Tropical Fruits
Origin, history, and growing guides for mango, pineapple, banana, papaya, durian, salak, langsat, and 15 more tropical fruits from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
19 articles in this section
Where Do Mangoes Originate? History & Origin Country (2026)
Mangoes originated in the eastern Himalayas (Assam, India) 4,000 years ago. Full origin story, worldwide spread, top-growing countries, and how to grow one.
Banana: The Most-Eaten Fruit in the World โ Origin, History, and How to Grow
How a New Guinea wild plant became the world's most-eaten fruit: 7,000 years of cultivation, the global Cavendish monoculture, and how to grow bananas in your own yard.
Pineapple Origin: Where Does the Pineapple Come From? (2026)
Pineapples originate from southern Brazil and Paraguay. Columbus found one in 1493. Full history, worldwide spread, and how to grow from a supermarket fruit top.
Papaya: The Tree Melon โ Origin, History, and How to Grow
From southern Mexico to every tropical country in 400 years: the papaya story, plus how to grow your own from seeds you scoop from a supermarket fruit.
Durian: The King of Fruits โ Origin, History, and How to Grow
The most polarizing fruit on Earth: how the durian became Southeast Asia's royalty, banned from hotels yet sold for $50 a kilogram, and how to grow one.
Coconut: The Pacific's Drift-Voyaging Palm โ Origin, History, and How to Grow
Coconuts drifted across oceans long before humans cultivated them. The story of the world's most widely-distributed tropical fruit.
Avocado: From Mexican Forests to the Global Brunch Plate
The avocado was a Mesoamerican staple 10,000 years ago. The story of how one Californian seedling โ Hass โ took over the world.
Guava: The Common Tropical Fruit with an Uncommon Story
Native to Central America, the guava colonized every tropical country in 400 years and is now grown everywhere from Florida to India to Cambodia.
Star Fruit (Carambola): The Five-Pointed Tropical
The carambola has been cultivated in Southeast Asia for over 2,000 years. The story of its five-pointed star shape and how to grow it.
Tamarind: The African Date That Conquered Asia
Native to Africa, the tamarind became a cornerstone of Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine. The 2,500-year journey of a sweet-sour pod.
Sapodilla (Chiku): The Caramel-Flavored Mesoamerican Fruit
Native to Mexico and Belize, the sapodilla was cultivated by the Maya 3,000 years ago. Today it is a beloved sweet fruit across South Asia.
Custard Apple (Cherimoya): The Twain-Praised Andean Fruit
Mark Twain called the cherimoya "the most delicious fruit known to men." Native to the high Andes, it has been cultivated for over 1,000 years.
Longan: The Dragon's Eye โ Origin, History, and How to Grow
The longan is the lychee's cousin. Native to southern China, it has been a favored summer fruit across East Asia for 2,000 years.
Acerola: The Caribbean Vitamin C Champion
Acerola contains 50-100 times more vitamin C than oranges by weight. The story of this tiny Caribbean cherry-like fruit.
Java Plum (Jamun): The Ayurvedic Diabetes Berry
Java plum (jamun) has been part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,000 years. The story of this dark astringent fruit native to South Asia.
Langsat: The Translucent Southeast Asian Cluster Fruit
Langsat is a small translucent yellow fruit from a Southeast Asian tree. The story of this Malay forest staple and how to grow it.
Salak (Snake Fruit): What Is It & Where Does It Come From? (2026)
Salak (snake fruit): thorny palm from Java and Sumatra. Scaly skin; dry crunchy flesh tasting like pineapple meets apple. Origin, varieties, and growing guide.
Mountain Apple (Jambu): The Crisp Tropical Pomarrosa
Mountain apple โ also called rose apple or pomarrosa โ has crisp watery flesh and a delicate rose-water scent. A guide to this widely-naturalized tropical fruit.
Sugar Apple (Sweetsop): The Tropical Custard Fruit
Annona squamosa โ sister to the cherimoya โ is one of the most-grown tropical fruits in lowland Asia and the Caribbean.