Cas: The Tart and Nutritious Costa Rican Fruit

Living in Costa Rica has been an amazing experience for my family and me. We traded the busy city life in America for the peaceful countryside of Costa Rica, and it has brought us so much happiness. One of the best things about our new home is the abundance of fresh fruit. Among all the delicious options, there’s one fruit that we absolutely love: cas, also known as Psidium friedrichsthalianum.

Before I tell you about cas, let me mention the different types of guava that also grow on our property. My kids and I really enjoy them, although sometimes they can be too sweet. And once they’re ripe, they tend to attract worms, which isn’t very appealing.

The cas tree looks similar to a guava tree, but the fruit is different. When it’s not ripe, cas is green, but when it’s fully ripe, it turns a beautiful yellow color. But don’t let its appearance fool you – cas is incredibly tart, like a lemon, with a hint of guava flavor. I love eating them straight from the tree, but they can be too sour for some people.

The cas tree, Psidium friedrichsthalianum, belongs to the same family as guava, eucalyptus, and clove trees. It’s native to Central and South America and is commonly found in the lowland and mountainous areas of Costa Rica. Cas trees are evergreen and can grow up to 20 feet tall. They have dark green, shiny leaves and…