🍒 Most people think Cocoplum is just a boring hedge plant: Bahamas Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco). Thick, green, easy to trim - great for privacy. But hidden in all that greenery? Super-sweet plum-like fruit that are edible and very tasty! They look like small plums and come in pink, purple, or white when ripe.
🍒 Cocoplum is native to Florida and has been quietly feeding people for generations, long before it became a landscaping go-to. The fruit is mild, a little sweet, and great for snacking or making into jam.
🍒 Cocoplum isn't just a tasty surprise - it comes with some health perks too:
▫️Rich in antioxidants - especially anthocyanins, which give the purple fruit its color and help fight free radicals in the body.
▫️Good source of fiber - helps with digestion and keeping you full.
▫️Contains vitamin C - supports your immune system and skin health.
▫️Low in calories - great for snacking without guilt.
▫️So when you bite into a Cocoplum, you're not just tasting Florida - you're getting a little wellness boost too.
🍯 Quick Cocoplum Jam:
🔸2 cups ripe Cocoplums
🔸1 cup sugar
🔸1 cup water*
🔸1 tbsp lemon juice
🔸Mash it all up, cook on low 20-30 minutes until thick. Cool and enjoy!
*To make a delicious summer drink, add 10 cups of water and just get to boil. Let sit 2 hrs, mash up, drain fruit and cool to enjoy.
So next time you walk by a Cocoplum hedge, check for fruit. There might be a free snack waiting for you!
Secret Banana Daiquiri Recipe: Healthy Never Tasted So Good!
🍌 Secret Banana Daiquiri Recipe: Healthy Never Tasted So Good!
🍹 Banana Daiquiri Recipe Ingredients:
· 1 ripe banana
· 2 ounces light rum
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· 1 ounce lime juice
· 1/2 ounce triple sec (optional for added depth)
· Ice cubes
· Slice of lime or banana for garnish
🍹Instructions:
· Prepare the Banana: Peel the banana and cut it into chunks.
· Blend the Ingredients: In a blender, combine the banana chunks, light rum, sugar, lime juice, and triple sec.
· Add a handful of ice cubes. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth.
· If the mixture is too thick, you can add a small amount of water or more lime juice to adjust the consistency.
🍹Garnish and Serve:
· Pour the mixture into a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of lime on the rim of the glass or a small wheel of banana. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing tropical flavors!
· This Banana Daiquiri is not only refreshing but also offers a creamy texture and a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus. It's a fantastic choice for hot days or when you're in the mood for something a bit exotic. Cheers!
· cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese (use ricotta for a smoother texture or cottage cheese for a more textured filling)
· 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust based on the sweetness of the mango)
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 package of wonton wrappers
· Water, for sealing the wrappers
· Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
· Butter or oil, for frying
Instructions:
Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped mango, ricotta or cottage cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Assemble the Dumplings:
· Lay out the wonton wrappers on a clean surface. Spoon about one tablespoon of the mango-cheese mixture into the center of each wrapper.
· Dip your finger in water and run it along the edges of the wrapper to moisten them. This helps seal the dumplings.
· Bring the edges of the wrapper together to form a triangle or purse, making sure to expel any air pockets as you seal the edges firmly.
Cook the Dumplings:
· For Frying: Heat butter or oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the dumplings and fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
· For Steaming: If you prefer a healthier option, you can steam the dumplings. Place them in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for about 10-15 minutes or until the wrappers are translucent.
Serve:
Serve the dumplings warm. Dust with powdered sugar if desired for a sweet finish.
Optional Sauce: You can serve these dumplings with a simple dipping sauce made by mixing some honey with a splash of lime juice. This adds a zesty contrast to the sweet and creamy filling.
These mango and cheese dumplings are a creative twist on traditional dessert dumplings, bringing together flavors that are both refreshing and comforting. Enjoy your cooking!
· In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
· Add the sliced carambola and ground ginger. Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit softens and the mixture thickens.
· Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then transfer to sterilized jars.
· Refrigerate and enjoy on toast, with yogurt, or as a glaze for meats.
🎁 This simple yet unusual jam highlights carambola’s unique star shape and tangy-sweet flavor! 😏
What is the best fruit for summer drinks and wine?
