It’s that time of the year again.  The Christmasy feeling is a bit more down-to earth here in Punta Gorda, Belize.  You don’t get the awful (or perhaps nostalgic for some) ’80’s Festive songs blaring out of shops…you know what I mean: “Last Christmas,” and “Do They Know it’s Christmas?” and all that.  I heard them at Brodie’s (in the big city) last week and it finally clicked that it was Christmas time again.  Not here, it’s pure down here with none of that manufactured, marketed stuff around.  What Bliss!  Anyway, let’s talk about plants because that’s what I like talking about.

About a month ago, a friend give us some seeds from Guatemala and they are coming up.

These are Santol; Sandoricum koetjape.  This is a Southeast Asian fruit that looks a bit peachy and tastes a bit peachy…according to Wiki…not with these words of course…they were a bit more eloquent.

These are Langsat; Lansium parasiticum.  Another Southeast Asian fruit that looks a bit like a lychee but tastes like grapefruit/grape.  I never believe these taste quantifying reports by the way.  They might as-well say that they taste like chicken.  I’m going to wait until I get the fruit bearing in 5 years and see if it’s grapefruit or grape or something else!!

These ones are from a different friend and very, very much appreciated too!

Oooooh Durian; if you have been in Asia, you would have smelt the lovely aroma of durian.  We managed to sprout 3 out of 4 of these seeds.  So excited because these are “The King of Fruit” in Asia.  We’ve got to wait 5 to 10 years for the fruit!!

Galangal root; this is an Indonesian rhizome from the Ginger Family.  It has more of a camphor-like taste.  Great for teas and curries.

Have a Wonderful Festive Season!!