Monstera (ceriman)

Monstera deliciosa · Tropical fruit

40 pairings

The ceriman is the elongated, scale-covered fruit of Monstera deliciosa, the climbing aroid better known as a houseplant ("Swiss cheese plant"). When fully ripe it tastes of blended banana and pineapple — but it ripens slowly from the base, and any under-ripe part is mouth-searingly irritant, so it is one of the few fruits eaten in stages over days.

Picking a good onedrag

UnderripeOverripe

Base openingEat only the band where the scales have already dropped - the tiled flesh above it still burns. Rinse the black floral flecks off the pulp first.Eat the bare band

ScalesScales lifting and dropping in a band at the base

SqueezeThe base gives under a thumb, the top still rigid

SmellPungent at first, then a sweet lift of pineapple

Cut stem endExposed base flesh creamy white and softening

Reading a just ripe one. Move the slider and the rest of this page — nutrition, pairings — re-scores with it.

Preparing