Bilimbi

Originating in Maluku, bilimbi is a fruit so tropical it will need “blankets” on the trees during cold or windy seasons. Beneath the luscious, glossy, fresh green-to-yellow skin, the flesh is too acid to eat raw. High school bullies will make freshmen bite them as part of their initiation pranks. Diabetics are not supposed to consume bilimbi due to its high sugar content. Nevertheless, the fruit is full of Vitamin C and is widely used throughout Indonesia to give a flavorsome sour tinge to certain soups or broths. It is also mixed with chilli to create the super delicious sambal belimbing. Syrup prepared from the fruit is believed to cure fever and inflammation, stop rectal bleeding, as well as alleviate internal haemorrhoids.