ON UNIQUE FRUIT (BANGKOK)

WHAT IS THIS FRUIT?

Well, I was a bit away from the plate and i just blurted, "What is that? Sampaloc?"

Well everyone laughed at me, and in fact, pitied me!!! 

It is a CAMANCHILE!


Of course, it had a different color even if it had similar shape to the tamarind.

I told them, the only camanchile I know is Camanchile Street in Zamboanga City!!!

They all laughed.

I guess this may be more common in Luzon, but I never encountered this in Cebu or Zamboanga City!

And to think, I first saw and ate it in Bangkok!!!

So I just got some data from the net to share about it.

http://www.wordnik.com/words/kamachiles

Definition of Kamachiles

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In Guam and the Philippines, Pithecolobium dulce, a Mexican tree introduced into those islands for the sake of its edible pods and of its bark, which yields 25 per cent. of tannin. Also camanchile. See guamuchil.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090117213326AAK1Eu7

Camanchile, Pithecolobium dulce Benth. (Leguminosæ), a native
of tropical America; introduced into the Philippines by the Spaniards
probably in the first century of Spanish occupation; now thoroughly
naturalized and widely distributed in the Archipelago. 

In Mexico is is known as Guamuchil. Yes you can eat the fruits just fresh or roasted. If you are from Philippines the fruit looks a bit like tamarind but has a curved or twisted shape, white pink color. Pod contains several seeds. There is a sub variety which is bitter but still edible.

Well, I wasn't wrong that it is shaped like a tamarind!

Funny, that this is not primarily Asian but rather Central and Southern American in origin.

I like it and it tastes healthy!!!

Thanks to the friendly folks in Fai Sor Kam at the fourth floor in Paragon, Bangkok who offered it to us!


Please answer me... have you seen a real camanchile???