WHAT IS IT?
Monstera deliciosais a flowering plantnativeto tropicalrainforests. It has been in-troduced to many tropical areas, including Hawai’i, and has become mildly invasive. The fruit ofMonstera deliciosagrows up to 12” long and 2” in diameter, and looks like an ear of corn covered with hexagonal shaped green scales. As the fruit ripens, these scales fall off releasing a strong, sweet scent reminiscent of pineapple or ba-nana.The fruit is considered edible and safe for humans, but make sure you eat it ripe; unripe monstera fruits contain needle-like, crystalline structures can irritate the mouth and throat.
HOW DO YOU EAT IT?
The fruit is deemed ripe when the first scales begin to lift up and a sweet odor is exuded. The ripening process can be accelerated by placing the fruit in a paper bag and setting it aside until the scales begin to pop off. The remaining scales can be brushed away to reveal the edible flesh underneath. The flesh, which is similar topineapplein texture, can be cut away from the core and eaten. Monstera has a fruity taste similar tojackfruitandpineapple.
