Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

Date: 22 Jan 2026

Canistel breakfast mash: quick-n-fun exotic recipes

Canistel breakfast mash

Canistel breakfast mash

Canistel - Pouteria campechiana, Egg Fruit

Canistel - Pouteria campechiana, Egg Fruit

🍴 Canistel Breakfast Mash

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe canistel (egg fruit), peeled and seeded
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • Ground cinnamon, to taste

Instructions

  1. Scoop the canistel flesh into a bowl.
  2. Mash thoroughly with a spoon, adding milk gradually until smooth and custard-like.
  3. Serve immediately, topped with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.

🌿 About the plant:


Canistel (Pouteria campechiana), often called Eggfruit, has dense yellow flesh with a flavor reminiscent of sweet potato, pumpkin, and custard. It is naturally rich and filling, which is why it is often used mashed, blended, or cooked.

🌱 In the garden:


Canistel is a tough, drought-tolerant tropical fruit tree that performs well in warm climates. It prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and minimal fuss once established. Compact growth and heavy production make it well suited for edible landscapes and container growing.

🛒 Add to your garden:



📚 Learn more:


#Food_Forest #Recipes

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Date: 16 Nov 2019

Meet PeopleCats of TopTropicals. Charlie, the Indoor Hunter

Carlie was a kitty drop off with LadyBug, Rickie, and Purry.
Charlie is Jamie's baby. She has an attitude of a teenager, one minute she loves you and the next - wants nothing to do with you. Carlie stays with the inside PeopleCats, she says it's too big in the outside world for her and she gets scared. Carlie has a fun game (fun to her): she plays around 2:00 am in the morning, she loves to drag random items down the hall (socks, toys, shirts, even blankets) in her mouth MEOOOWWWING as loud as she can. She then sets the items down on her human's bedroom rug and waits for her human to say thank you. We're pretty sure her hunting instinct is off...

Check out and more Cat of the Day stories.

2019, from Top to Bottom: Moe, Charlie, Bagheera, and Snitch. 2016: Charlie

From left to right: Purry, LadyBug, Charlie, and Ricki - 2016

Date: 29 Nov 2020

Cold protection of tropical container plants

Q: I am long time customer of yours, I live in San Diego California and while the summer and Fall temperatures are warm to mild, the winter temperatures dip to a point where some tropicals die off. We are experimenting with different variations of way to heat and insulate the pots we have the tropicals planted in as a way to keep them alive during the colder winter months. I was wondering if you knew of the ideal soil temperature for these tropical in order to look their best year round. All of the heaters we have installed have thermostats and temperature adjustments so we can now keep the soil anywhere between a range of between 65-75 degrees. Any advise you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

A: This is a very interesting concept you are working with. Indeed, keeping pots/roots warm, may help a lot! We've been experimenting with cold protection for a long time - for the above-ground plant parts. For sure keeping roots protected (even with a thick layer of mulch) will benefit tropical plants during winter. In case with container plants, this may help dramatically.
The guideline is, tropical plants slow down or stop their metabolism at 65F. As long as you can keep soil above that temperature - this should work great. Of course, the higher the better.
Optimum temperature for growing tropical plants in general - 70-85F. Above 90F, metabolism stops too, unless it's a heat tolerant, desert plant.

More information on winter cold protection of tropical plants and zone pushing:

Greenhouse in Virginia
Plumeria cold protection
Ghost Cold Protection
Seven rules of cold protection for tropicals
About Cold Protection
Cold protection - winter action for your plant collection
Tropical Treasures articles on zone pushing.

Date: 7 Dec 2025

Whats for breakfast? Guava versus Banana

Smokey: Guava for fiber, banana for power. Pick wisely.
Sunshine: I pick whatever requires zero effort.
Smokey: So... guava in a hammock. Perfect.

Smokey: Guava for fiber, banana for power. Pick wisely. Sunshine: I pick whatever requires zero effort. Smokey: So... guava in a hammock. Perfect.

🍉🍌 What's for breakfast? Guava versus Banana



Some mornings you want something light. Some mornings you want something that hits like a tiny energy bomb. That’s why people always compare guava and banana. Both are everywhere, easy to eat, and trusted since forever - from Ayurveda scrolls to modern nutrition charts.

But they’re not the same kind of morning fruit. Let’s walk through them like we’re in the kitchen deciding what to slice first.
  • 🍉 Guava - the fiber champion



    Guava looks innocent, but it’s one of the most nutrient-dense fruits.
    Per 100 g: 68 calories, 5.4 g fiber, over 200 mg vitamin C, a little protein, and solid potassium.

    Fiber does most of the work. It smooths digestion, keeps you full, and steadies blood sugar. Vitamin C boosts immunity, and antioxidants reduce inflammation. Studies suggest guava lowers LDL and triglycerides. Not bad for a tennis-ball-size fruit.


