Sharon M. Himsl - Shells, Tales and Sails: wax apple

Saturday, April 26, 2014

W is for Wax Jambu: Yummy Fruits A-Z

The color of wax jambu ranges
from pale pink to red and purple.

Wax Jambu (or wax apple) is an exotic fruit native to the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. Common throughout Southeast Asia, it is also found in Australia, Africa, Central and South America, and the U.S. (mainly Florida and Southern California).

Wax Jambu trees grow to 35 feet.

Wax jambu is mostly used in Asian salads, as in a popular
Thai shrimp salad, but the fruit is also enjoyed plain. The wax-like skin makes it an especially attractive fruit sliced.

Paler is sweeter

Despite its alternate name, wax apple, wax jambu does not taste like an apple, but more like a snow pear. The texture is crisp like watermelon (but less juicy), and the taste is slightly sour. Some are sweeter than others, depending on the variety. The paler the color, the sweeter it is.

Some of the nutritional benefits are wax jambu's effectiveness against dysentery and use as a diuretic. Interestingly, it has zero vitamin C or vitamin A, although it is high in potassium and has some calcium and protein.

Have you ever eaten wax jambu?

Wax Jambu Recipe

"Wax Jambu Salsa"

4 wax jambus, chopped
1/4 cup onions, chopped
2 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
2 chili peppers, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 red pepper, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of ground fennel

Mix well and let sit 2 hours before serving.

Wax Jambu Music

Some nice guitar at the popular Wax Jambu Restaurant
(London - 2009) "Waiting for Breakfast" (video)

Sources: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Thai_Wax_Apple_7608.php; http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Wax_Apple; http://www.fruitsinfo.com/Wax-jambu-Exotic-fruits.php; http://www.tropicalfruit.com/Wax-Jambu-Java-Apple-tree-3-Gallon_p_185.html; http://www.thirdage.com/nc/f-127403/wax-jambu-rose-apple-edible-portion-fresh-fruit; http://www.fruitsinfo.com/Wax-jambu-Exotic-fruits.php;