CLUBS
Club members explore the flavors
of exotic fruit grown in Florida
Everyone knows about Florida’s oranges, grapefruits,
strawberries and even pineapples, but what
many might not know is that the climate in the region’s
backyards is practically perfect for growing a
host of other delicious and less widely known fruits.
When it comes to exotic or rare fruit, Floridians are living
in a little slice of paradise for growing and sampling of jaboticaba,
lychee, loquat, mamey sapote, the giant jackfruit or
the delightfully delectably named chocolate pudding fruit.
And where might one learn how to grow your own
miracle fruit?
On the third Thursday of the month, Port St. Lucie Botanical
Gardens hosts a meeting of the Treasure Coast Rare Fruit
Club, a group of community members and visitors who are
interested in learning about growing and tasting the exotic
flavors that live among us.
One club member, Bobbi Spencer of Vero Beach, says her
love of growing things motivated her to attend a meeting of
the Palm Beach Rare Fruit Council. There, she met a woman
who shared her knowledge and introduced Spencer to a
variety of fruits.
“It just became addictive,” says Spencer, who continued
her quest to learn more about exotic fruits. “The Treasure
Coast Rare Fruit Club welcomes guests at our 7 p.m. meetings
every month, and there is never a charge for your first
meeting. We always have a fantastic tasting table, plant auction,
raffle and monthly educational program,” she says.
The annual membership for the organization starts at just
$20 a year, a small price for the chance to sample so many
new and exotic treats. >>
18 Port St. Lucie Magazine
TREASURE COAST RARE FRUIT CLUB
Members of the Treasure Coast Rare Fruit Club gather and generously share the fruits of their labors at an annual Taste of the Tropics Festival event.
Port St. Lucie gardener Zee Manzini grows bananas in her yard.