Have you heard of quenepas? Genips? What about Spanish limes?  Quenepas are a small tropical fruit popular throughout the Caribbean and South America. Originally native to South America, they’re now cultivated in any friendly tropical environment. Due to their health benefits, they’ve slowly been making their way into broader markets. A unique fruit, the quenepa is relatively tiny. Only slightly larger than an olive, it possesses a hard outer skin.  Removing this skin is worth it; inside you’ll find a soft, jelly-type fruit that’s quite tasty. 

Quenepa converts to love the unique taste of this fruit. Many describe it as having a plum/pineapple/lime-like taste. Although people may disagree with what it tastes like, most agree that it is both sweet and tangy. Eating this small fruit takes a bit of time. Though they are often enjoyed on their own, they can be added to dishes in need of a bit of zest. They are an excellent snack; many dieters prefer this fruit for the effort it takes to eat it. After removing the hard skin, people take their time to suck off the fruit from the pit and then spit out the seed; it’s hard to overeat quenepa fruit.

A single serving of quenepas, or ½ cup of raw fruit, contains approximately 56 calories. It is a fat and cholesterol-free food. This serving contains 19 grams of sugar, mostly from the fruit's natural sugars.  A ½ cup serving also provides a single gram of protein.

Vitamins Found in Quenepas

This tropical fruit is a good source of vitamin A; a serving offers about 10% of the recommended daily allowance. This vitamin is essential in the body’s maintenance of the eyes.  In enough quantities vitamin A can also work as an antioxidant in the body, boosting the immune system and fighting against free radicals that if left unchecked can cause significant damage. Studies link free radicals to both chronic diseases and cancers.

Vitamin A works well with vitamin C also abundant in quenepa fruit. This vital vitamin boosts the immunity system and also helps to remove free radicals floating throughout the body.  Trace amounts of thiamin are also available, about 1% per serving. Thiamin is part of the B-complex of vitamins, which all help to produce energy in the body. Thiamin specifically helps the body metabolize energy.  Deficiencies in thiamin (or B1) can lead to issues with the nervous system.

Minerals Found in Quenepas

These tiny fruits are worth the effort.  They offer calcium, which is essential in maintaining healthy bones and teeth. This mineral also helps the body maintain its acid and alkaline balance; if the body’s pH level drops too low, the body will remove calcium from the bones to restore balance.

It’s important to provide the body with enough calcium to counteract this process. Phosphorus is present as well and helps the body regulate hormonal levels and aids the digestive process. A serving provides 3% of the body’s iron needs as well.  Iron is crucial in creating and maintaining healthy blood in the body.

Other Compounds  Found in Cabbage

Quenepas contain fiber which helps the body lower cholesterol, improving overall heart health. Studies show that consuming enough dietary fiber can help lower bad cholesterol levels (LDL). Fiber also helps move waste through the intestines, thus being able to address issues including constipation. 

Are you familiar with tryptophan? This element is considered nature’s natural sleep aid; it helps the body regulate melatonin among other things which can naturally trigger sleep cycles. If you plan on eating several quenepas at once, consider doing so in the evenings, you may soon find yourself yawning! Perhaps most important are the phenolic compounds. These antioxidants offer the body a host of benefits including strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

How To Select & Buy Quenepas

Due to their tropical origins, Spanish limes may be safely stored on a counter at room temperature for several days. They can store longer when refrigerated.  Select fruits that are uniformly green in color. The flesh should be firm. Avoid fruits with soft spots, discolored skin, or cut or punctured skin.  When opened, the flesh should appear juicy and peach-like.

Quenepas Serving Suggestions

The most common way to enjoy quenepas is simply to eat them. Do be careful of the largish seeds, however; they could pose a choking hazard, especially for children. Because the pulp surrounds the seeds, it can be time-consuming to remove it. But if you find the motivation, quenepas can be a tasty addition to fruit and vegetable smoothies, and salads, or as a topping for breakfast favorites including oatmeal and yogurt. Their tropical taste profile also lends itself well to salsas, which can be enjoyed with chips or added to white, lean proteins such as fish, poultry, or pork. 

Five Fun Quenepa Facts

1.   The leaves of the Quenepa tree can be boiled to create tea; traditional medicinal uses for this tea address intestinal issues.

2.    Quenepas are most popular in Mexico and Asia.

3.   In Ponce, Puerto Rico, they hold a yearly festival to honor the quenepa called the National Genip Fruit Festival. 

4.   Be Careful!  The fruit can leave brown stains on clothing.

5.  Quenepas should only be consumed when ripe; unripe fruits can be toxic.