11 October, 2021
Estimated Reading Time : 1 minute, 3 seconds
El caimito is a typical fruit from Costa Rica, bearing a strong resemblance to the Asian fruit mangosteen. It has a high concentration of vitamin C and calcium, is round, and usually appears purple in color. Its size is similar to that of an egg. It is characterized by its hard, shiny shell, and its interior is soft and juicy.
One of the characteristics of caimito when you eat it is that it is sticky, but that's not a problem. If you notice that stickiness in your mouth, you can clean yourself with the outer part of the caimito, and in seconds, you'll be clean. It is said that to remove the stain from your mouth, simply wipe it with the leaf of the fruit.
If you don't want your mouth to get dirty, you can cut the fruit in half and eat it with a spoon. To tell if the caimito is ready to eat, it should feel soft to the touch. You won't be able to tell just by looking, but its strong smell can also indicate that it is ripe. Additionally, in Costa Rica, it is used as a herbal remedy; for congestion, it works as an expectorant, it is a good diuretic, and in case of fever, it helps to lower the temperature. For hemorrhages, caimito is very effective in stopping bleeding.
Besides eating caimito as fruit and its medicinal uses, in the Atlantic zone of Costa Rica, a recipe called "marriage" is prepared, where the pulp of caimito is mixed with bitter orange juice. If you visit this area, don't miss out on this dessert.
