Exotic Fruit : Where to Find Exotic Fruits

It’s impossible to list all the ethnic markets in Southern California where exotic fruits are sold. What follows is just a sampling of places to buy fruits from tropical zones.

* Major Supermarkets: Lucky’s, Ralph’s, Von’s, Gelson’s, Bristol Farms stock fruit imported by Frieda’s, Inc. Gelson’s has quite a large selection that includes passion fruit, cherimoya, tamarillo , pepinos , horned melons, feijoa , kumquats, Asian pears and different types of bananas. All market chains carry plantains and fresh coconut. Locations throughout Southern California.

* Latino Markets: Most stock “Mexican” papaya (the large variety of papaya) in addition to green and ripe mangoes and a large array of bananas and plantains. Depending on the season, some markets occasionally carry misperos , cherimoyas and passion fruit. Many also carry frozen fruit pulp of more common fruits and of fruits not easily found fresh here, including guanabana , lulo , tamarind and curuba . Addresses of a few locations follow:

El Mercado, 3425 East 1st St., Los Angeles, (213) 268-3451. Liborio Market, 864 S. Vermont Ave. (at 9th Street), Los Angeles, (213) 386-1458. Spectors, 2407 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank, (818) 841-0132. Yayabo Market, 11922 S. Hawthorne Blvd., Hawthorne, (310) 978-0887. El Camaguey Meat Market, 10925 Venice Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 839-4037. Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 624-2378.

* Thai and Vietnamese Markets: Most stock green mango, fresh durian and litchi in season. They also carry frozen durian and frozen and canned longan, rambutan and jackfruit. Addresses of two Thai markets follow:

Bangluck Market, 5170 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 660-8000. Silom Supermarket, Thailand Plaza, 5321 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 993-9000.

* Filipino Markets: Many stock large variety of mangoes, bananas and plantains in addition to frozen and canned fruit. One example:

Lorenzana Market, 627 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 664-9901.

* Farmers Markets: At these weekly markets, you can often find seasonal exotic fruits grown in California. At the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays, Arizona Avenue and 3rd Stree), for instance, you can find passion fruit, quince, cherimoya, guava and feijoa . Locations throughout Southern California.