Has anyone had fruit from the Akee as far north as Palm Bay? My four to five year old tree has fruit setting. If eventualy I get fruit, any recommendations on how to cook with fish? I know the dangers of the unripe fruit. I'd post pictures but my photos are always too large.

I've heard of Akee, but have never had it. Any good? Worth it? Is that the one that if not perfectly ripe it is poisonous?

Yes, the Akee has to ripen on its own and break out of a pod. It's part of a Jamacian standard -- Akee and fish. The first time, long ago when I was in Jamacia, I had the dish. I liked it, but don't remember too much. The tree is attractive -- softwood so far. Any suggestions on how to post my pictures? I try and every time they are rejected -- over 200 MB??? I think that is what the error says.

Ackee/Akee RECALL

FDA is announcing the recall of some shipments of the fruit Ackee (Blighia sapida)- a tropical fruit imported
mostly from Jamaica.

The fruit has levels of a naturally occurring toxin called Hypoglycin that are of health concern.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/NEW01288.html

Bring up your image in paint, you might be able to right click it from windows explorer and choose edit. Then choose image, then stretch/skew, and choose the same % for both horiz and vert, say 40%, and see what size saving that will make the picture. Obviously don't save over your original.

Gary

For those who do not know what "Akee" is (include myself)? Here's a website.

http://www.foodmuseum.com/akee.html

I'm growing a 15-20 foot Ackee in East Merritt Island (no freezes since '89). I've had plenty of fruit....no luck with germinating seeds yet. Maybe I'll try scarifying/soaking. The tree has been battered by hurricanes the last two years so it's sorta lop-sided but still producing.

I've read that the percentage of hypoglycin in Ackee fruit never gets down to zero at any stage of ripeness so I'd be careful. The percentage of insect parts and rodent feces never gets down to zero in peanut butter either but that probably won't cause Jamaican Vomiting Sickness/death.

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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined-Henry David Thoreau

William Bligh, Captain of the famous Her Majesty's Service BOUNTY (of the Mutiny On The Bounty fame) is credited with bringing Akee from West Africa to the Caribbean Islands, and specifically into Jamaica in 1793.

It is therefore no wonder that Akee, a member of the Sapindaceae (Soapberry) family and relative of the Lychee and the Longan has derived its scientific name of Blighia sapida in honor of Captain Bligh.

Akee has now become a major feature of various Caribbean cuisines, the most famous being the national dish of Jamaica, Akee with Salt Cod.

Strangely enough, the fruit of the Akee is not edible. It is only the fleshy arils around the seeds that are edible. The remainder of the fruit, including the seeds are poisonous. The fruit must only be picked after the fruit has opened naturally, and must be fresh and not overripe. Immature and overripe Akees are also poisonous.
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Here is my photo of Akee display taken at the Redland Summer Fruit Festival in Fruit & Spice Park, Homestead, Florida on 21st June, 2008;

http://www.asitghosh.com/MISC/...E/asit_akee_fs_sm.jpg

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I have 50 to 100+ ripe or nearly ripe fruit on my tree right now. Anyone is welcome to pick some but heed the warning that I posted a couple of years ago:

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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined-Henry David Thoreau

Edited: 08/04/2008 at 05:36 PM by OldNed

A true story of a person's near-fatal Hypoglycemic problem that can result from eating an unripe Akee (Blighia sapida).

The complete story;
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10...wwln-diagnosis-t.html

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Thanks for the article, Asit!!! I don't know whether I even want to try the fruit. I've seen the biggest tree full of fruits at Edison & Ford Estates and also at Flamingo Gardens with fruits lay all under the tree, They're quite beautiful with red shell break open to review the seeds and pulp inside.

Ackee / Akee #3

Yummy food and - GREAT SONG!!! Thanks to the English Beat for the lyrics!

Cross your fingers say you're on high Pretend you're in den and see what life brings But always taking things as they come Tends to make you forget to put anything in The longer you dwell the more it's like hell You sit by the well just making a wish It would be a shame to take too much blame Look we're all the same it's only a game Ackee 1-2-3 Ackee 1-2, 1-2-3 Did I just catch you laughing? Ackee 1-2-3 Ackee 1-2, 1-2-3 Forward where the knocks are hardest Some to failure some to fame Never mind the cheers or hooting Keep your head and play the game Try to keep your feet on the ground Without getting them stuck in the mud You will soon be over the moon

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Water dissolving...and water removing
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Ackee and saltfish, sounds awful tastes great. Looked like scrambled eggs and after a good surf I think ate 3 plates.

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surfing makes me feel some type of way

ACKEE #4

ACKEE #5

A few good sized trees down here in Vero loaded with fruit.

Sounds like good fire wood to me

Akee/Ackee #6

Akee/Ackee #7