In the few couple of years I've been observing fruiting cycles, I'm beginning to notice a pattern wherein certain fruits fruit at a time of the year when we humans need its vitamins and nutrients the most. This is highly arguable but from either a Creation Story or Evolution perspective, it does make sense that, barring farming and food processing, nature not only provides us with the necessary foods to survive but also, at the right time we need it.
In the farm, most citruses ripen in December and January. Here in our part of the tropics, this has always been the coolest time of the year, just when we need a big Vitamin C boost.
Our pomelo tree (Citrus grandis, súhâ, also called lukbăn) is now literally burdened with massive cannonball-like fruits that have yet to ripen after, perhaps eight more weeks. By now, it has reached its full size but are still acrid (mapaklâ) if picked and eaten this early. What we have is not as sweet as the pink Davao variety but it is very useful for dishes like the Vietnamese-style Shrimp and Pomelo Salad, for one.
I think it's a great idea to eat according to the seasons! Adhering to it makes one more creative and resourceful, apart from the fact that we become more sensitive and in tune with nature, cycles, and our over-all well-being.
Those look juicy! Did you plant those or were they growing naturally when you acquired the land?
ReplyDeleteRandy B.
It was a mature, fruiting tree by the time I took over. Last year, it was more prolific: unbelievable but there must have been, at least, 150 fruits in one season. This year, it's just a little more than half.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should eat according to the seasons! Fruits produced out of season rely on chemicals or genetic engineering. That's one of the things I miss about living in Lipa, the fruits! One would know what fruits are in season not only from what's populating the fruit stands, but from the trees - I remember the rambutan, and the mango grove near our house, the branches of the trees all low with fruit. I can't wait to visit your farm again soon!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same, Nikki Mama. It's not easy to eat according to the seasons especially in an urban setting but at least, some days of the week would matter a lot already.
ReplyDelete