Ackee: Jamaica’s National Fruit With A Dangerous Side
What Ackee Is And Where It Comes From: Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and plays an important role in the island’s cuisine. The fruit originally came from West Africa and was brought to the Caribbean in the 18th century. Over time, it became a key ingredient in traditional Jamaican cooking. The ackee fruit grows in red pods on trees. When it ripens fully, the pod naturally splits open to reveal three large black seeds surrounded by soft yellow flesh called arils. Only the yellow arils are safe to eat, and only after the fruit opens on its own. This natural opening is a clear sign that the fruit is ready.