The Greengrocer By My Exotic Fruit

Ever seen a fruit that looks like a spaceship? That’s a pitaya, or dragon fruit. It’s pink, scaly, and weird—and it tastes like a polite kiwi.

You can find these at The Greengrocer by My Exotic Fruit. No, really. That’s the actual name. It sounds like a secret society for serious produce lovers.

The shelves are a jungle

Walk in, and you’ll see a rambutan. It’s covered in hairy red spikes. It looks like a stressed-out sea urchin.

Inside, it’s sweet and juicy. Like a grape that went to fancy school. You eat it, and your brain says, “Wait, that’s legal?”

Quirky facts that slap

Here’s a fun one: the durian smells so bad, it’s banned on public transport in Singapore. People describe it as “custard with a dead mouse.” Lovely, right?

But the flavor? It’s rich, creamy, and strangely addictive. Some call it the “King of Fruits.” Others call it a crime scene. Try it. You’ll have a story.

Another oddball: the cherimoya. Mark Twain called it “the most delicious fruit known to men.” It looks like a green pinecone with a grumpy face. Taste it, and you get notes of banana, pineapple, and bubblegum. Yes, bubblegum.

Why this shop is different

Most grocery stores sell apples and oranges. Boring. The Greengrocer by My Exotic Fruit sells jackfruit the size of a toddler. You need two hands and a plan to carry it.

Inside the wacky Essex greengrocer that supplied I'm a Celebrity: Get

The staff will help you pick a ripe one. They tap it like a drum. They sniff it like a sommelier. It’s a performance.

They also sell salak, or snake fruit. Its skin looks like reptile scales. Peel it off, and inside is a crunchy, garlicky-sweet surprise. It’s nature’s prank.

How to eat this stuff

First rule: don’t be scared. That ugli fruit? It’s just a confused grapefruit. Peel it. Eat it. Feel exotic.

Second rule: share the weirdness. Bring a mangosteen to a party. Crack it open. The white flesh looks like garlic cloves but tastes like a tropical hug. Everyone will ask, “Where did you get this?” You say, “The Greengrocer.” Instant cool points.

Third rule: take a picture. Your phone will thank you. The purple yam (ube) is so vibrant, it looks like a cartoon food. Plus, it’s great in ice cream. Win-win.

Inside the wacky Essex greengrocer that supplied I'm a Celebrity: Get

Why this matters

Eating exotic fruit is a tiny adventure. It costs, like, five bucks. But it makes your mouth do a double-take.

You learn that a custard apple is actually called that because it tastes like custard. And a soursop is sour. And it’s a fruit. The name is brutally honest.

Plus, these fruits are packed with vitamins. Dragon fruit has tons of fiber. Rambutan has iron. You’re basically a health guru while eating something that looks like a science experiment.

The gossip from the counter

I asked the owner, “What’s the weirdest fruit you’ve sold?” He said, “Hands down, the breadfruit. People think it’s a rock. I have to show them how to roast it like a potato.”

Another regular told me she feeds lychee to her pet iguana. The iguana loves it. It sits there, eating lychee, looking smug. I respect that iguana.

So next time you’re bored with apples, go to The Greengrocer by My Exotic Fruit. Buy something with spikes, scales, or a weird name. Eat it. Laugh. Live a little.