat a kiwi. Or you can scoop out the entire flesh, cut it up in small cubes and mix it in a fruit salad. Most of the dragon fruit that I find have white flesh, but I have found some with pink flesh too (and no, they don’t taste any sweeter).
A dragon fruit is a good source of antioxidants and help prevent against carcinogenic free-radicals. It is also high in vitamins B and C, phosphorus and calcium. Since it’s a low calorie food that is high in fiber, it is the perfect snack for anyone looking to shed a few pounds, if eaten on a regular basis. In addition, it is a safe fruit for diabetics, because it lowers blood glucose levels. So grab a spoon and start scooping!