Meerkat Prompts: Favourite Fruit
It would incredibly easy for me to say banana, in answer to this prompt. Ever since I was a cub, I have loved bananas. They work well on their own, and they work well in sandwiches, and they work well in desserts (indeed, a banana split, with generous layers of cream and ice cream, is a thing of simple beauty). My appreciation of the humble banana cannot be overstated. However, it is conceivable – even if it’s hard to admit to myself – that there may be other fruits that compete with the banana.
Mangoes have a certain semi-sweet flavour that I cannot get enough of. A ripe piece of mango is glorious. Mangoes work wonderfully in smoothies (as do bananas, to be fair). I am intrigued to say there is a little bit of earthiness with mangoes, a tang to them that bananas don’t have. They can certainly threaten the banana’s status for me personally.
Are there other possible choices? You bet. I don’t have them very often, but kiwis are also quite incredible. The hairy exterior will give way to juicy, sharp green flesh, which is hungrily devoured. The strawberry is comparatively humble, but works well standalone, or via smoothies. Blackcurrants are quite sharp on their own, but in the form of a drink they are lovely. Blackberries are nice too, and I am fortunate that they can be found growing all around me.
Then we get to the peach.
Peaches, and their related companions, the nectarines, are among the juiciest of all fruits, bursting with a sweet flavour that I adore. Peaches are usually slightly furry, whereas nectarines have a smooth skin, but both are wonderful, especially on a summer’s day. A peach tea is an amazingly refreshing beverage too.
So many choices. So much to appreciate. Can I pick a preference?
I think, in the end, I have to call this a tie, between the brilliant banana, and the magnificent mango. I am also now hungry.
