African star apple

What it is

The fruit is almost round, with a little point at its tip, and measures about 3.2 cm (1¼ in) across. Ripe skin ranges from yellow to orange-red or yellow-brown. Inside, orange-red flesh surrounds seeds wrapped in a separate layer of creamy pulp. Some fruit tastes very sweet, some sour.

Where it comes from

African star apple grows in tropical Africa, from the west across to Kenya's Kakamega forest. In southern Benin, it grows among farm crops and in surviving patches of forest. In Nigeria, its name changes as you travel: agbalumo in the southwest, udara in the southeast.

How it's eaten where it grows

In southern Nigeria, eating agbalumo is a hands-on snack. Pressing the fruit opens it; squeezing the base pushes the seeds up so the creamy pulp can be sucked or nibbled off. The orange flesh is eaten too.

It can also become agbalumo ice cream: in one Nigerian recipe, thawed flesh is blended with water and sugar, then folded into whipped cream with vanilla and frozen. The same fruit that makes a sharp snack becomes a sweet, creamy dessert.

How it's grown

This forest tree can reach 25–37 m (82–121 ft). Young seedlings need shade while they establish. On southern Benin's Allada plateau, owners rarely cut the trees for firewood, keeping them for their fruit and leaving them standing within the farm landscape.

When and where you'll find it

In southern Nigeria, the fruit is usually common in towns and villages from December through April. Beyond West Africa, African grocers sell it as whole fresh fruit in season. Niyis, an African supermarket in Reading, England, lists it in 500 g packs under the names agbalumo and udara.