Here’s a tantalising guide covering just some of the mouth-watering bounty of the Caribbean you will encounter on your charter yacht vacation.
Ackee
A mixed blessing, ackee is a fruit traditionally served with codfish. But be warned! Unripe ackee fruit contains a poison called hypoglycin, so you must wait until the fruit's protective pods turn red and open naturally. And then, only the yellow edible portion which surrounds the toxic black seeds can be consumed!
Breadfruit
Introduced to the Caribbean from its native Tahiti in 1793 by the infamous Captain Bligh, breadfruit is a large green fruit with potato-like flesh. Breadfruit are not edible until they are cooked and they can be used in place of any starchy vegetable, rice or pasta. Breadfruit is picked and eaten before it ripens and is typically served like squash--baked, grilled, fried, boiled or roasted after being stuffed with meat. It's even been known to turn up in preserves or in a beverage.
Carambola, Star Fruit
Cut horizontally, this star-shaped fruit is a pretty addition to desserts, as a garnish for drinks, tossed into fruit salads or cooked with seafood. Juice together with pineapple and lime for a tangy treat.
Cherimoya
Best eaten chilled with a spoon, the cherimoya has white sweet flesh that has the texture of flan and is used in mousse and fruit sauces.
Coconut
The water, the jelly and the meat of this versatile fruit are used in all manner of food and drinks. Coconut, sometimes caramelised, gives Caribbean desserts their unique flavour.
Dragon fruit, Pitaya
Somewhere between a kiwifruit and a watermelon, dragonfruit is an exotic looking cactus fruit. Its crisp, watery white flesh is dotted with crunchy black seeds, and they are very refreshing. Pork belly and dragonfruit is a good combination.
Guava, Guayaba
With over one hundred species, this delicious little fruit can be yellow, pink or red inside and has multiple uses: punches, syrups, jams, chutneys, ice creams and a paste known as guava cheese. Or just gobble them up for a burst of Vitamin C that's second to none.
Hearts of Palm
The white core of palm trees, hearts of palm have a delicate flavour and are used in salads, often with avocado and orange with a vinaigrette sauce.
Jackfruit
Though considered inferior to the breadfruit, jackfruit is used in soups, main dishes, desserts, drinks and ice-creams, or enjoyed fresh on their own. Once ripe, the flesh becomes creamy white, with a juicy, banana/pineapple-like flavour. The flesh of jackfruits can also be preserved in syrup, and the seeds eaten as nuts after boiling or roasting.
Limes
Where would a G&T be without a dash of lime? Limes are one of the most important ingredients in Caribbean sauces and marinades, and are used in everything, savoury or sweet.
Mamey Apple
Tasting similar to a peach, mamey is a large tropical fruit with edible orange coloured pulp. It's most often used in preserves.
Mango
Known as "the fruit of the tropics", mangoes are widely used in sauces, desserts and drinks, or eaten on their own for maximum pleasure.
Papaya
Often called "pawpaw", the papaya is orange when ripe and has rather a bland flavour, making it a nice complement to the sharper flavours of other fruits. Green papaya is used as an ingredient in chutney or relishes, and when ripe, it's great in fruit salad. In the Caribbean, papaya juice is served up sweetened with condensed milk or sugar.
Passion Fruit, Maracudja, Granadilla
A commonly used fruit in juices, desserts, drinks and sauces, passion fruit in the Caribbean are large and yellow, rather than the wizened brown fruit you may be used to, though not as sweet. Besides being tasty and easy to eat, passion fruit is supposed to possess somniferous properties, helping you relax and have a restful sleep.
Plantain
One of the banana family, plantain are technically a vegetable! Inedible raw, cooked plantains are served as appetizers or starchy side dishes. The unripe (green), ripe (yellow) and very ripe (dark) plantains are used in Caribbean cooking. They become slightly sweet as they ripen.
Star Apple
The star apple is a succulent round fruit about the size of an orange, with skin that is either a shiny purple colour or green. The flesh of the star apple is delicious and is the basis of a traditional Caribbean dessert known a as "Matrimony", a kind of fruit salad swimming in condensed milk – the perfect coupling!
Sugar Apple, Sweetsop
Looking like a green pinecone, or a hand grenade, the sugar apple is delicious when eaten ripe. The pulp is creamy white and taste like custard. It's usually eaten fresh or used as an ingredient for cakes, beverages and shakes and is prized for its health benefits as it's bursting with Vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
If you are looking to boost your fruit vitamin intake this winter, contact your charter expert at Luxury Charter Group to organize your next Caribbean charter vacation.
Disclaimer: The information about luxury yachts displayed on this page is merely informational and these yachts are not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor are they represented or marketed in anyway by Luxury Charter Group. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and information is displayed in good faith but Luxury Charter Group does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.
Related Blog Posts
M/Y ACE Atlantic Crossing & First Caribbean Charter Season
The Caribbean called, and M/Y ACE has answered in style. Fresh from her remarkable first transatlantic voyage, this striking 44-metre superyacht is poised for an unforgettable inaugural winter season cruising the Caribbean. Managed by Luxury Charter Group and with a proven pedigree that blends top-tier performance, sophisticated comfort and a warm, welcoming crew, M/Y ACE promises an exceptional luxury yacht charter exploring the turquoise waters and secluded coves of St Barts, St Martin and the British Virgin Islands. Learn more...
Why Yacht Charters Are the Epitome of Luxury
Embarking on a yacht charter is not just a vacation; it's an immersive journey into a world of unparalleled luxury, where the sea, sun, and splendour come together to create an experience like no other. In this blog, we'll delve into the reasons why yacht charters stand as the epitome of luxury, offering an extraordinary escape from the noise and distractions of life, creating exceptional memories to last a lifetime. Learn more...
Water Sports and Activities to Try on Your Caribbean Yacht Charter
A luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean is not only an opportunity to bask in the sun and soak up the stunning scenery, but it's also a gateway to a world of thrilling water sports and activities. From snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs to gliding across the waves on a jet ski, the Caribbean offers endless opportunities for adventure and adrenaline. Here are some exciting water sports and activities to try during your yacht charter, along with some destinations that are perfect for each activity: Learn more...
Now is the Time to Book Your Luxury Yacht Charter for 2025
A luxury yacht charter provides an unparalleled exclusive getaway like no other. And when it comes to organising this extraordinary vacation, planning well in advance brings numerous advantages ensuring a bespoke and unforgettable luxury charter. With yachts already taking bookings there is no better time to reserve your 2025 Mediterranean yacht charter adventure than now. Here's why early planning is the key to creating your perfect Med escape. Learn more...