Coming in from down under is the Illawarra Plum, a fruit that looks like a tiny purple fig but tastes like spiced apple sauce mixed with a hint of cranberry. It grows on a rainforest tree in Australia, and I imagine koalas gossip about it over eucalyptus tea.
What’s funny is that this fruit is so rare you’ve probably never seen it in a grocery store. It’s like the celebrity cameo of produce—everyone’s heard of it, but you only spot it at fancy food shows or if your neighbor is a secret botanist. The texture is a bit jammy, which makes it perfect for sauces or just eating straight off the tree if you’re brave enough to fight the local possums.
If you ever get your hands on one, you’re basically a culinary adventurer. Serve it over ice cream and pretend you’re on a cooking show—your friends will nod and pretend they knew what it was all along.