🍌 Banana - the quick energy classic



Bananas are the opposite personality: soft, sweet, ready in seconds.
Per 100 g: 89 calories, 22 g carbs, good potassium, and a little vitamin B6.

Bananas give fast energy without upsetting the stomach. Athletes eat them before workouts because carbs, sugars, and potassium wake up your muscles. Vitamin B6 helps mood and brain function, which is why a banana on a groggy morning works wonders.

They also pack antioxidants, polyphenols, and heart-protective compounds. Even the peel has nutrients (though not exactly breakfast-friendly).

📊 What studies say - quick notes

  • · Guava: anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, boosts hemoglobin, supports dental health.
  • · Banana: antioxidants, fiber, vitamins C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, and heart-protective compounds.


🔮 What Ayurveda says

  • · Guava calms Pitta and Kapha - great for acidity or sluggish digestion.
  • · Bananas balance Vata - grounding and nourishing - but can raise Kapha at night. Morning banana = good. Night banana = maybe skip.


🏆 Guava or banana - which one wins?



Both win, just in different ways:
  • 🍉 Pick guava for:


· light, high-fiber start
  • · better digestion
  • · steady energy
  • · low calories
  • · weight control


🍌 Pick banana for:

  • · instant energy
  • · easy digestion
  • · pre-workout boost
  • · quick carbs
  • · soft, comforting fruit

  • 🍉 Slow mornings love guava.

🍌 Busy mornings belong to banana.

For home growers



If you live in a warm climate, both fruits are incredibly rewarding to grow.

🍉 Why grow guava?

  • · Fruits in 1-2 years.
  • · Compact for small yards or containers.
  • · Super productive when mature.
  • · Needs only sun, warmth, and pruning.
  • · Homegrown flavor is sweeter and more aromatic.


🍌 Why grow banana?

  • · Grows fast and looks lush.
  • · One mat can feed a whole household.
  • · Dwarf varieties fit small gardens.
  • · Homegrown bananas taste richer and creamier.
  • · When a bunch ripens, breakfast is handled for a week.

Growing your own fruit means you’re never out of a healthy breakfast. Something is always ripening, always ready to pick, and always sweeter than anything you buy.

✍️ Scientific reference



🛒 Grow your perfect breakfast for any day - Guava and Banana

📚 Learn more:



📱 Watch YouTube short videos:


#Food_Forest #Bananas #Guava #Remedies #Discover

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Date: 29 Oct 2025

Grow your own brain food: Avocado and Cocoa

Avocado and Cocoa recipes

Avocado and Cocoa recipes

Chocolate tree fruit (Cocoa, Cacao beans) - Theobroma cacao

Chocolate tree fruit (Cocoa, Cacao beans) - Theobroma cacao

Avocado fruit

Avocado fruit

☕️ Grow your own brain food: Avocado and Cocoa

  • Avocado and cocoa aren't just a delicious combo - they’re also great for your brain. Studies show that Avocado's healthy fats improve blood flow and memory, while Cocoa’s flavonoids boost attention, mood, and overall cognitive performance. Together, they help protect brain cells from inflammation and aging.
  • Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats and lutein, nutrients that support sharp thinking and long-term brain health. Cocoa, meanwhile, enhances circulation in the brain and has been linked to lower risk of stroke and dementia. So, growing your own avocado and cacao trees means growing your own natural brain boosters right in your garden.
  • Try blending the two in simple treats like avocado chocolate mousse or a smoothie with banana and almond milk - creamy, rich, and packed with brain-loving nutrients.


🍽 Delicious Avocado-Chocolate recipes:

  • 🍵 Avocado Chocolate Mousse


    To make this, simply blend ripe avocado, unsweetened cocoa powder, honey (or maple syrup), and a splash of vanilla for a rich, creamy mousse that feels indulgent yet guilt-free.
  • 🍵 Avocado Chocolate Smoothie


    This is perfect for breakfast and to make it, combine avocado, cocoa powder, banana, almond milk, and a touch of nut butter for a thick, chocolatey breakfast smoothie.
  • 🍵 Avocado Brownies


    This one is for the sweet tooth lovers, use mashed avocado in regular brownie batter, add cocoa powder, and bake for fudgy, nutrient-dense brownies.
  • 🍵 Chocolate Avocado Pudding Pops


    To make this bite-size snack, blend avocado, cocoa powder, dates (or honey), and coconut milk, then freeze in molds for refreshing delights.


🛒 Plant your own Chocolate tree (Cocoa, Cacao), and Avocado tree for long lasting brain power

📚 Learn more:
#Food_Forest #Remedies #Discover #Recipes

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