StreetFruit: Loquats

There is a surprising variety of free fruit available in Los Angeles, where I live. Lots of fruit trees grow in parks, in back yards overhanging alleys, and other places where the public may get a free snack. An organization called fallen fruit http://www.fallenfruit.org/index.html which asserts that fruit growing in, or overhanging an alley, street, or sidewalk is in public space and may be picked by the public. I don't know what the law says, but that sounds like good common sense to me.

Because of L.A.'s climate some of the street fruit here is more unusual than what you can buy in stores. Like the loquat. Loquats grow well in California, but they are still relatively uncommon. They don't keep well, and they're a bit difficult to eat, so you won't find them in stores, at least not in the U.S. I have seen them at farmers markets and at fruit stands in Europe.

Loquats have a nice refreshing taste. They tend to be juicy and wet, although the thin flesh relative to the large pit means that you never seem to get a satisfying mouthful. The flavor is like a very mild apricot crossed with a longan.

Here's a tree on 3rd St. in L.A. with plenty of fruit hanging over the sidewalk.