Mamoncillo

Melicoccus bijugatus · Tropical fruit

40 pairings

Mamoncillo (Melicoccus bijugatus) — also called Spanish lime, genip, quenepa or mamón — is a small, round tropical fruit borne in dense grape-like clusters on a large tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). Inside a thin, leathery green rind sits a single large seed wrapped in a translucent, salmon-to-cream pulpy aril that is sucked off rather than chewed.

Picking a good onedrag

Just clipped, taut green, heavyBlackened, shrunken, fermenting

Shop freshEaten out of hand, or strained into a cold drink. It will not ripen after picking, so a sour bunch stays sour; the seeds are a roasted snack at home, never chewed raw.Everyday best

RindGreen dulling, a few tan freckles

Weight in the handFirm and heavy, no give at all

Cluster stalksStalks browning, fruit still held on

Open one at the stallLittle smell — the leathery rind hides it

What to look for, from just clipped, taut green, heavy to blackened, shrunken, fermenting.

Preparing