Where to Find the Rare Monstera Deliciosa Fruit - A Tropical Treat

An Introduction to the Monstera Deliciosa Plant and Its Fruit

The Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant or split leaf philodendron, is a species of tropical vine grown for its large, glossy, perforated leaves and its edible fruit. Native to the rainforests of Central America, the Monstera deliciosa has become a hugely popular houseplant thanks to its distinctive foliage and easy care requirements.

In the wild, Monstera deliciosa vines can grow up to 66 feet long as they climb up large trees. The leaves start out smaller and solid, developing holes and splits as they mature. These holes allow light to filter through to the lower parts of the plant. The leaves can grow up to 2 feet long on a mature plant.

But what has brought this plant extra fame recently is the ripe fruit, which tastes like a cross between pineapple and banana. Referred to as Monstera deliciosa fruit or simply "Monstera fruit," it develops after the plant flowers and pollination occurs. Unlike the foliage, the fruit is not common at all, as few houseplant specimens ever reach full maturity and produce it.

Where Does Monstera Deliciosa Fruit Come From?

Monstera deliciosa fruits originate from the plant's native tropical habitat. Monstera vines grow wild in parts of Southern Mexico and down into Panama, climbing up large trees and rocks. The ancient Mayans cultivated the plant for food. Monstera deliciosa fruits would have been foraged from the jungle near ancient Mayan settlements.

Today, Monstera deliciosa fruit comes from rare, mature houseplants that flower and produce it indoors. It is also occasionally imported from tropical regions where it grows wild or is cultivated on farms. But because it is so perishable, fresh Monstera fruitavailability is very limited, even in its native region.

What Does Monstera Deliciosa Fruit Taste Like?

A ripe Monstera deliciosa fruit has been described as tasting like a combination of pineapple and banana. It is mildly sweet and acidic with a juicy texture. The taste and aroma have been compared to pineapple, banana, guava, and jackfruit. Unripe fruits are toxic and should not be eaten.

Food bloggers and social media influencers have helped drive up interest in the exotic tropical fruit. With its scaly outer skin and cream-colored, edible flesh studded with black seeds, it looks as unique as it tastes. Enthusiasts say the flavor profile is unlike any other fruit.

Where to Buy Monstera Deliciosa Fruit

Given its rare nature, Monstera deliciosa fruit is not commonly found in local grocery stores or even specialty markets. Very few vendors exist that sell the actual fruit. Here are the main options currently available for purchasing fresh Monstera fruit.

Directly from Growers

A few specialty plant nurseries and collectors grow Monstera deliciosa vines specifically for the fruit. They wait for the plants to mature and flower, then hand pollinate the blooms in order to produce fruits. The fruits are harvested when ripe and sometimes sold directly to the public.

It takes 3-5 years for a Monstera plant to mature enough to produce flowers and fruit. So Monstera fruit doesn't just happen overnight - it requires dedicated growers willing to wait years for a chance to taste the harvest. Finding these fruits straight from a hobby grower is possible but will take some digging.

Online Shops and Marketplaces

A limited number of online shops and marketplaces now offer Monstera deliciosa fruit for sale when in season. These retailers source hard-to-find fruits like Monstera and ship them to customers for a premium price.

Examples include Miami Fruit, which sources directly from Central America, and Peoples Produce in Austin, Texas, which partners with rare fruit collectors in the Southern US. Prices typically range from $25 to $50 per fruit due to small supplies and high demand.

Specialty or Asian Markets

In areas with large Asian and specialty produce markets, especially cities in California and Hawaii, it is sometimes possible to find fresh Monstera deliciosa fruit. These retailers can sell fruits imported from tropical countries when available.

Shoppers may get lucky and find Monstera fruits mixed among the exotic produce like jackfruit, rambutan, and mangosteen. But again, thanks to the short shelf life and limited supplies, sightings will be occasional at best.

Frozen Fruit Sections

Since fresh Monstera fruit has such a limited shelf life, some frozen fruits brands have started offering it, especially in smoothie mixes and "superfood" blends. This allows more people to try the taste without the fruit going bad.

Check the frozen fruit or smoothie aisles at health food stores for any products containing Monstera fruit. Again, availability will depend on supplies from the growers.

Growing Your Own

For the most reliable source of Monstera deliciosa fruits, consider growing your own vines. You can often find young Monstera plants for sale. With proper care over 3-5 years, you can grow and train them up supports to maturity. Mature plants will naturally flower and fruit under the right conditions.

This route requires patience but pays off with an intriguing tropical fruit harvest. To increase pollination chances, get multiple Monstera plants and introduce pollinators like bees or hand pollinate the flowers.

Foraging from Wild Vines

In tropical regions where Monstera deliciosa grows wild, foraging fruits from the jungle is an age-old practice. But it requires access to natural areas and the ability to distinguish edible fruits from toxic lookalikes.

Never harvest fruit from random vines without proper identification skills. Only collect fruits you can confirm are from Monstera deliciosa and that are fully ripe.

What Does Monstera Deliciosa Fruit Taste Like? Experiences Trying the Fruit

To get a better idea of the unique flavor, here are some firsthand accounts from people who tried fresh Monstera deliciosa fruit:

"Tastes Like a Combo of Pineapple and Banana"

"I was so excited to get my hands on this rare fruit! The flavor is so interesting - it's sweet like pineapple and banana but also acidic almost like pineapple. It's creamy too when ripe. The texture reminds me of artichoke hearts. I can see why people go crazy over these fruits."

"Super Juicy Tropical Flavor"

"WOW is this fruit ever juicy! Every bite released more liquid. The seeds add texture.Flavor-wise, I picked up notes of guava, pineapple, and banana. It's a really unique tropical flavor. I'm addicted now and want to try more Monstera fruits!"

"Like a Sweeter Jackfruit"

"The Monstera fruit sort of looks like jackfruit but smaller. The taste is mild and sweet - not as strong as jackfruit. It was perfectly ripe and creamy. I could eat it plain but I want to try using it in smoothies too. So tropical and delicious!"

How to Eat Monstera Deliciosa Fruit

Safety Precautions

Make sure any Monstera deliciosa fruit you eat is fully ripe with no green parts remaining. Unripe Monstera contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate skin and mucous membranes. Be cautious of cross contamination when preparing the fruits.

Prep and Serving Tips

- Ripe Monstera fruit can be enjoyed raw simply sliced or scooped with a spoon. Discard any underripe parts.
Add diced Monstera fruit in fruit salads, yogurt, oatmeal, and chia pudding.
Blend Monstera fruit into smoothies, juices, and frozen desserts.
Mix into pancake or waffle batter.
Make Monstera jam, chutney or salsa to accompany meat, fish, and cheeses.
Use as pizza topping instead of pineapple.
Grill slices and eat as dessert.
Infuse into water or cocktail drinks.

Storage

Fresh Monstera fruits have a short ripe period of just 1-2 weeks before they begin fermenting. Store ripe fruits in fridge up to 5 days. Freeze sliced fruits in airtight bags up to 3 months.

The Bottom Line

The Monstera deliciosa fruit craze is fueled by its scarcity, unique look, and appealing tropical flavor. While not easily found at the average grocery store, more specialty suppliers now offer the ripped exotic fruits. With careful growing or sourcing, it's possible for plant lovers to try this botanical delicacy.

Just make sure to properly identify and ripen any Monstera fruits to avoid toxicity. With an intriguing mix of banana, pineapple, and jackfruit notes, the flesh can be enjoyed in both sweet and savory dishes. As supplies increase, Monstera deliciosa may become less of an Instagram novelty and more of a backyard fruit staple.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.