The Cuban diet is rich in fruits, as the island’s natural resources allow it and these grow abundantly, almost wild. Among the most consumed fruits are the following:
Guavas
This fruit has existed on the island since before the Spanish conquest. Guava was so important to the primitive natives that they envisioned paradise as a place where they could eat ripe guavas gathered with the gods.
Guava is a small, round fruit. It is green when unripe and yellow when ripe, which Cubans find more flavorful. Its pulp can be pink or yellow, depending on the species. It is eaten with the skin on and is full of tiny seeds that are consumed without issues.
This fruit contains a lot of vitamin C, although it is sweeter than tart. It is also rich in fiber and promotes good digestion. It pairs well with other sweet fruits and dairy products.
Pineapple
Also called "ananá" in some regions, it is a sweet and tangy fruit typical of the Caribbean climate. It is generally large, starting pink at the stalk, then turning green, yellow, and brown as it ripens.
The skin and center are discarded due to being too fibrous, but the rest of the pulp is smooth and seedless.
Batido de frutas tropicales
Este batido de frutas tropicales es una explosión de sabores y colores. El dulce sabor de la piña se mezcla perfectamente con la acidez de la naranja y el frescor del kiwi. Una mezcla refrescante y revitalizante para disfrutar en cualquier momento del día.
It is rich in minerals and vitamin C, and is frequently used to prepare cocktails.
Mango
Known as the "paradise fruit," mangoes start off green but when ripe, display beautiful yellow, orange, and even red hues.
It has a fibrous seed in the center which, like the skin, is not eaten. The pulp becomes extremely sweet when fully ripe, although some prefer it green and tart.
Papaya
Some call it "fruta bomba." It is a large fruit that begins green and turns a beautiful orange when ripe.
The pulp is the same color, and inside there is a hollow space filled with hundreds of black seeds that are not eaten. Papaya or "fruta bomba" contains many vitamins and is particularly high in fiber. It is often served as an appetizer at breakfast in Cuba.
Mamey
Mamey is a fruit with a semi-rigid dark brown shell, with flesh that is bright salmon or pink. It has a single very smooth seed, whose oil is sometimes used in beauty products.
Jugo de mango
El mango es una fruta muy común en los países del Caribe, usada en múltiples recetas. Pero cuando se trata de preparar jugo de mango, estamos hablando de apreciar este maravilloso fruto de una forma inolvidable.
It’s a fruit high in sugars and vitamins B and E. It’s popular in sweets and smoothies, but the pulp can also be eaten directly from the shell.
Guanábana
Also called "soursop," it is a large fruit with a thick green shell, and its flesh is white, soft, and sweet. The interior is filled with black seeds that are not ingested as they can be toxic. It is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
It is often used in smoothies and ice creams.
Banana
Although the banana is not native to the island of Cuba—having arrived by slave ships shortly after the conquest—it thrives wonderfully in the fertile soil of the island and has become an essential part of the Cuban diet.
This elongated fruit is green at first and turns yellow or brown when ripe, depending on the species. Its skin is very easy to peel, and the pulp is light and dark yellow. It is eaten as is, as the small seeds are hardly noticeable.
It is an excellent source of potassium and energy.
Jugo de frutabomba o papaya
El jugo de frutabomba, también conocida como papaya en otros países, es una bebida refrescante y llena de nutrientes. Para prepararlo, simplemente mezcla la pulpa de la fruta con agua y un toque de limón. Una deliciosa experiencia que no te puedes perder.
