11 Poisonous Fruits That Look Scrumptious

7) Cherimoya

​Cherimoya is a scaly green oval fruit that can grow to about the size of a grapefruit and is very hard to cut open when unripe. Famous author Mark Twain called the cherimoya “the most delicious fruit known to man.” The inside of the cherimoya is soft and whitish in color. The scent of a ripened cherimoya has been described as anything from sherbet, to bubble gum, to Fruit Loops. The taste has been described as a mix of banana, strawberry and pineapple. This fruit can be grown in numerous places in the world and is sometimes called the custard apple. If the seeds are chewed and broken open, they are poisonous and when crushed open can be used as an insecticide. The outer bark can induce paralysis if injected.

8) Titty Fruit

​Titty Fruit originated in South America. These poisonous bright yellow-orange fruits grow in the shape of a cow’s udder. They are also called nipple fruit and udder fruit. The Titty Fruit is an odd relative to the tomato and a mutation of the potato. Titty fruit is sometimes used for medicinal purposes such a curing athletes foot and restlessness and is also used as a detergent. They might look pretty tempting, but don’t make the mistake of eating one!

9) Bittersweet Nightshade

​Bittersweet Nightshade is lovely with its vibrant red berries. These berries are very poisonous. In the state of Washington, this plant cannot be purchased since it is on the state noxious weeds list. In some instances, the dried stems of solanum dulcamara, also called bittersweet nightshade, are used for low dosage tea to treat obesity, sluggish liver and maladies of the skin. Other plants in the “deadly nightshade” family include tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant. All of these are prone to having toxic parts. Mild symptoms of poisoning can range from headaches to vomiting. Large doses can cause difficulty in breathing or kidney failure. In some cases, an “overdose” of nightshade fruits can even cause death. When you see bittersweet nightshade growing, be sure to think twice before popping a bright berry in your mouth.

10) Almonds

​Almonds are known as the “gourmet nut.” The tasty almond is a seed, not a nut. Like seeds from the following fruits, apricot, peach, plum, apple, cherries and quince, almonds contain amygdalin, which can chemically change to cyanide in the body. There are sweet almonds and bitter almonds used throughout the world to flavor foods and pastries. The bitter almond must be heated, or pasteurized, to kill off the deadly poison contained within them. Properly prepared with the bacteria and poisons removed, almonds are a great source of protein and are high in vitamin E, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. Almond extract is often made from apricot stones as opposed to a true extract from almonds. If you love to eat almonds, go forth and chow down…just remember not to go overboard.

11) Ackee

​Ackee is a fruit found many places across the globe but is most associated with Jamaica. In fact, Jamaicans use the ackee like a meat in meals. Ackee and saltfish, a popular breakfast food in Jamaica, have many nutritional benefits. The entire fruit of the ackee is not edible, only the fleshy yellow part. The three large black seeds and bright red pod are thrown out. Before picking an ackee off the tree, the pod should be allowed to fully ripen. When ripe, the ackee will turn red on the outside and open naturally on the tree. There are other preparations required before cooking with this fruit, such as boiling, but a person should never consume an ackee that is not fully ripe. The outer skin and inner fleshy fruit is poisonous and will cause a person’s blood sugar to go crazy a couple hours after eating the ackee. It may look tempting, but exercise caution before eating the ackee. Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know becomes ill. The ackee can, and has, caused death.