Growing up, I always knew this fruit as a Spanish lime. Then, a Jamaican friend came over and started calling them genips. A few years later, a Puerto Rican friend told me they were also called quenepas. Since then, I've also heard that they're called mamoncillos in other parts of the Caribbean. In Panama, I think they're called mamones. Wikipedia has a page with still more names.
Despite what I still call them, they're not limes at all. Actually, they're in the same family as lychees, which makes sense considering their similarly leathery skin. Beneath this green skin is a large seed coated in a slimy, peach colored flesh, which actually tastes a bit like a lime. If you happen to see them in a market, be sure to get fruit with unwrinkled, uncracked skin. The most common way of eating them is to remove the skin and suck the pulp from the seed. However, I've also heard of soaking the peeled fruit in rum and sugar to make a drink.
[Photo: Nick Vagnoni]
3-20-2008 @5:05PM Matt said... Did you find these anywhere in Portland, OR...I was living in Belize and would love to find some of these in the NW.
Reply
6-14-2008 @11:52AM Helen said... I live here in Belize City, Central America where you can find some of the sweetest "Mamoncillo" I eat them every summer by sml. bags, am sorry to hear that mosy of you ppl that have commented took so long to obtain it or in somes cases none at all...i wish i could send you guys some and then you guys can send me some lychee in return. I tasted that fruit once when i was younger ever since then i have been searching for it. It doesn't seem to be that common here in belize. anyone interested can call me at 501-206-2580. Helen Melendez
Reply
6-14-2008 @11:57AM Helen said... wow
Reply
4-13-2006 @6:28PM Will said... In the Dominican Republic they're called limoncillos. If you happen to find some, what your clothes because this will stain them.
Reply
4-27-2006 @3:39PM MaryJane Cooper said... I used to get Spanish Limes in Key West when I was a kid; does anyone know where to buy them in South Carolina? Thanks, MaryJane
Reply
10-15-2008 @2:21PM franky said... hi i too was raised in puerto rico, but moved from there= at the age of 7 i still remember this fruit and its wonderful taste. well since then i moved to milwaukee's south side were i was never able to find them (i should have asked the female above). now i live in california and heard that there might be a guatemalan store that could probably sell them. if anyone on here has relatives out here that might happen to know where this store is please let me now.
Reply
1-19-2009 @8:09PM Will Colón said... In Vieques island (about 5 miles east of Puerto Rico) They invented the "Bilí" wich is Rum, quenepas, sugar and vanilla. it is the favorite drink during the festivals in July.
Reply
7-07-2006 @12:47AM Rocio said... I have fond memories of growing up in San Juan, PR and enjoying the "Quenepas" during the summer. They are usually better in July and August. The best one's usually were the one's from the southern city of Ponce. Just make sure to wash the outside shell first with soap and water and to wear some clothes that you don't mind getting stained. Enjoy!! =)
Reply
4-25-2009 @10:01AM carlos said... como yo podria ordenar quenepas
Reply
8-11-2009 @7:27AM Renee said... I grew up in Guyana. My grandmother had this tree in her yard and we use to pick the fruit right off the balcony.We called it genip.I now live in Abu Dhabi and you can find it in the souks when it is in season. Also I lived in Mississauga,Canada and you can find it in any West Indian story. Great memories.
Reply
8-23-2009 @2:10PM Regina said... I get my spanish limes from the flea market in Jacksonville,Fl. They sell them $3 a basket. i love them.
Reply
10-13-2006 @4:15PM Edgar R. Acosta said... Like in Puerto Rico, they're also called "quenepas" in the Dominican Republic, but just in the South (in the rest of the country they're called limoncillos, which means little limes). They're wonderful! Too bad they're not exported.
Reply
11-15-2006 @7:57AM Alex said... I like Spanish limes
Reply
11-24-2006 @8:14PM Eddy Garcia said... I too used to eat the spanish limes in Key West. I was born there and lived most of my life there. I remember getting the best ones from Mr. Curry's house on Ashe st.
Reply
12-01-2006 @1:51AM Diane Leiws said... All my fathers side of the family are from Puerto Rico, I would spend every summer there in Mayaguez. My family is all gone now and I really would love to know how to order the quenepas and have them delivered to me here in North carolina.. anyone have any idea please contact me.
Reply
12-21-2006 @3:25PM Angel Echegoyen said... I got some at a flea market in Ft. Lauderdale this past summer.
They sell them by the box or pound
Reply
12-27-2006 @6:42PM Glynn Judge said... Growing up in the Panama Canal Zone we called them ginnips ( phonetic sp.). Suspect that is an americanization of the Jamaican genep , as many Jamaicans were imported to work on the canal. Ginnip season was looked forward to with great anticipation by all us kids . Wish I could find some nearby here in SW FL !!
Reply
1-31-2007 @1:28AM Deedee said... They sell these in New York and I love them but I haven't seen them in years.
Reply
6-18-2007 @1:40PM Ivelisse Velazquez said... hello i live in Miwaukee Wisconsin and I happened to go to a mexican grocery store and they had 2 lb of quenepas for a $1.49 and i went nut and bought some had everybody in my office try them hahahaha, i used to live en Peñuelas y naci en Ponce so me crie comiendo quenepas i love them, nadie sabia que era eso hazta los mexicanos de aqui.Y wisconsin es al lado de chicago por si no sabian. jajajaja
Reply
7-03-2007 @3:35PM maria said... I have searched all over South Carolina. I finally did find them in an oriental store on Decker Boulevard Columbia, SC
Reply