The new year is just around the corner! This means that baskets of round fruits will soon be adorning the dining tables of Filipino homes.
Aside from wearing clothes with polka dots on New Year’s eve, Filipinos believe that putting 12 (sometimes 13) round fruits on the table will bring their household good luck, prosperity, and good health for the entire year.
The round shape is said to symbolize coins or money, while the number 12 represents the total number of months in a year.
To carry on the tradition, here are some circular fruits to serve and enjoy with your family during your midnight feast.
If you want something nutritious but tasty, add apples (Malus domestica) to your fruit list.
Apples are farmed and consumed on a global scale for their health benefits, which, as the saying goes, can keep the doctors away.
As mentioned on the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's website, apples are great sources of vitamin C, phytochemicals, and fiber.
Read: Apples grow on an agriculture student’s farm in Davao del Sur
Caimito, or star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito), is a tree native to the West Indies and Central America. Its round, green or purple fruits are in season in January. It’s the perfect time to savor their sweet and creamy flavor as the new year begins.
Read: Fruiting caimito in a container
In the Philippines, grapes are frequently included in the 12 fruits of New Year's eve. Grapes (Vitis vinifera) are round and can go well with other spherical fruits when displayed. Should you wish to have your fruits in assorted colors, grapes also come in colors green, red, and yellow.
Read: Growing grapes and strawberries in the city
One local citrus fruit that you can buy or grow is dalanghita (Citrus reticulata). Dalanghita fruits are round with green peels and can be juiced to treat coughs and colds.
Read: 10 local fruits that look alike but are different
Don't forget to include lanzones in your fruit basket! Lanzones (Lansium domesticum) is also called langsat. It is not only tasty when ripe, but it is also brimming with benefits. It is high in protein, calcium, fiber, potassium, and phosphorus.
Read: Widow reaps a bumper harvest of longkong
Make the table more vibrant by adding oranges (Citrus sinensis). This is another source of vitamin C and fiber.
Read: The Spanish city of Seville is turning leftover oranges into electricity
Go for rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) for a unique twist to your list of fruits. This hairy crop can be eaten fresh or added to smoothies, cocktails, and fruit salad.
Read: Rambutan grows well in Ilocos Sur
Complete your fruit table with a watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). This fruit is big and round enough to symbolize a coin, and hopefully, it brings your family abundance and success throughout the year.
Read: Watermelon production guide
As the fruit hunt begins, we also hope you choose to patronize local fruits farmed by local farmers. Let us lift each other up and show our support for farmers this holiday season!