23 countries, 38 states

Thursday, November 10, 2011

miami's fruit and spice park!

A little while ago, when we were in South Florida for my dad's conference, we decided to head down south of Miami to the Fruit and Spice Park.  We didn't know what to expect but we ended up having a great day, touring and walking around.  




The park is a 37-acre subtropical botanical paradise nestled in the heart of the historic Redland community about 35 miles south of Miami.  It boasts more than 500 varieties of rare fruits, herbs, spices and nuts from around the world including 80 varieties of bananas, 70 varieties of bamboo, 40 varieties of grapes, 50 varieties of mangoes, 15 varieties of jackfruit trees and numerous other exotic edibles.  The park has an herb and vegetable garden, banana groves, and an amazing African Baobab tree orchard. Visitors are allowed to sample fallen fruit and the Welcome Center's tasting table has a great selection of seasonal harvest.  They even let us take clippings and seedlings to plant! 


We had a great day and I hope you enjoy our trip, through the pictures :)


the ylang ylang blossom...what they make Chanel No. 5 out of!


a gorgeous citrus tree


persimmon tree


....can't eat the persimmons until you have a frost! 


bamboo grove


horseradish tree...wasn't spicy but packed full of protein.  they plant these in impoverished countries like haiti!


horseradish tree pods and seeds....we got to take some home to plant!


garlic tree....strong!


giant taro grove


the three toed sloth only eats this kind of fruit!  


the huge African baobob trees...they can get so big that 50 people can circle it!



the seeds are used for carving


the largest fruit on earth!  the jackfruit and tree 



bananas!


wild pineapple


starfruit


some variety of mango


tiny bananas :)


the tasting table


ginger fruit....you rub your hands on it and it deodorizes your hands :)


tastes like pineapple!


mmmm....


A delicious tour!  If you are ever in the area, you should definitely check it out!

No comments:

Post a Comment