Just an hour south of Miami is a candyland of tropical fruits ripe for picking.
Veinte Cohol bananas are a small, fast-growing variety with a creamy texture and citrusy tang.
They are rarely found outside of the Philippines.
From left: Red bananas at the Fruit & Spice Park, in Homestead, Florida; harvesting carambolas at Paradise Farms.Credit:From left: Daniel Wilson/Alamy; Courtesy of PAradise Farms
We have 40 banana varieties, said Philip Romero, a guide at the park.
These are more flavorful than your typical store-bought Cavendish banana.
Everyone loves how petite they are.
Ordering a shake at Robert Is Here.Michael Dwyer/Alamy
Located about an hours drive from downtown Miami, the area is a juicy bazaar for rare produce.
When the 45-minute tour came to a close, Romero wanted me to sample one more thing.
Next, I tasted a few red berries native to West Africa, then bit into the gamboge again.
From left: A mango milkshake from the farm stand Robert Is Here; the tree trail at Fruit & Spice Park.From left: Emergent Media/Courtesy of Visit Florida; courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
This time the gamboge tasted sweet.
Thats why the berries are called Miracle Fruit, Romero said with a smile.
The agricultural estates that remain places like Berry Farm and Paradise Farms offer guided tours and sell produce.
It tasted like a cross between a banana and pineapple.
I think I found my favorite new fruit, I said.
There I met the owner, Peter Schnebly, at a circular oak bar.
Its our second-best-selling wine today.
I was pleasantly surprised.
Here are some highlights.
Fruit & Spice Park
A botanical garden that grows more than 500 varieties of fruits and vegetables.
Paradise Farms
A 17-acre organic farm that hosts tours and dinners.
Patch of Heaven Sanctuary
An ecological reserve that pairs meditative walks with fruit tastings.
Robert Is Here
A family-owned fruit and smoothie stand in operation since 1959.
Schnebly Redlands Winery
A winery and brewery that ferments tropical fruits.
