Banana

 

Since the introduction of bananas in 1616, many Bermudians have started their mornings off with this sweet fruit. Today, it represents a traditional part of Sunday breakfast, often served with codfish and potatoes. The very first bananas sold in London, England, originated in Bermuda.

Bay Grapes

Don’t be surprised to see your path to a pink-sand beach lined with fields of bay grapes. They are a common sight here, and Bermudians sometimes use the fan-shaped leaves as place cards.

Bermuda Onion

At one time, Bermudians were known around the world as “Onions.” The island soil and climate produced especially savoury onions that soon developed a reputation in the New York markets. So much so that the name stuck. The first onion seeds arrived from England in 1616, and the rest is history.

Cassava

Cassava pie is a famous Bermudian Christmas dish. The roots of the cassava resemble thin sweet potatoes, and are soaked, scraped, ground and squeezed to make coarse, starchy flour. The cassava tree arrived here from South America.

Loquat

Governor Reid introduced this fruit tree to Bermuda in 1850. It thrives in sheltered areas, and bears yellow-orange, plum-like fruit that ripens in late fall to early spring. Very delicious whether served fresh or preserved, many connoisseurs use loquat as a liqueur or a relish.

Paw-Paw

A good source of vitamin C, this member of the papaya family was once used to treat ringworm and warts. Now it is cooked as a vegetable or eaten raw when ripe. How can you know if a paw-paw is ripe? When the green fruit turns a yellow-orange colour.