Souari, Caryocar nuciferum, is a large, elegant tree from Panama and Northern South America that produces a coconut-sized fruit with four nuts inside, surrounded by
Macadamia, Macadamia integrifolia, and Macadamia tetraphylla, (also spelled macademia) are medium evergreen trees, growing to 25 – 30 feet. They are members of the protea
Cashew, Anacardium occidentale, is native to the tropical forests in Northeastern Brazil. The nut is actually a seed, but because it is attached to a
Brazil Nut, Bertholletia excelsa, is native to Brazil, Venezuela, the Guianas, Eastern Columbia, Peru and Bolivia. It grows in scattered forests along the banks of
Turmeric, Curcuma longa, is a rhizome and member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to tropical South Asia. The plants are gathered annually
Black Pepper, Piper nigrum, comes from a flowering vine that produces a fruit containing a single seed. The fruit, when dried and used as a
Nutmeg and Mace come from an evergreen tree, Myristica fragrans, which is indigenous to the Molucca Islands of Indonesia and is now also cultivated on
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, is the underground stem or rhizome of the ginger plant, a lovely large-leafed plant with delicate white and pink flowerbuds that become
Cloves, Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata, are the dried flower buds of trees in the Myrtaceae family. The tree is native to Indonesia
Cassia and Cinnamon are closely related trees native to Asia. While they are often used interchangeably, their flavors are somewhat different. As a result, I’ll
Cardamom is a seed from pods produced by two varieties of the ginger family, Elettaria, known as green cardamom or true cardamom, and Amomum, commonly
Annatto or achiote, comes from Bixa orellano, a tree native to the Americas. While the tree is believed to have originated in Brazil, it spread
Allspice is the fruit of the Pimenta dioica tree, native to southern Mexico, Central America and the Greater Antilles, and now grown in many tropical
Sugar and Other Sweeteners Sugar cane, Saccharum, is comprised of a number of species of tall perennial grasses native to the tropical regions of South
Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, and is more related to squash than the other varieties of melons from the Cucumis
Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, is related to the tamarillo, or tree tomato, as they are both part of the nightshade family, which includes eggplant, tobacco, potatoes,
Tamarillo, Solanum betaceum, also known as tree tomato or tomate de arbol, is a shrub- like plant or small tree, native to the Andes of
Tamarind, Tamarindus indica, is native to tropical Africa, and grows wild throughout the Sudan. It was introduced into India so long ago that it is
Star Apple, Chrysophyllum cainito, is a member of the Sapodilla family and is native to Central America and the Caribbean. It is cultivated for its
Soursop, Annona muricata, is a broadleaf evergreen tree native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America, where it is known as guanabana.