Fruit

The plum is a small, dark red fruit related to peaches and cherries. Dried plums are sometimes called prunes. Plums can be eaten raw or used to cook puddings.

The pomegranate is originally native to Asia but has been grown around the Mediterranean area for centuries. It is the fruit of a deciduous shrub. The name means "seeded apple". Pomegranates have a hard outside layer that you cannot eat. The part of the pomegranate you eat is the juicy seeds. You can eat them raw, make them into juice, or use them in desserts or other dishes.

The prickly pear is a kind of cactus. When you eat the fruit of the cactus, you have to be very careful to remove the thorns from the fruit. The entire cactus including the fruit is covered in thorns.

Quandongs are a type of fruit found in Australia, and are also known as the native peach. They are semi-parasitic and will get some nutrients from the roots of nearby trees and plants. Quandongs grow right across Australia, even in the dryest areas. The fruit itself had a big seed and a very thin coating of fruit on the outside. The seeds are textured and can be made into interesting jewelry.

Quandongs can be used to make jam and pies.

The Quince is native to southwest. It is a small deciduous tree growing 5-8 m tall and 4-6 m wide. It is related to apples and pears. The quince has a pear-shaped fruit that is bright yellow when it is ripe.

Raspberries are the fruit of a very vigorous deciduous thorny bush related to blackberries, roses and strawberries. Raspberries can spread by sending out roots a long way under the ground that then sprout new plants. Raspberries can take over your backyard if you don't keep them pruned.

Raspberries can be eaten fresh, made into juice, or cooked into pies. Raspberries are very good for you.

Redcurrants are a small berry related to gooseberries that are from Europe. They are quite sour and are only used for making jams and other cooked food. A paler, less sour type of redcurrant is called whitecurrant.

Star fruit (kamrak) is popular in areas of Asia such as the Philippines, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. It grows best in tropical areas. It is a sweet, juicy fruit and is high in vitamin C, as well as having other health benefits.

The strawberry is the fruit of a small, low growing plant. Strawberries are red and very sweet. They are unusual because their seeds are on the outside, and most fruits have seeds on the inside. Strawberries are related to roses.

Tangerines are a very sweet citrus fruit closely related to the mandarin. They are easy to peel and break into segments.