Turns out, you can easily buy exotic fruits, which is a good way to expand your horizons and try something new. The Triton Voice decided to try out some unusual fruits that you can find at a local grocery store. These five fruits were all found in the exotic fruit section at the Market Basket in Rowley.

First up was the prickly cactus pears (rightmost in photo), which is a lot less intimidating than it sounds.

• Origin: Mexico / Central America
• Preparation: pull off spikes, peel and remove interior spines, then chop remaining flesh into chunks
• Taste: very little taste, a slightly sweet, water-y
• Texture: mushy, very hard seeds, grainy
• Price: $0.79
• Additional Comments: a lot is wasted due to peeling process                

Next, the Triton Voice tried papaya, which is the large orange/green fruit at the bottom of the photo.

• Origin: Tropical America, Asia
• Preparation: peel the skin off, cut it in half lengthwise, scrape the seeds out with a spoon and cube the halves
• Taste: sweet, mango-esq flavor, tart
• Texture: slightly leathery, firm flesh
• Price: $2.99
• Additional Comments: much of the inside is filled with seeds which means it is expensive for the amount of flesh you get

The Triton Voice also tried quince, which is featured on the left of the photo. Generally, this is eaten cooked, however it can also be eaten raw, in an effort to preserve the vitamins it is so rich in.

• Origin: Turkey
• Preparation: remove the core and cut into slices
• Taste: apple-esq, very dry flavor, slightly lemony
• Texture: thin skin, similar to an apple
• Price: $1.99
• Additional Comments: very quick to brown, cousin of an apple meaning they are very similar

The next fruit on the docket was a New Zealand kiwi, which is at the top left of the photo.

• Origin: New Zealand
• Preparation: cut kiwi in half at the widest part and cut into circular slices
• Taste: sweet, very earthy, faint banana taste
• Texture: banana-esq texture, slimy, a little stringy
• Price: $0.49
• Additional Comments: seeds in center can be a little hard, kiwi can be peeled if hairs are not desired

Finally, the Triton Voice tried star fruit, the yellow fruit at the top right of the photo.

• Origin: southern China
• Preparation: cut into thin wedges
• Taste: sweet, bitter aftertaste, very floral taste (similar to the smell of perfume)
• Texture: soft, grainy, leathery skin
• Price: $1.49
• Additional Comments: very little waste and does not have seeds