Bananas originate from southeast Asia and the Pacific. The plantain is a starchier cultivar of the Musa family and is usually used for cooking.
2. Phoenix dactylifera
Answer: Date
Highly adaptive to desert conditions, the date palm originates from the northern Africa and Arabian Peninsula but is more associated with the latter. Its fruit, as well as other parts of the tree, were widely used in the region at least since the Bronze Age.
3. Solanum melongena
Answer: Eggplant
The eggplant (aubergine) originates from Southeast Asia and is a family member of the tomato. In large parts of Asia it is considered harmful for one's health, so it became widely used in Mediterranean cooking and commonly associated with it. It is one of the few fruit which cannot be consumed ripe.
4. Solanum lycopersicum
Answer: Tomato
Originating from central and South America, like the avocado the tomato was distributed worldwide as a result of the Spanish invasion and rapidly became one of the most consumed fruit. The tomaccio cherry tomato was developed in Israel and became a very popular cultivar worldwide in recent years.
5. Actinidia deliciosa
Answer: Kiwifruit
As its name suggests, the kiwifruit was domesticated in New Zealand as late as the 20th century. However, it originates from China (and is one of its national fruit) where it was cultivated from ancient times. Kiwifruit is highly rich in vitamin C.
6. Diospyros kaki
Answer: Japanese persimmon
The Japanese persimmon is indeed Japan's national fruit. The rich fiber content of the native cultivar may lead (usually under heavy consumption) to bowel obstruction. A non-astringent cultivar were developed in Israel, known as Sharon fruit. The Sharon plain is a region in Israel.
7. Prunus armeniaca
Answer: Apricot
While its scientific name alludes to central Europe, apricots originated from a wider belt stretching east to China and Japan. Nowadays Turkey is the world's top apricot producer.
8. Ficus carica
Answer: Fig
Figs have been cultivated in the Mediterranean basin for at least 5000 years. Traditionally associated with fertility, it is no wonder that classic depictions of the story of the Garden of Eden use the fig leaf as loincloth.
9. Mangifera indica
Answer: Mango
Mango indeed originates from the Indian subcontinent and is India's national fruit. It is eaten either in raw or in ripe format. The Alphonso is considered as the prime mango cultivar.
10. Persea americana
Answer: Avocado
Avocado originated in Central and South America where is was consumed for thousands of years. Distribution to other parts of the globe started in the 16th century with the Spanish invasion of the region. Mexico is still its prime producer.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
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