Fruits that taste of chocolate pudding, crème caramel or banana bubblegum: it sounds like something from a children’s storybook, but you’ll find all of these and more in John Picone’s exotic fruit tree orchard.
John’s immaculately kept one-hectare plantation near Mullumbimby contains an incredible collection of more than 240 varieties of tropical exotic fruits, herbs and spices.
Every row contains a new discovery, fruits you won’t find in any supermarket or green grocer: from the pretty pink pineapples, sweet tasting loquats and giant prickly pears, to massive trailing vanilla bean and pepper vines.
There are four varieties of dragonfruit (including a delicious pink variety developed by John), ten varieties of mango, apples, loquats, longans, abiu, jakfruit, black Brazilian cherries, sapotes, mulberries, grapes and cumquats to name a few.
John’s says his passion for fruit began during his childhood in Italy, where he could often be found climbing in the family fruit orchard: “I can remember fruits there that were just amazing – tiny little pears, like a teardrop shape, red and yellow and you’d get close and oh, the fragrance.”
He started growing exotic fruits in Australia about 20 years ago after leaving behind his city graphic design job and relocating to the Northern Rivers with Lyndall and their young family.
During that time he has amassed a vast amount of knowledge, and is constantly seeking out new and unusual varieties.
His fruit is only sold locally, which ensures time between picking and eating is kept to the absolute minimum and all fruit is fresh off the tree.
“I want to share with people the pleasure of actually eating a fruit which has grown to perfect maturity.
“That sensational taste and texture when it’s grown properly, because I think we’re losing that.”
Find Picone’s Exotics at the Mullumbimby Farmers Markets every Friday.
HEARD OF THESE?
Black Sapote: Also known as chocolate pudding fruit, they have texture and flavour similar to – you guessed it – chocolate pudding.
Abiu: A small round yellow fruit with a creamy flesh and flavour of crème caramel.
Jakfruit: A huge fruit common in south east Asia. It has a yellow flesh with a taste that some compare to fruity bubblegum.
Pomelo: A large citrus similar in appearance to a large grapefruit, but with a sweeter taste. Flavour of orange lime and grapefruit.
Longan: Similar to a lychee, with a fresh, sweet flavour.
Rollinia: Also known as Brazilian Custard Apple, Looks like a yellow custard apple, tastes like lemon meringue pie.
Story and pics by Kate O’Neill
