Do you know the names of these popular Nigerian fruits? Check and see!
Most of these fruits were seen around us while growing up but we were barely told their English names.
Most of the fruits that originated in West Africa are mostly given traditional or invented names so we tend to. ignore what they are called internationally.
Here are 5 common fruits you see in your environment while going about your day to day life and probably don’t know their English name or botanical names:
1. Tropical Almonds
This delicious fruit that has its tree in at least a compound on each street in the Southern part of Nigeria is mostly referred to as “fruit”.
2. Black Velvet Tamarind
This fruit is found in all parts of the country with each part giving it its unique name. The black velvet tamarind is known as Icheku (Igbo), Awin (Yoruba) and Tsamiyar kurm (Hausa). Little children also have a name for it called “lickie lickie”.
3. Rose Apple
This rose apple is commonly referred to as “Local Apple” which we were mostly accustomed to while we were growing up.
4. African Star Apple
This is probably the most anticipated fruit in Nigeria. There’s always outrage on social media if the season comes a bit late. It is mostly called Agbalumo in Yoruba or Udara in Igbo.
5. Tiger nuts
This is another fruit that has different names based on the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. The fruit is popularly known as Aki Hausa in the Southeast and North while they call it Ofio in the Southwest.