The about fist-sized, white fruits of noni look innocent as long as they hang on the tree. But there is a good reason why picking up and disposing of fallen fruit with gloves on is one of the first activities of the gardeners in the greenhouse: Ripe fruit that has been loosened from the tree develops a terrible stench within a few hours, reminiscent of a mixture of vomit, decomposition and cheese. The skin of the fruits becomes glassy. The English common names “cheese fruit” and “starvation fruit” are certainly due to the unpleasant smell.

Although the noni not only smells bad but also tastes bitter, the ripe fruits are processed into fruit juice (with sugar) and used in pastries, are found cooked in stews or are even eaten raw, then sometimes salted. The juice is also used as a marinade or sauce for bush food. In India the unripe fruit is more often used in curries. In Thailand, noni fruits can be part of Som Tam (green papaya salad). The roasted seeds, leaves and shoots are also edible.

• Edible Fruits Seeds
• Also edible Leaves
• Type of Fruit Aggregated drupelet
• Culinary Group Tropical fruits Famine food
• Taste bitter cheesy
• Trivial Names Noni, Indischer Maulbeerstrauch, Indischer Maulbeerbaum, Great morinda, Starvation fruit, Indian mulberry, Beach mulberry, Cheese fruit, Nono, Pomme-chien, Luk-yo
• Size 8 cm
• Taxonomy Rubiaceae (madder family) Morinda citrifolia
• Origin Australia (Map)
• Locality Gewächshaus für tropische Nutzpflanzen Witzenhausen (KASSE) 2019