AKEBIA-The Fruit

[GlorifiedRice]

I was on some gardening sites and found this:

http://bp2.blogger.com/_rwuMjRB5iJk/RxLM5-...0-h/akebia2.jpg

Akebia is a genus of just two species of flowering plant, within the family Lardizabalaceae. The scientific name, akebia, is a Latinization of the Japanese name for species Akebia quinata: akebi (通草, akebi?). They are commonly referred to as chocolate vine, and are grown by gardeners as ornamental climbing vines.

The purple or reddish purple flowers are borne on racemes and have a slight chocolate scent. Their fruits are edible. The two species have been cultivated into several varieties, some of which flower white rather than dark maroon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akebia

Its Zone 5 and higher...

Anyone eaten the fruit?

[Tri2Cook]

Never heard of it. Looks kinda cool though. Is there any mention of the flavor of the fruit or just that it's edible?

Edit: Did a little googling because I'm curious and turned up a couple sources that described it as "reminiscent of a mild melon-flavored or guava-flavored tapioca". Interesting.

Edited April 27, 2008 by Tri2Cook (log)

[chiantiglace]

I dont consider melon and guava to be that similar.

[Hiroyuki]

Yes, I have. You just put what's inside the thick skin in your mouth, move it about in your mouth to have the jelly-like, slightly sweet substance around the seeds, and spit out the seeds.

[Tri2Cook]

I dont consider melon and guava to be that similar.

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I assumed that it meant that the flavor varied from fruit to fruit but I really don't know. That was pretty much the only description I was able to find regarding the flavor.