Key Lime and Ambarella Juice

Key Lime and Ambarella Juice.

Key lime and ambarella juice is a symphony of flavours: the prominent tartness of the ambarella, the sourness of the key lime juice and the sweetness of the sugar all bound and amplified by a tiny pinch of salt. Lack of any of these flavours and the juice falls flat, but it is a versatile juice all the same. Adjust the amount of sugar as necessary.

Ambarella, and its 20 other different names.

Spondias dulcis, ambarella, (and its alternative binomial, Spondias cytherea, Malay apple), or golden apple, is an equatorial or tropical tree, with edible fruit containing a fibrous pit. It is known by many names in various regions, including pomme cythere in Trinidad and Tobago, June plum in Bermuda and Jamaica, juplon in Costa Rica, jobo indio in Venezuela, caja-manga in Brazil, and quả cóc in Vietnam, and Kedondong in Indonesia. Around here in Malaysia, we usually call it umbra (short of Ambarella), the small, green and tart fruit that is uniquely refreshing with its sourness.

Recipe for Key Lime and Ambarella Juice
Ingredients
10 to 15 ambarellas, clean and chopped
2 to 3 tablespoon lime juice (from about 2 to 3 key limes)
1/3 cup to 1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 cups water
Slices of key lime and ambarella for decoration
A pinch of salt

Direction

1. To make simple sugar syrup: In a small saucepan bring to a boil the sugar, and one cup of water. Once the sugar is dissolved (which it should be by the time the water boils), remove from heat and let cool for for a few minutes.
2. Juice the ambarella. Gradually add 1 to 1 1/2 cups water along with the juice. Strain juice into a wide-mouthed serving container. Add 1/2 the simple sugar syrup, key lime juice, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Taste for sour/sweet balance. If too sour, add more sugar syrup.
3. Chill, or serve immediately over ice.

Umbra juice is as common as apple, orange and watermelon juice in this part of the world. MommyC and DaddyS usually love their umbra juice with a pickled salted plum, JBoy likes it straight-up and BlurSis usually had it watered down with sugar. Regardless of how it is served, umbra juice holds a special place in our family. So, when  Louise, the lovely lady behind Months of Edible Celebration is hosting an on-line picnic called "The Picnic Game", I thought of bringing a jug of icy cold Key Lime and Ambarella Juice to share with her the other lovely bloggers as well.

Louise will do a round-up on 1st July of all the picnic goodies that everyone has brought. Meanwhile let's take a look at what we are bringing for our picnic ...


I'm going for a picnic and I'm bringing ...

A - Artichokes Steamed and Dressed with Mayonnaise

B - Baked Beans

C - Cauliflower Tabbouleh

D - Dunkin' Donuts ~ With Maple syrup & Honey Frosting

E - Eggplant Casserole

F - Frosty Summer Salad with Cranberry, Pineapple & Beets

G - Goat Cheese Mixed green Salad with Cocoa Nibs

H - Halibut and Salsa Verde

I - Iced Coffee Two Ways

J - Jubilee Sandwich

K - Key Lime and Ambarella Juice

L - Limoncello Biscotti

M - Mini Meringue Kisses

N - Nougat Brownies

O - Ozark Pudding

P - Paletas de Chabacano y Manzanilla

Q - Quinoa Salad

R - Raspberries and Pears Cobbler Pie

S - Strawberry & Kiwi Chocolate Tart

T - Thai Fish Cakes in Pita Pockets

U - Udon salad with honey sesame lime dressing

V - Vegetable Salad with Lime Dressing

W - Watermelon With Fresh Mint and Lime

X - Xim Xim de Galinha

Y - Yam Bake

Z - Zuchinni & Pineapple Bread and Zucchini Many Ways

This recipe is also linked to:
Meatless Monday
Full Plate Thursday