Fruits from Madagascar - arranged by seasons

In Madagascar there is a great variety of fruits, so many that some of them are only available in their region of origin. are known. There are only two Seasons in the country, the rainy season and the winter season. In the rainy season there are the most fruits, but there are also varieties that are present throughout the year.

Madagascar has a large Plant and flower diversity with an endemicity rate of almost 80%. Not surprisingly, there is also a very large variety of fruits. And even that some of the edible fruits are known only to the inhabitants of the regions from which they come. Wherever you are in Madagascar, demand fresh seasonal fruits, which are never in short supply.

We will give you a brief overview of the fruits that are usually found fresh in stores and well prepared in restaurants throughout Madagascar.

Between November and February

During this time, the rains are heaviest and the fruits flood the local markets. Among the most appreciated fruits locally and even worldwide are the lychee. It is not only deliciously sweet, but they also have many other values . The Lychee are a fruit that comes in two varieties: the Christmas fruit also known in Europe and the locally known as hairy Chinese lychee. Ramboutan which are ripe in June. Both have a somewhat similar aspect and taste, but look different.

Apart from the Lychee the month of December in Madagascar is also marked by the presence of Peaches to marked on the stands of the dealers. Two varieties are still available. The first variety is the one with a slightly hairy skin , these also differ in size from the other type. The second is smaller and has a smooth skin. This variety called "rà-kena" is the one that has the Christmas time in Madagascar most characterizes. However, many other fruits are also available at this time of year, such as Plums, Pears, Mangos...actually all fruits we know from Europe except cherries which can never thrive in tropical countries. In this period also ripen a lot of locally endemic fruits like Cinnamon apples (Annona squamosa), Corossol or spiny fruit (Annona muricata), Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Papaya where there are also several species. Pineapple, very many types of Bananas, Star fruit, goavas, passion fruit and much more.

Between March and May

This period is characterized by the harvest, but various types of fruit are still available. Among the fruits that can be enjoyed during this season is the Apples, pears and persimmon. Apples can be sweet or be sour, green or red. There is also the Star fruit or carambola (Averrhoa carambola), a fruit native to Madagascar with diuretic and laxative properties. It has a very white and crunchy flesh. Because of its rather acidic flavor, it is most appreciated when cooked. Avocado is another fruit that is available this season. Avocado can be used as an appetite suppressant, for example. The fruit can also help reduce belly fat or regulate your body's sugar levels.

Towards the end of May begin Oranges and tangerines to ripen. In Madagascar, the oranges on the stands are often green or slightly yellowish. Despite their color, they can be ripe, juicy and sweet. In fact, the color of oranges is achieved only when the temperature fluctuations between day and night are quite large. As for the tangerines, they can be more easily orange. There are two main varieties on the island, but they differ only in the appearance of their skin.

Between June and August

This period marks the beginning of winter and the final end of the rains. It is also marked by the celebration marked the independence of the country on June 26. On the fruit side you have the opportunity to enjoy the Corossol to enjoy. It is a fruit with a random shape, green color and covered with spines. Although it is sweet, its flesh is quite firm. This makes it difficult to eat. It is then usually made into juice and sold in almost every corner store. This fruit belongs to the same family as the Cinnamon Apple (Annonaceae).

The cinnamon apple has a rounder shape and a yellow skin with peaks on the top. Inside, its white flesh is tender and sweet. However, the seeds are very numerous, which may prevent you from appreciating them properly. Other fruits you can find during this period are jujubes, zebis or jackfruit. The latter are mainly found in the northwest and the east of the country. They can be very heavy and are very nutritious.

From September to October

At this time of year, vegetation begins to grow again, although winter is not yet over. When you want to enjoy strawberries during your trip to Madagascar, this is the time of year. Pomegranate trees also grow in some areas of the Big Island. From these trees come the Pomegranates. When ripe, they are bright red. These fruits are special because their seeds are edible and very sweet. Then there is the pineapple, a fruit that is known to cause irritation in the mouth when eaten. This is caused by the presence of bromeliads, an enzyme capable of breaking down proteins. Finally, there is the papaya, an orange fruit with tender, sweet flesh. It can easily be made into juice, but you mostly eat it fresh as a fruit. Many other fruits are available, but it is difficult to list them all.

Fruits for all seasons

The year-round fruits are also available in Madagascar. The most famous among them are certainly the bananas. Bananas exist in many varieties and are available in all regions throughout the year.

Then there are the lemons, combava, pomelos, all known to be vitamin C rich fruits. Due to their acidity, they are mainly consumed as juice or as a sauce with fish dishes.

The Coconut is also a fruit that is available in all seasons and eaten in a variety of ways can be. To facilitate its consumption, it is first grated. It can then be made into confectionery or used as a garnish for various dishes. The Baobab is a lesser known fruit, as the baobab tree only grows in certain regions of Madagascar. In addition Baobabs massive trees whose tops are difficult to reach. This fruit, also known as baobab, has many virtues. It is a fruit that you can consume during your stay in Madagascar.

Very rare fruit from Madagascar

Tamarillo (Solanum Betaceum)
Le Mokotra (Srychnos spinosa)
Loquat (Japanese medlar)
Cherimoya (Annona cherimola)
Guava (Psidium guajava)
Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-india)
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum)
Sapotilla (Manilkara zapota)
Physalis (Physalis peruviana)
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)
Cashew Fruit & Seeds (Anacardium occidentale)
Mountain papaya (Carica pubescens)
Bread tree fruit (Artocarpus altilis)
Limes (Citrus limon)
Mulberry (Morus spp.)
Oxheart (Annona reticulata)
Honigmelon (Cucumis melo)
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Schwzrze Sapote (Diospyros digyna)
Golden plum (Spondias dulcis)
Java apple ( Syzygium samarangense)
Surelle (Oxalis Acetosella)
Bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi)
Spanish lime (Melicoccus bijugatus)
Longanis (euphoria longan)
Thika nut (Raphia farinifera)
Combava or kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix)