Kamias (Bilimbi / Cucumber Tree Fruit)  

A very sour green fruit that makes your cheeks pucker — but when sweetened or cooked, it adds bright flavor to many dishes.  

  • Kamias (kah-MEE-as) – Also known as bilimbi in other Southeast Asian regions.  
  • Raw kamias is tart and juicy, similar to green apple or lime. When salted or preserved, it turns tangy-sweet and adds crisp acidity to foods.  
  • It’s often dipped in rock salt or mixed into dishes like sinigang and paksiw for sourness. Some make jam or preserve it in syrup.  
  • Kamias fruit appears year-round, often in backyards and secondary growth areas.  
  • Kamias is rich in vitamin C and organic acids, which aid digestion and boost immune defense.