Origin and Uses for Babaco + Storage Tips

Babaco fruit is often called a “mountain papaya” or “champagne fruit” due to its refreshing, effervescent flavor. Some have described the taste as a cross between papaya, strawberry, and pineapple. Others have compared the flavor to that of a kiwi or a type of melon. 

Where did babaco originate from?

If you’ve never heard of babaco before, you’re not alone. This delicious fruit is not common in the United States – which brings us to the question, “Where is babaco from?”

The plant was originally discovered in the mountain highlands of Ecuador. Today, it’s grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of Central America. It was also introduced to New Zealand in the early 1970s. The plant grows well there since the climate is similar to the Ecuadorian highlands. It’s also now grown commercially in Israel and parts of Southern California.

How is babaco grown?

Babaco grows on shrubs, which typically grow quickly in the first year, then start to produce fruit. Since the fruits are seedless, the shrubs can only be cultivated by cutting and propagating. These plants do best in a mild and fairly humid climate and will only tolerate a light frost. Babaco plants are ideal for container gardening and can also be grown in a greenhouse environment.

The babaco plant has a lifespan of approximately eight years. It will typically produce about 30 to 60 fruits each year, and the fruits ripen one at a time throughout the season. Each babaco fruit grows about eight to 12 inches long and can weigh anywhere from one to four pounds each.

When is babaco in season?

Babaco fruit typically begins to ripen in November and continues through June. The peak season for babaco fruit is during the spring months.

How do you eat babaco?

You can either peel the skin from your babaco fruit before eating it or eat it whole. It’s also tasty when eaten raw or cooked into various recipes. It’s often pureed and made into a smoothie or milkshake, poured over ice cream, or added to recipes for pies, syrups, and other sweet treats.

Since babaco contains papain, a natural meat tenderizer, it’s also excellent when added to curries and stews with meat. Users sometimes also add it to salsas, sauces, and recipes that use other types of fresh fruit.

How do you cut babaco?

One of the most popular ways to eat babaco raw is to cut it crosswise into thick slices, which will result in a star shape. This makes it a beautiful addition to fruit platters and an attractive garnish for drinks. Once you’ve sliced your babaco, you can also eat it as-is or sprinkle it with honey, sugar, or other sweetener and serve it chilled.

What should I look for when buying babaco?

A babaco fruit is green in color before it has ripened. It will start to develop yellow patches, which will spread throughout the surface of the fruit. If you’re looking for a perfectly ripened babaco, you’ll want to choose one with bright yellow skin. You’ll also want to make sure the skin is smooth with no blemishes or splits.

As the fruit ripens, it will also soften. The softer the fruit is, the more flavorful it will be. Just remember that as the fruit ripens, the shelf life shortens. So, when choosing your fruit, keep in mind how quickly you plan to eat it. If you don’t need it for a few days, you may be better off choosing one that is still a bit green and allowing it to fully ripen on the counter before consuming it.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for babaco via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for babaco.

How to store babaco

If your babaco isn’t fully ripened when you buy it, you can keep it out on the counter until it turns yellow. This happens fairly quickly at room temperature, but you can also speed up the process by keeping the fruit inside a paper bag. If you don’t want it to ripen right away, you can keep it in a cool, dry place instead. When stored this way, babaco will typically for up to four weeks.

Once it is completely ripe, it’s best to eat babaco right away. Otherwise, you can keep it in the refrigerator for an additional two to three days.

How to tell if babaco is bad

If you’re wondering whether your babaco fruit has gone bad, start by taking a look at it. If it has developed any mold or become squishy, this is a sign that it’s no longer good. A pungent smell and/or a sour taste are also indications that your babaco fruit is past its prime.

What can I substitute for babaco?

The closest fruit to a babaco is papaya. If you can’t find babaco fruit in your local store, papaya will be a good substitute for most recipes. Shop for papaya. 

Add babaco to your grocery list today

Are you ready to experiment with this delicious fruit? It’s easy to do when you use Instacart! Just head over to Instacart, add everything you need to your shopping list and wait for a professional shopper to prepare your order. When it’s ready, you can pick it up at your favorite store or have it delivered right to your home. Try it out today!

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.