Misperos

Misperos

Just came in from eating misperos. I had never heard of them before. but I happen to be living in a relatively perfect climate for them and they are in abundance right now. Actually, they have been ripening over the last two months. They are nearing the end now as the rain has become infrequent and they are drying out before fully ripening. I think the flavor may be more intense because it is concentrated.

I am a plant nut and no matter where I am I always, somewhat obsessively, try to learn as much as I can about the plants I see. I love St. Thomas because the weeds by the sides of the roads are the high-priced houseplants in Boston. If you have ever read The Secret Life of Plants you will have an idea as to the depth of my interest and caring about plants.

But I digress…

Misperos. I remember my first sighting of them. In August, they were not quite ripe. but looked like small peaches or apricots. I wondered about the wisdom of picking unknown fruit off of trees – would I get sick? - and I wondered what they tasted like.

Now I know. I walk outside and pick them regularly. The dog eats them too.

They are quite small and they have a soft skin like an apricot. I peel the skin. The dog does not. The taste (I had to go out and eat one just now) is a combination of peach and mango with a nice tartness.

They are also known as loquat or Chinese plums.

A mispero is about 75 percent seed. There are two or three large shiny brown seeds in each one. The first time I saw the seed I thought it was animal droppings. They are large and actually attractive.

There are misperos for sale in the markets. I don’t imagine they travel well. I understand that they grow incredibly well in this area. As do gardenias. It would sure seem so. They are everywhere and the trees are completely laden with fruit.

As I walk the grounds here in San Agustin, I can pick pomegranates, limes, oranges and misperos. I even picked a tangerine this morning. There is a fig tree that is looking healthy too.

In the pueblos they are harvesting the corn and preparing for the Day of the Dead.
One sees fields of marigolds being grown. It is the flower of choice for those celebrations. I will go and shoot just before the harvest.

It has not rained for days now. The dry season is coming.

Henry says it gets so dry, you never think anything will grow again.....