Craboo Ice Cream

The Craboo Tree

Belizean "Ice Cream" - Craboo, Rum & Raisin and Strawberry

Ever heard of Craboo Ice Cream?  Neither had we, but we found some Craboo Ice Cream in Belize.  The Craboo tree, also none as "Nance" is native to both Central and South America.  It is also found in Cuba and most of the Eastern Caribbean.  Ice Cream, jams and even wine can be made out of the craboo fruit.

Craboo trees have elliptical shaped leaves and bunches of tiny, vibrant orange, yellow and red flowers that bloom from May through June in Belize.  They can grow as high as 10 meters and are found from Corozal to Punta Gorda.  The small round yellow fruit is approximately 8 to 12 centimeters wide and are generally ready in July or August.  There are several different varieties of craboo and some fruit are tiny and bitter, while others are large and sweet.  Most Belizeans like them mashed with milk, but you can eat them right off the ground.  The fruits are rich in calcium and vitamin C.

The craboo wood has a very pleasant odor which some people use for smoking meats, the leaves are the most commonly used as a tea to treat diarrhea and dysentery.  Some use the pulverized bark for gum disease and as an antidote for snakebites.