A few years ago, Noni was all the rage. Everyone was buying and drinking the juice for its health benefits. When I returned to Jamaica on vacation during the heights of its popularity, a friend pointed it out to me — I had no idea that it grew wild here. Locally, it’s known as “Duppy Soursop.”
In Jamaica, a duppy is a ghost and since the Noni does look a little like a soursop, another tropical fruit, but in a weird and unusual way. It stands to reason that if it looks like a soursop, something people are familiar with but is weird or strange, it must belong to the other world, hence duppy soursop.
Noni is said to contain nutrients such Vitamins A and C, niacin, iron and potassium. Like in other countries where it’s grown, in Jamaica, the Noni fruit and its juice, leaves and root are used for a variety of ailments from diabetes to menstrual cramps.
This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday series. Be sure to check out other photo and story entries on their website!
This post reminded me of the superstitious (?) nature of some cultures. Our modern culture has got rid of all that type of thinking.
I work in a team where all of the other members are Aboriginal, and there is a lot of talk of spirits, almost on a daily basis.
Asian people here love soursop, especially the Vietnamese, but it’s not widely available.
I’m enjoying your posts from Jamaica, it feels homely.
Too bad about the soursop. I saw one the other day on a tree at my cousin’s place but I didn’t have my camera.
It’s interesting the things people are superstitious about, but ghosts and spirits are probably the most common.
Thanks Narelle, I feel homely. I’m seeing things with different eyes.
I remember soursop. I always enjoyed eating it… That Noni sounds interesting and if it cures all kinds of ills then hurray! 🙂
Please add me to your subscription list as I am back to square one an not getting any of your posts… This is so strange as I’ve tried a few times to re-subscribe. 🙂
I saw one at my cousin’s place but didn’t have my camera. I’m still waiting to get some – love, love, love soursop. We also have something we call sweetsop – smaller with seeds — but I’m sure it’s called something else.
Yeah, that Noni is a cure all. I’ve yet to try it though.
I’ll work on your subscription – hopefully we can get it sorted out finally!
Hey ho Marcia
Me too! I’ve tried to subscribe several times with different email addresses with no luck. Can you do something back office so I can get emails when you post?
Glad you told me. Elizabeth’s been having the same problem. Will check what Feedburner’s up to. It’s frustrating as I can’t figure out what’s wrong.
Will keep trying. Thanks for letting me know, Narelle.
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Thank you and thanks for visiting and subscribing.