What Does Noni Fruit Taste Like?

You’ve probably heard of Noni fruit, also known as Morinda citrifolia. It’s a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia and Australia and is a bit of an enigma in the culinary world. Its taste is quite distinctive, and it’s not something you’re likely to forget once you’ve tried it.

If you’re thinking of adding Noni fruit to your diet, it’s important to know that it’s not typically eaten raw. Instead, it makes juice or adds to other dishes to enhance flavor.

So, don’t imagine biting into a raw Noni fruit like an apple. Instead, consider it a unique ingredient that can add a new dimension to your cooking.

How Does Noni Fruit Taste?

Noni fruit carries a strong, distinctive flavor that is bitter and sour with a hint of sharpness. It’s not your typical sweet or tangy fruit taste but rather a robust flavor that can be quite surprising if you’re not expecting it.

Types Of Noni Fruit

There are several types of Noni fruit, and their taste can vary slightly:

• Indian Mulberry: Known for its slightly sweeter taste compared to other types, but still carries the characteristic bitterness of Noni fruit.
• Hawaiian Noni: This variety is known for its strong, pungent taste that’s more on the bitter side.
• Tahitian Noni: This type is often described as having a slightly smoother taste but still maintains the typical Noni fruit bitterness.

Comparing Noni Fruit With Other Fruits

When compared to other fruits:

• Durian: Both fruits have a strong smell and a unique taste, but Durian is creamier and sweeter.
• Papaya: Papaya is sweet and mild, quite the opposite of the strong, bitter taste of Noni fruit.
• Star Fruit: Star fruit has a tart, sour taste, somewhat similar to Noni, but it’s also sweet, which Noni is not.

Do Noni Fruits Taste Good?

The taste of Noni fruit can be quite polarizing. Some people appreciate its unique, robust flavor, while others find it too strong and bitter. If you enjoy trying new flavors and don’t shy away from bitter foods, you might find Noni fruit intriguing.

The taste of Noni fruit can also depend on its ripeness. A fully ripe Noni fruit tends to be less bitter and more palatable. However, it’s worth noting that the smell of ripe Noni fruit can be quite strong, which might affect your overall tasting experience.

Freezing Noni fruit is another way to make its taste more tolerable. The freezing process can help to slightly mellow the fruit’s strong flavor, making it a bit easier to consume.

What Does Noni Fruit Look Like?

Noni fruit is quite distinctive in appearance. It’s a small, oval-shaped fruit that’s about the size of a potato. It has a rough, pitted skin that’s whitish when ripe.

When you’re buying Noni fruit at the grocery store, look for fruits that are firm to the touch. They should have whitish or yellowish skin, indicating they’re ripe. Avoid fruits that have dark spots or a strong, unpleasant smell, as these could be signs of over-ripeness or spoilage.

Remember, Noni fruit has a very strong smell when ripe, so don’t be put off by this. It’s just part of the fruit’s unique character!

Do Noni Fruits Have Seeds?

Yes, Noni fruits do have seeds. Inside the fruit, you’ll find many small, brown seeds. They’re quite hard and have a rough texture similar to that of a sunflower seed.

While Noni fruit seeds are technically edible, they’re not usually consumed due to their hard texture and bitter taste. So, you should remove the seeds before consuming the fruit or using it in recipes.

How To Make Noni Fruit Taste Good

While Noni fruit has a strong, distinctive taste that some people find off-putting, there are ways to make it more palatable without necessarily adding it to recipes.

• Choose ripe Noni fruit: A fully ripe Noni fruit tends to be less bitter than an unripe one. Look for fruits with a whitish or yellowish skin, indicating they’re ripe.
• Freeze the fruit: Freezing Noni fruit can help to slightly mellow its strong flavor. You can cut the fruit into small pieces and freeze them for a few hours before consuming.
• Mix with other fruits: While this isn’t exactly a recipe, you can try eating Noni fruit with other fruits to balance its strong taste. For example, you could have a piece of Noni fruit with a slice of sweet mango or pineapple.
• Make Noni juice: Noni juice is often considered more palatable than the fruit itself. You can make Noni juice by blending the fruit with a bit of water and then straining out the seeds and pulp.

How To Use Noni Fruit In Recipes And Side Dishes

Here are some popular ways to use Noni fruit in your cooking:

Recipes

• Noni Fruit Smoothie: Blend Noni fruit with some sweet fruits like bananas, strawberries, or mangoes to balance its strong flavor. Add honey or agave syrup for extra sweetness if needed.
• Noni Fruit Salad: Add diced Noni fruit to a tropical fruit salad. The strong flavor of Noni can complement the sweet and tangy flavors of other tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and papaya.
• Noni Fruit Sauce: You can make a unique sauce using Noni fruit, vinegar, sugar, and spices. This sauce can be used as a marinade for meats or a salad dressing.

Side Dishes

• Noni Fruit Salsa: Mix diced Noni fruit with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice to make a unique salsa. The strong flavor of Noni fruit can add a surprising twist to this classic side dish.
• Noni Fruit Chutney: Cook Noni fruit with sugar, vinegar, and spices to make a tangy and sweet chutney. This can be a great accompaniment to grilled meats or cheese.

Noni Fruit FAQs