TRIPHASIA TRIFOLIA First time tasting Limeberry in Vietnam! Such a surprise! 😮

We spotted these bright red berries with iridescent spots while walking along the canal by our homestay. The thorny shrubs were growing as trimmed hedges above a fence, which makes them pretty good at keeping out introducers (or attracting snacking bystanders?)

Our host said they are a very common plant here, easy to grow, and often given as gifts at New Years and other holidays. They are not usually eaten as a snack except by children (and wandering foreigners) but they are used in traditional medicine to treat coughs and respiratory illnesses, as well as a flavoring for alcohol. With a strong coca-cola flavor and punch of something like anise or cough syrup, I can see how these would be excellent soaked in rum or rice wine (or maybe just juiced with sugar cane).

Have you ever tried a limeberry? What do you call it in your country?

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