🐵 Monkey Orange or Monkey Ear? 🙉

🍊 Besides bizarre Monkey Ear Tree that we mentioned earlier, there is another interesting Monkey Tree -

🍊 The Monkey Orange (Strychnos spinosa) is a captivating fruit tree from tropical Africa and Madagascar, known for its vibrant yellow fruits and wide range of uses.

🍊This small to medium-sized tree, has glossy leaves and thorny branches that make it visually striking.

🍊 What does the Monkey Orange taste like?

The fruits, size of an orange, have a hard shell that protects their sweet-tart pulp with interesting pleasant taste somewhat similar to mangosteen. Some people say it tastes like a mix of citrus and pineapple with a hint of fermentation.

🍊Rich in vitamin C and B vitamins, the fruit can be enjoyed fresh or transformed into jams, juices, and even wine.

🍊Its durable wood is prized for carvings, and its leaves and roots are used in traditional medicine and as natural insecticides.

🍊Slow-growing yet resilient, this hardy tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering beauty, nourishment, and practicality - an excellent choice for tropical or subtropical landscapes.

🐒 Why is it called Monkey Orange?

The "monkey orange" likely gets its name from its appeal to monkeys that eat the fruit and distribute the seeds in their habitat in Africa.

🛒 Plant Monkey Orange

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🍨 How to harvest and eat Monstera Ice Cream

🍀 Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant - is a stunning jungle climber from Mexico and Guatemala celebrated for its dramatic, perforated leaves and delectable tropical fruit.

🍀 Known for its large, fenestrated leaves with oblong or oval perforations, giving it the nickname "Swiss Cheese Plant."

🍀 In its natural habitat, seedlings grow toward darkness until they locate a tree, then climb toward the light.

🍀 Fruits begin appearing about three years after planting. The 9-inch, green, cone-like fruit ripens over a year, its scales separating to reveal sweet, creamy white pulp.

🍀 Tastes like a mix of pineapple, sugar apple and ice cream with a strong tropical aroma.

🍀 The fruit must be ripe to eat, as unripe pulp contains oxalic acid, which irritates the mouth and throat. To ripen, pick when the base wrinkles slightly, then wrap in a bag. When the scales loosen, it’s ready to eat. Rinse off black specks before eating.

🍀 Spectacular variety Thai Constellation is a stunning variegated form with cream-and-green marbled leaves, has become a collector's dream. Specimens can sell for thousands of dollars, making it one of the most sought-after houseplants.

🛒 Shop Monstera plants

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How to make a healthy Avocado Tropical Smoothie - recipe

Ingredients:

· 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
· 1 cup coconut milk (or any plant-based milk)
· 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
· 1/2 banana
· 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
· 1/2 cup ice cubes

Instructions:

· Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
· Blend until smooth and creamy.
· Taste and adjust sweetness with honey or agave if needed.
· Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

🐸 This smoothie is rich, creamy, and packed with tropical vibes - a refreshing and healthy treat!

🛒 Plant your own Avocado Tree

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What fruit can you drink? Costa Rican Cas is the Guava for Drinking, yet with a bonus of health benefits!

The fruit of Cas Guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum) has unusual tart flavor with passionfruit and pineapple tones, more pronounced than common Guava🍍

Cas Guava used in pies, salads, fresh juices, ice-cream, jams, and as a base for the refreshing drink Fresco de Cas!🍹

High pectin content makes firm jellies.

Hydrating and low glycemic index, suitable for those mindful of sugar consumption.

Rich source of fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, phosphorus, potassium, copper, vitamin A, and folic acid.

This small tree or bush is very fast growing and undemanding, usually pest free (unlike most Guavas that can be very bugsy).

Tolerates hot summers and short frosts, appreciates well-drained soils.

Easy to grow, drought-tolerant once established, suitable for container cultivation.

Seedlings start flowering and fruiting at a young age, typically 2-3 years old from seed.

📚 Learn more about Cas Guava

🛒Order Cas Guava

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