1. Jack fruit, NSW, Australia. The jackfruits are growing mostly in tropical areas of India, Southeast Asia, Brazil and the southern states of US. The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, they are a rich in complex carbohydrate, fibber vitamins and minerals. It is claimed to have also medicinal properties. This one was photographed at the Tropical Fruit Farm.
2. Yam beans, Guilin, China. A photo of this small bunch of yam beans was taken in the mountains near Guilin.
3. A leaf of Radicchio Treviso. This slightly bitter vegetable adds colour to any salad, but it maybe prepared in many ways; cooked in pastas, risotto, it maybe grilled or baked. It does contain vitamins and other valuable nutrients.
4. Lemons, Guilin, China. The boxes of lemons were sold in many markets and fruit stalls of Guilin.
5. A tray of figs, South Australia. The fruit grew since prehistoric times, first in western Asia, and then in the Mediterranean. By the eighteenth century it has been cultivated in many countries with hot dry summers. The figs are sweet and nutritious with high calcium content, and can be consumed fresh or dried.
6. Dragon Fruit, Guilin, China. Native of Mexico, Central and South America this beautiful fruit is a favourite in many Asian countries and Australia. It has a delicate refreshing taste and contains many nutrients. This image was taken at the Guilin market.
7. Onion flowering, Gold Coast, Qld. Possibly the red bunching onion, this plant was photographed in one of the vegerable gardens on the Gold Coast.
8. Plums, Gold Coast, Qld. This bowl of plums is ready for jam making.
9. Roma tomatoes. The pictured is a plate of miniature roma tomatoes grown by the Queensland farmers.
10. Pomegranate fruits, South Australia. A pomegranate tree is well tended by an owner of a small garden. Its leafy branches are heavy with the ripening fruit. They would soon turn garnet red and be ready for picking.
11. The globe artichokes, South Australia. This box of artichokes has been photographed at the Central Market in Adelaide, South Australia.
12. Apples, South Australia. Sweet and juicy these Royal Gala apples were photographed at the Central Markets in Adelaide.
13. Quince, South Australia. A small deciduous tree that bears fragrant yellow fruits such as the pictured one comes from Asia and the Middle East. It has been grown in those regions for more than four thousand years. These fruits make excellent jams and jellies. In some countries syrups and infusions are made for medicinal use.
14. Tomatoes. A daily dose of vitamins for most of us, these delicious fruits that originated in the mountains of South America have a long and interesting history. Many scientific articles and books have been written on the subject.
15. Oyster mushrooms, Gold Coast, Australia. A plate of mushrooms ready for cooking.
16. Merlot grapes, Lyrup, South Australia. Merlot grapes are larger and lighter in colour than a shiraz variety. The wines made from these berries have less tannin and produce dry smooth wines.
17. Potatoes, South Australia. The pictured potatoes varieties from left to right are - desiree, kipfler and chats.
18. Radicchio, Queensland. This slightly bitter vegetable adds colour to any salad, but it maybe prepared in many ways; cooked in pastas, risotto, it maybe grilled or baked. It does contain vitamins and other valuable nutrients.
19. Gourmet mushroom pack. Pictured on the tray (from front to back) are dark brown shitake, pale oyster and king oyster mushrooms, delicate long enoki and dark jelly like wood ear.
20. Tomatoes and thyme. Tomatoes are one of the most versatile edible plants. They can be eaten fresh in salads or as a part of great many dishes, sauces and preserves.
21. Truss tomatoes, Queensland. Italians call these plump fruits pomo d'oro, apple of gold. They are one of the most popular edible plants in their cuisine.
22. Olives, South Australia. The olive groves in the Clare Valley bear the ripening fruits that would soon be turned into good quality oil sold locally.
23. Black tomatoes, South Australia. They are called black but the colours of these tomatoes range from smoky or rusty reds to shades of brown and dark burgundy.
These tomatoes are considered native to Southern Ukraine from where they were brought in the nineteenth century to Russia and the rest of Europe.
24. Open cocoa pod, Cuba. Inside a thick leathery shell is a sweet pinkish pulp in which the cocoa seeds are imbedded. At this stage they are soft and pale, and will change their colour during the drying process.
25. Cocoa fruits, Cuba. The cocoa fruits grow straight from the tree trunks and their colour indicates whether they are ripe or not. The purple ones need to turn yellow-orange to be ready for harvesting.
26. Tomatoes, Queensland. A daily dose of vitamins for many of us, these delicious fruits that originated in the South American mountains have a long and interesting history. Many scientific articles and books have been written on the subject.
27. Eggplant (aubergine). The eggplant is widely grown and used in many countries of the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Europe and Australia. It can be stir-fried, stewed or stuffed with meat, rice and vegetables, and grilled to add to various other dishes.
28. Pineapple, Queensland. Native to Brazil and Paraguay this cone shaped fruit migrated to Asia and North Africa in the sixteenth century with the Spanish and Portuguese explorers. It appeared in Europe some time later where it was only ripened in glasshouses. Today it is cultivated in mainly for producing juice and preserves.