Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics

Agriculture Handbook No. 642, 252 p., illus.

The edible fruits of the Tropics are nnany in number, varied in form, and irregular in distribution. They can be categorized as major or minor. Only about 300 Tropical fruits can be considered great. These are outstanding in one or more of the following: Size, beauty, flavor, and nutritional value. In contrast are the more than 3,000 fruits that can be considered minor, limited severely by one or more defects, such as very small size, poor taste or appeal, limited adaptability, or limited distribution. The major fruits are not all well known. Some excellent fruits which rival the commercialized greatest are still relatively unknown in other parts of the Tropics*and should be promoted. Introducing new fruits into a country is often difficult, however, and must be done legally. Obtaining information on the fruits and their sources is a first step, and this publication provides much of that information. This publication also lists the minor fruits as completely as can be done with the present state of knowledge.

Keywords: major tropical fruits, minor tropical fruits, tropical fruit cultivation, tropical fruit distribution, tropical fruit introduction, tropical fruits, tropical fruit utilization

Publication Details

• Published: 1987
• Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture