From snake fruit to jabuticaba; 10 unique fruit trees around the world and where travellers can find them

Some travellers chase sunsets, some birds and some beaches and mountains. But there is another trend quietly growing known as botanical travel. This is where travellers are chasing for offbeat experiences and looking for unique trees, rare flowers and lesser-known fruits. And when it comes to fruits, our planet is brimming with some delicious and strangest fruit trees that are turning botanical gardens, rainforests and tropical farms into unforgettable travel experiences. Whether it’s the Amazon or tropical islands in Asia, here are some remarkable trees that sometimes feel stranger than fiction.
Read on to know more about such trees:

A look at it and you’ll be shocked to see the exploding giant of the tropics. The Cannonball tree is among the most dramatic trees on Earth and produces huge rust-coloured fruits. These fruits resemble old cannonballs hanging from the tree trunk and can weigh several kilos.

Where to spot

Travellers can spot these trees in botanical gardens across Sri Lanka and southern India. In South India, the tree is revered as the “Nagalingam” tree.

Often referred to as the “miracle fruit,” it looks similar to a lemon but has an unexpectedly sweet flavour. Native to West Africa, the fruit contains a rare protein known as miraculin, which temporarily alters how the taste buds interpret sour foods.

Where to spot it: Travellers interested in unusual botanical experiences can find miracle fruit farms in Ghana, Japan, and parts of Florida. In recent years, guided tasting sessions featuring the fruit have also become increasingly popular among curious visitors.

No kidding, but Jabuticaba looks like some rare disease at first glance. Dark purple fruits look glued onto tree’s bark creating a strange sight. But the fruit tastes absolutely sweet, very close to grape and lychee. Travellers on Reddit often describe seeing the tree for the first time as “otherworldly.”

Where to spot

Travellers can enjoy the jabuticaba in Brazil, particularly the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.

Durian is the ‘smelliest fruit in the world’ for a reason. The spiky fruit divides the world like no other fruit. Some call it heavenly custard; others compare the smell to a rotten body. The towering durian tree itself is fascinating.

Where to spot:

Durian is common in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

The Sausage Tree, often called Africa’s hanging curiosity, creates huge sausage-shaped fruits dangling directly from rope-like stems. Some of these fruits can grow over two feet long. These are not eaten fresh.

Where to spot

Travellers on safari in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa can easily see these trees close to rivers and wildlife reserves.

The Buddha's Hand barely looks like a fruit. It has a more octopus-like appearance. Unlike lemons, it contains almost no juice.

Where to spot

These can be spotted in temple gardens and fruit markets across China and Japan.

The baobab is one of the world’s most distinctive trees, often appearing as though it has been planted upside down because of its unusual shape. Its velvety fruit is packed with vitamin-rich pulp and is widely used in beverages and snacks across Africa.
Where to spot:
Travellers can admire spectacular baobab trees in Madagascar. The famous Avenue of the Baobabs is particularly renowned and is considered one of the most photogenic tree-lined roads in the world.

Ackee is Jamaica’s national fruit. It is bright red coloured fruit that naturally opens when ripe. Inside it is creamy and has yellow flesh along with shiny black seeds. However, the fruit must be eaten carefully as unripe ackee is toxic.

Where to spot:

Travellers visiting Jamaica often join local food tours to understand the fruit.

Mangosteen is the undisputed Queen of Tropical Fruits but often gets overshadowed by durian. This purple-skinned fruit is loved for its sweet-and-tangy white flesh. The slow-growing tree thrives in humid tropical climates.
Where to spot:

Travellers can spot mangosteen in Thailand and Vietnam during monsoon.

Snake fruit is among the world’s strangest tropical fruits which looks unique because of its reddish-brown scaly skin that resembles snake leather. It is also known as salak. The fruit grows in clusters at the base of palm trees. Inside is a cream-coloured crunchy texture which people compare to apple, pineapple and banana.

Where to spot:

Travellers can spot the tree in Indonesia. The fruit is also popular in Bali, Java and Yogyakarta.