Marita — an Unusual Fruit Used to Make Red Soup
Amul Info ·
Growing in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, marita is a distinctive tropical fruit known for its unusual appearance and vibrant red dishes. It is used to prepare a traditional red soup, sauces, sweets, ice cream and beverages. The fruit holds an important place in the culinary traditions of local…
The marita fruit, which grows in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, stands out for its distinctive appearance and the red-coloured dishes prepared from it. Botanically known as Pandanus conoideus , this fruit plays an important role in the food culture of local communities. It is also known by names such as marata, kuansu and buah merah.
Marita differs from ordinary fruits because of its size. It can grow to between 30 and 120 centimetres in length and weigh up to 7.5 kilograms. Eating the fruit raw is not recommended; it is usually cooked or otherwise processed before consumption.
One of the best-known dishes made from this fruit is a red soup called “marita sauce.” To prepare it, the fruit is cut lengthwise into three sections. The outer red layer containing small seeds is then removed and boiled for approximately half an hour. Once the fruit has softened, its flesh is crushed by hand until it becomes a juice-like mixture. The resulting juice is diluted with a little water to make a rich, oily red soup. This dish is often eaten with palm leaves or green onions.
Marita is used for more than just making soup. Cabbage leaves, potatoes and other vegetables can be added to prepare a variety of dishes. The fruit is also used to make sweets, ice cream, puddings and drinks.
Freshly harvested marita fruit can usually be stored for about a week, while the cooked product keeps for approximately 12 hours. For this reason, appropriate conditions must be observed during harvesting, preparation and storage.
The marita plant belongs to the pandanus family and grows to a height of 2–3.5 metres. Long, reed-like leaves grow at the ends of its branches. These leaves measure 1–2 metres in length and can reach 10 centimetres in width. Small thorns can also be found on its stem.
The plant begins to bear fruit after several years. Its fruiting period lasts approximately three to four months. Each plant produces an average of five to ten fruits. During the early stages of development, marita fruit is bright red; when fully ripe, it turns a yellowish-red colour.
In some regions of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, marita is considered one of the distinctive ingredients of local cuisine. Its use in a variety of dishes highlights the rich diversity of tropical plants in the food cultures of peoples around the world.