🍸 What is the best fruit for summer drinks and wine?
🍋 Hands, down, Costa Rican Guava, or Cas Guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum) takes the crown! This tropical gem from Central America is known for its intense flavor, making it perfect for refreshing beverages and creative drinks. The tree is incredibly productive - even young ones yield abundant fruit!
🍋 We discovered this fruit last Summer. The tree was so productive (on the second year!), we didn't know what to do with so much fruit! So we made a concentrated drink and have been drinking it since then. It looks like the juice has antibacterial properties so it doesn't need to be canned, it stores for months in refrigerator.
🍋 Plans for 2025 season crop: Homemade Cas Guava wine!
Next summer, we are going to try making wine with Cas Guava. Its bold, tangy flavor is sure to produce a delicious, unique brew!
💯 Why choose Cas Guava?
• Packed with vitamin C - four times more than lemons - for a powerful immune boost.
• Rich in antioxidants to combat stress and inflammation.
• Hardy and low-maintenance, thriving in poor soils and resisting pests.
🍸 Recipe: Cas Guava Juice Concentrate
Ingredients:
• Fresh Cas Guavas
• Sugar (to taste)
Instructions:
• Wash the guavas, cut in half and place them in a large pot with enough water to cover.
• Add sugar to taste and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 min until the fruit softens.
• Let sit for a few hours so the fruit softens more.
• Strain the liquid through a colander to remove the pulp.
• Bottle the concentrate and refrigerate.
• To serve, dilute with water to your liking for a flavorful, tangy drink!
This concentrate doesn’t need sterilizing/canning and stays fresh for months, thanks to Cas Guava’s natural antibacterial properties.
🍸 Traditional Favorite: Agua de Cas
Cas Guava is the key ingredient in Costa Rica's famous Agua de Cas, a blend of cas juice, water, and sugar. It's a refreshing, slightly acidic drink that's perfect for hot days.
With its vibrant taste, rich nutrients, and endless possibilities, Cas Guava is a must-have for gardeners and culinary adventurers alike!
What is the best fruit for summer drinks and wine?
🍸 What is the best fruit for summer drinks and wine?
🍋 Hands, down, Costa Rican Guava, or Cas Guava (Psidium friedrichsthalianum) takes the crown! This tropical gem from Central America is known for its intense flavor, making it perfect for refreshing beverages and creative drinks. The tree is incredibly productive - even young ones yield abundant fruit!
🍋 We discovered this fruit last Summer. The tree was so productive (on the second year!), we didn't know what to do with so much fruit! So we made a concentrated drink and have been drinking it since then. It looks like the juice has antibacterial properties so it doesn't need to be canned, it stores for months in refrigerator.
🍋 Plans for 2025 season crop: Homemade Cas Guava wine!
Next summer, we are going to try making wine with Cas Guava. Its bold, tangy flavor is sure to produce a delicious, unique brew!
💯 Why choose Cas Guava?
• Packed with vitamin C - four times more than lemons - for a powerful immune boost.
• Rich in antioxidants to combat stress and inflammation.
• Hardy and low-maintenance, thriving in poor soils and resisting pests.
🍸 Recipe: Cas Guava Juice Concentrate
Ingredients:
• Fresh Cas Guavas
• Sugar (to taste)
Instructions:
• Wash the guavas, cut in half and place them in a large pot with enough water to cover.
• Add sugar to taste and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 min until the fruit softens.
• Let sit for a few hours so the fruit softens more.
• Strain the liquid through a colander to remove the pulp.
• Bottle the concentrate and refrigerate.
• To serve, dilute with water to your liking for a flavorful, tangy drink!
This concentrate doesn’t need sterilizing/canning and stays fresh for months, thanks to Cas Guava’s natural antibacterial properties.
🍸 Traditional Favorite: Agua de Cas
Cas Guava is the key ingredient in Costa Rica's famous Agua de Cas, a blend of cas juice, water, and sugar. It's a refreshing, slightly acidic drink that's perfect for hot days.
With its vibrant taste, rich nutrients, and endless possibilities, Cas Guava is a must-have for gardeners and culinary adventurers alike!
