Fruit is often one of those foods that we plough into our mouths without taking the time to savour. Sure, we’ll comment on a crisp apple, a juicy peach and even a sweet strawberry but how often do we slow down, reach for a spoon and tickle our tastebuds with sensations to die for?

Perhaps you haven’t had the delightful experience of gently exhuming a cold, delectable teaspoon from between your lips. In its place a glob of fruit gently stirs the tastebuds, rendering them jelly-like as it meanders across the tongue and you speak phrases to yourself like, “Oooh…I’m in heaven.”

“What’s this to do with gardening?” you may be asking. Well, everything! The reason we garden is to enjoy the fruits of our labour [pun fully intended]. They are God’s reward for tending our trees, shrubs and plants and helping them grow so successfully. Their yield becomes our reward but unless you take the time to enjoy them, gardening can never truly be appreciated.

So, here are eight fruits that you can cut open and force a spoon into and let your tastebuds be the judge of your gardening efforts.

1. Kiwi-Fruit
   Also known as the Chinese Gooseberry the kiwi fruit is the best spoon-eating fruit. Many grocers now sell spoon-like tools with these fruit because they understand how delectable they are being eaten this way. Kiwifruit don’t have to be consumed when they’re mushy and are usually best when they are still semi-hard to the touch.
2. Pomegranates
   One of my favourite fruits the pomegranate is a bundle of edible seeds wrapped in a pliable jelly. They have a very distinctive flavour with a hint of sourness to enjoy and make really good-eating.
3. Passionfruit
   Probably the best fruit to eat with a spoon is the passionfruit. Similar to the pomegranate’s structure, a passionfruit has masses of seeds swirling inside their tough exterior and taste scrumptious straight from the vine at the end of a hot summer’s day. Some people prefer to chill these overnight before eating but it’s purely personal.
4. Grapefruit
   Often known as the breakfast fruit, grapefruit’s are best enjoyed halved horizontally and covered lightly covered with sugar. Left for 10 minutes before eating the sweet and sour flavours combine beautifully to orchestrate a taste sensation that is very refreshing. Diving into one without adding a little sweetness may force the inside of your cheeks to pucker with each spoonful.
5. Dragon Fruit
   You remember that dragon fruit you started growing at the back of your yard, well now it’s time to start consuming a few. This fruit’s soft, leathery texture makes an ideal fruit to eat with a spoon and the riper the better.
6. Feijoas (Guavas)
   Similar to kiwi fruit, the feijoa is best eaten with a spoon – especially the very ripe ones. Their outer casing provides a practical container for the juicy flesh inside. These, like passionfruit, are best devoured directly after picking but can also be chilled if preferred.
7. Melons
   It may be time to trade up to a bigger spoon if you’re about to enjoy any of the wonderful melons that grow during the warmer months. Watermelon, honeydew (canteloupes), champagne – they all make delightful eating with a spoon. Plus, it’s possible to enjoy the experience with at least one other person due to their size.
8. Custard Apples
   Now this fruit can really only be enjoyed once it’s very ripe, and once it is the only way to eat them is with a spoon. As their name suggests, the fruit becomes like custard as it ripens so scraping it out with a spoon is the only way to enjoy these.

Now that your tastebuds have been tickled it’s time to grab a few and start the experience. If none of them are growing in your garden at the moment then head off to your local nursery or plan to get one or two in the ground for next season. You’ll appreciate that you did.