these are slices of 蓮霧 (bell fruit, wax/rose/java/water apple), one of my very favorite fruits. the last time i had it was in Taipei circa 1997. it’s got a crisp, juicy texture and a very fresh taste with a tinge of sweetness. i looked everywhere for 蓮霧 in Chicago but couldn’t find any. i was told later that it’s near impossible to find outside of Asia so i gave up for good. all hope was abandoned, all was lost.

until today :)

my cousin’s friend was at a local (here in Toronto) Chinese supermarket earlier in the day and reported that she had encountered curious bell-shaped fruit that she didn’t recognize. my ears immediately perked and off we went.

awesome.