The Marrow Spoon

A fresh loquat is something you can't buy in stores. At least, not that I have been able to find in this country. However, it grows all over the place, since it looks rather like a magnolia tree and requires little care, it is a popular apartment tree.

So you'll see these trees just heavy with bright yellow, fig-looking fruits and dark, shiny leaves with a characteristic broad shape. Sadly, most of the fruit seems to go overlooked and gets mashed into various parking lots and sidewalks. It's strange, because the public persimmon trees are raided, as you would expect, as soon as they bear fruit. But the loquat trees remain largely unplucked, maybe because most people don't recognize the fruit and are afraid to try it. Well, don't be afraid! Pick them and take them home! I can only eat so many and they don't keep well. Also, I feel funny being the only one scavenging in my neighboring apartment courtyard as people peek at me between blinds. Seriously, it is good, free food! You should have no trouble finding a ripe tree in your neighborhood.

They have a tart-sweet flavor that is hard to compare with other fruits, but isn't the slightest bit exotic or "acquired." I don't usually eat the skin.

(The picture is from Wikipedia.)