Bamboo and Anona

Our friend, Roger, has lots of beautiful bamboo on his property in San Marcos, and he wants to get rid of some of it so he can make room to build a small worker's house. When Kevin heard Roger was giving it away, he jumped at the chance to collect some nice, big bamboo. He's thinking he can use it as fence posts. But first, he has to soak them in water for two to three weeks. Soaking them is a natural way to remove the starch... and it's important to remove the starch because insects are attracted to the starch and eat it. This is not good. Once insects get into the bamboo, the bamboo breaks down quickly and loses its strength. Within a year or two, they would need to be replaced. Because the pieces are so big, Kevin placed them in one of the ponds... one that has no fish. In a few weeks, Kevin will take them out and let them dry. I have no idea how we measure whether the starch has been completely removed. It's all experimental at this stage. We'll see what happens.

On another note, we were introduced to a new fruit called 'anona'. We were told it tastes like custard... well then, I couldn't pass up a chance to taste something that promises to taste so yummy. Once it's ripe, you just split it in two with your hands (no need of a knife). You eat the white flesh inside, but not the black seeds. I tried it. I can't say it tastes like custard... more like a very sweet pear, and it's delicious! I found the first bite a bit bland, then I took another bite and it grew on me, as though the taste became more pronounced with each next bite, A bit addictive, actually. It's nice to try more typical foods of the region and when I see it at the market I'll recognize it. That's always nice.

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