I first bought a granada china — literally, a “chinese pomegranate” — a few months after moving to Mexico. I had no idea what it was (I’d been suckered by a tianguis vendor, oh naive extranjera that I was), and so I asked my Mexican landlady.
She said it contained a mucous-like sack of seeds. You cut the fruit in half and suck them out with your tongue.
The mucous idea scared me. The china slowly rotted in the fridge, and I never bought one again.
In India, we ate passion fruit right off the tree. The granada china bears a striking resemblance to passion fruit — actually, they’re related — and so at the tianguis a few weekends ago, I confidently asked for “dos maracuyá.”
A man behind the table laughed. “That’s not a maracuyá,” he said. “It’s a granada china.”
I bought a few anyway. Came back, sliced them in half — they opened with a satisfying crack — and dug into the gelatinous center with a spoon. It tasted similar to a passion fruit, but a little more musty — sweet, but without the bright, lemony, mangoey notes you sometimes get with passion fruit.
Eating it was so much fun. I used a wee spoon, and scooped out the soggy flesh from each half. We still have some Leblon Cachaça left, so when I feel better, hubby and I must try granada china caipirinhas on the patio.
I’ll try anything once, but mucus-like food just doesn’t do it for me. That’s why I’m not good with nopales, unless they’re grilled!
I love the taste of granada china but I always have to close my eyes when I eat it because it looks like it’s infested with bugs.
Hmmm… never thought of that… but it did make me laugh. 🙂 I’m sorry for laughing at your phobia.
First time I saw the inside of one it reminded me of something out of Ridley Scott’s Alien movies
Scooter: I didn’t realize people were so scared of the granada china. I think I’ve stumbled onto something here. May have to due a future post on Mexico’s Scariest Fruits.
OMG I LOVE granada! First time we tried was at the mercado in Patzcuaro. Both my boys (at that time, around 10 and 12?) adored the fruit and we bought a ton. Camped somewhere else where we picked them from trees.
Here in QRoo they are pricey in the supers but I still, in summer, will pay the outrageous prices and enjoy.
I love this fruit!!
I just had one Christmas Day. I thought it resembled a Pineapple Guava. It even tastes a little like one. Could they be related?
Hey Lesslie have u ever tries a pitaya(i am not sure if that is the way u spell it} it is a very sweet fruit that grows on a pitayo (a type of cactus) found in parts of Michoacan. The season is just around the corner for these fruit they are ready in June or July.
Granada china is my favorite fruit, but i can only eat it few times in the year. On my honey moon they were everywere in the hotel so I have a happy vacation eating them..jojo
Hello just wondering were can I buy the Granada china
Are those available in Mexico year round? I am from Peru and realllllllly miss granadilla (or granada china as you guys call it). I am seriously considering a trip to Mexico (it would be cheaper than flying to Peru) just to eat some
They’re mostly available year round, but they tend to taste the best in the early spring, I believe. And you should come to Mexico! There are a lot of other things to fill your time, after you taste the granadilla. 🙂
I love the Granada China had some a few days ago in YURIRIA Guanajuato Mexico Too bad I can’t find them here in Los Angeles California there soo good !!