What is your favorite fruit? Fruits come in lots of different shapes, colors, sizes, and flavors. They grow on every continent except Antarctica. Some of the most common fruits that grow in North America are apples, blueberries, grapes, and cherries. Other fruits such as bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and oranges grow only in places where the weather is warm most of the time. Which fruits do you have in your kitchen right now? Let’s check out some of the world’s coolest fruits!
The World’s Wildest Fruits
Dragon fruit—You won’t find a fire-breathing dragon inside of this fruit! Dragon fruit grows in Mexico and in Central and South America. It is known for its beautiful flower-like shape and smooth rosy color. The inside of the fruit is white and seedy with a sweet, creamy flavor. Dragons never tasted so good!
African cucumber—This fruit looks kind of like a scary monster! Also known as the horned melon, the African cucumber has a green jellylike pulp surrounded by thick, thorny skin. The taste of this melon is similar to bananas, cucumbers, zucchini, lemons, and limes all mixed together!
Durian—Despite its strange look and stinky smell, many people claim that durian tastes great. Some people describe the flavor as similar to a creamy almond custard or rich vanilla pudding. Durians grow on large trees in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
Rambutan—Another fruit that grows in Southeast Asia is rambutan. These amazing bite-size fruits look like baby porcupines! Though rambutans have long, bristle-like spines, the skin of the fruit is soft and leathery. To eat this juicy fruit people break off the skin and chew the white flesh inside.
Star fruit—Many people agree that this crisp and sweet fruit tastes something like an apple. When sliced crossways, each slice is shaped like a star. Star fruit grows in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, but you can probably find some at a grocery store near you!
The Best Fruit of All
Did you know that you have fruit inside of you? No, it’s not the kind of fruit that you may have eaten today. It’s a special kind of fruit that is with you all the time. That fruit is a gift from God—it’s the fruit of the Spirit! Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Those of us who love and serve Jesus carry this fruit with us wherever we go.
Think of some ways you can share the fruit of the Spirit with those around you today. Perhaps you can show love and kindness to someone by writing a letter or by forgiving a friend who may have hurt you. Ask the Holy Spirit for some ideas of how you can spread joy, peace, and goodness to others!
Fruit or Vegetable?
Guess what? Not all fruits are sweet and juicy. Scientists who study plants define fruits as the part of a plant or tree that has seeds and can be eaten as food for humans and animals. This means that some of our vegetables are really fruits! Guess which of the vegetables below are also considered fruits. Circle the best answers. Then check your answers at the bottom of the page!
1. onions potatoes tomatoes spinach
2. pumpkins carrots cabbage celery
3. asparagus cucumbers radishes lettuce
Fruity Fun
Unscramble the following letters to discover each hidden fruit! See answers at the bottom of the page.
1. agmon 2. ialpenpep 3. resgpa
4. aaypap 5. emlno 6. ereulibrseb
Chocolate-covered Banana Pops
Try making this fruity treat in your kitchen today!
What you’ll need:
- Three or four ripe bananas, peeled and cut in half
- Popsicle sticks
- 11/2 cups chocolate chips
- Sprinkles, chopped nuts, or flaked coconut (if you like)
- Cookie sheet
- Waxed paper or aluminum foil
What to do:
- Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and ask an adult to help you melt the chocolate in the microwave. Stir the chocolate with a spoon to make sure it is completely melted and smooth.
- Tear off a sheet of wax paper or foil and put it on the cookie sheet. Place one Popsicle stick about halfway inside the top of each banana (not the cut side). Dip each banana in the chocolate and carefully cover each banana with sprinkles, chopped nuts, or coconut.
- Place each banana on the cookie sheet and freeze the bananas for at least two hours. Then enjoy your frozen fruity treat!
Fruit or Vegetable? 1. tomatoes; 2. pumpkins; 3. cucumbers
Fruity Fun: 1. mango; 2. pineapple; 3. grapes; 4. papaya; 5. lemon; 6. blueberries
About the Author
Christin Baker is a full-time stay-at-home mom who also writes for Faith Alive. She is a member of Resurrection Fellowship Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.
