EJADA

It is very interesting to learn about both known and little-known fruits. I hope you enjoy knowledge as much as I do. Now let’s see what we can learn about fruits that begin with the letter H.

🌴 What Is the Hala Fruit?

Scientific Name: Pandanus tectorius

Common Names: Hala fruit, Tahitian screwpine, beach pandan, seashore screw-pine

Appearance: Large, segmented fruit resembling a pineapple or exploding planet. Each segment (called a “key” or “cone”) is fibrous and can be chewed like sugarcane.

Flavor: Mildly sweet with hints of mango, sugarcane, and banana.

Texture: Fibrous, chewy, and juicy—often compared to sugarcane pulp.

🕰️ Origins and Discovery

The Hala fruit (Pandanus tectorius) was not named by a single individual, but rather acquired its name through centuries of Indigenous use and linguistic evolution across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

🌺 Who First Named the Hala Fruit?

Indigenous Naming: The name “Hala” comes from the Hawaiian language, where the tree is called “pū hala” and the fruit is simply “hala.” It reflects the deep cultural and ecological relationship Native Hawaiians have with the plant.

Scientific Classification: The species was formally named Pandanus tectorius by Sydney Parkinson, a botanical illustrator who accompanied Captain James Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific in the 18th century. The Latin name “tectorius” means “used for thatching,” referencing the traditional use of its leaves for roofing.

🧭 Why Was It Named “Hala”?

Cultural Significance: In Hawaiian culture, “hala” also means “to pass” or “to forgive,” and the fruit is symbolically associated with remembrance, transition, and spiritual cleansing.

Visual and Practical Identity: The name likely emerged from the plant’s distinctive appearance—its segmented, pineapple-like fruit—and its practical uses in weaving, medicine, and food.

Color Variants: Hawaiians used binomial naming for different types, such as:

Hala ‘ula – red fruit

Hala melemele – yellow fruit

🌿 Summary

Sources: Wikipedia on Pandanus tectorius-,

Gastro Obscura,

The Past and Future of Hala in Hawaii (PDF)

Native Range: Indigenous to South and Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Northern Australia, and widely across the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii.

Discovery: There is no single recorded “discovery” by a specific individual. The fruit has been known and used for centuries by Indigenous peoples of Oceania and Southeast Asia.

Cultural Roots: The name “Pandanus” is derived from the Malay word pandan. The tree and fruit have been integral to Pacific Islander life for generations.

🧺 Traditional and Modern Uses

🍽️ Culinary Uses

Raw Consumption: Chewed for its juice; the fibrous pulp is often discarded.

Cooked: Boiled with coconut, ground into paste, or used in jams and syrups.

Seeds: Sometimes roasted and eaten.

Juice: Extracted and consumed fresh or used in beverages.

🌿 First Health Uses of the Hala Fruit: A Cultural and Medicinal Legacy

Long before modern science caught up, the Hala fruit (Pandanus tectorius) was revered by Indigenous communities across the Pacific for its healing properties. Passed down through oral traditions and daily practice, its earliest uses were deeply rooted in holistic wellness:

🧬 Traditional Medicinal Benefits

he Hala fruit (Pandanus tectorius) is not only visually stunning but also nutritionally rich, offering a variety of essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health.

🧪 Vitamin Content of Hala Fruit

🧲 Mineral Content

🌿 Nutritional Highlights

Beta-Carotene: A precursor to vitamin A, giving the fruit its orange hue and antioxidant power.

Dietary Fiber: Promotes digestive health and satiety, making it a good choice for weight management.

Sources:

Fruits Wisdom

The Herb Prof

These uses reflect a deep understanding of the fruit’s nutritional profile and its role in sustaining health in coastal environments where resources were often limited but wisdom was abundant.

🧶 Cultural and Practical Uses

Weaving: Leaves are used to make mats, baskets, ropes, and even sails.

Symbolism: In Hawaiian culture, the fruit symbolizes prosperity and hospitality.

Leis: Dried fruit segments are used in traditional garlands, though fresh fruit ferments quickly and is avoided for this purpose.

🌿 Ecological and Botanical Notes

Tree Type: Dioecious (separate male and female trees); only females bear fruit.

Growth Time: Takes over 20 years to mature and produce fruit.

Habitat: Thrives in coastal, saline, and sandy environments; helps prevent erosion.

Availability of Hala Fruit in the U.S.

💬 “If you can find one, the benefits of trying a new fruit will be worth it.”

✅ Where You Might Find It:

Hawaii: Naturally grows in coastal areas and is part of traditional Hawaiian culture.

Florida: Some enthusiasts have successfully grown it in backyard gardens.

California & Pacific Northwest: Occasionally found at specialty farmers’ markets or ethnic grocery stores with Pacific Islander or Southeast Asian communities.

Online Retailers: Rarely available through exotic fruit suppliers or seasonal online markets, though freshness and shipping are major challenges.

🚫 Why It’s Hard to Find:

Not commercially cultivated: Most hala trees are wild or grown by hobbyists.

Takes 20+ years to mature: Only female trees bear fruit, and they take decades to produce.

Short shelf life: The fruit ferments quickly and doesn’t transport well.

Specific climate needs: Thrives only in tropical to subtropical coastal zones with well-drained, salty soil.

⚠️ Who Should Avoid or Limit Hala Fruit?

🧬 Additional Considerations

Fermentation risk: Overripe Hala fruit ferments quickly, which can cause digestive upset or alcohol-like effects if consumed in large quantities.

Not widely studied: Because it’s not commercially cultivated or widely consumed, clinical data is limited, so caution is advised for people with complex health conditions.

📚 Cited Reports on Hala Fruit

1. NetMeds Health Library (2025)

Title: Hala: Health Benefits, Skin Care Uses, And Delicious Recipes From This Tropical Superfruit

Highlights:

Discusses Hala’s use in traditional medicine for digestive health.

Notes its role in skin care, fiber content, and cultural symbolism.

Emphasizes its ecological role in coastal stabilization.

2. Healthy Focus (2018)

Title: 10 Great Benefits of Hala Fruit

Highlights:

Details anecdotal and traditional uses for digestive health, vitamin A deficiency, and stress relief.

Notes that while scientific research is limited, centuries of Indigenous use support its benefits.

Read the full article

3. The Herb Prof (2025)

Title: Hala Fruit: Discover Health Benefits and Recipes

Highlights:

Offers a breakdown of its vitamin A, C, potassium, and calcium content.

Describes its culinary uses, symbolism in Hawaiian culture, and textural uniqueness.

Read the full article

4. Fruits Wisdom (2024)

Title: Hala Fruit Nutritional Facts and Worldwide Production

Highlights:

Provides data on global production, especially in Thailand and Indonesia.

Emphasizes its economic and nutritional value.

Explore the report

🌺 Final Thoughts: A Fruit Worth Discovering

The Hala fruit is more than just a tropical curiosity — it’s a vibrant symbol of cultural resilience, ecological harmony, and nutritional wisdom. From its ancient medicinal uses to its modern-day rarity, Hala invites us to reconnect with the land, listen to Indigenous knowledge, and embrace the unfamiliar.

“If you can find one, the benefits of trying a new fruit will be worth it.”

EJADA Reflections: Whether you’re exploring it for its health benefits, culinary intrigue, or cultural richness, Hala fruit reminds us that nature’s most extraordinary gifts often grow quietly along the edges of the world.