Didn't Know Jeju Was Growing More Than Citrus? Subtropical Fruit Farms Are Said to Be Sprouting Up
Mention Jeju, and citrus is probably the first thing that comes to mind — but lately, stories about fruit other than citrus have started making the rounds on the island. Passion fruit and bananas, to name a couple. These are fruits once known to grow only in much warmer regions far south of here, but word has been spreading that more farms on Jeju are now trying their hand at growing them. Exactly how many farms, where, or how much they're growing — those specific numbers are something I'd rather be careful about stating. Still, the idea that Jeju's fruit landscape is gradually shifting is something that comes up consistently across different sources. Today, let's look at why subtropical fruit keeps coming up whenever people talk about what might come after citrus.
Have You Heard Jeju's Climate Is Gradually Turning Subtropical?
Jeju has always been known for warmer weather than the mainland, but in recent years, there's been growing talk that the climate here has been warming even further. Plenty of people are said to describe winters feeling shorter and milder than before, and summers feeling longer and more humid. This shift is said to be why Jeju's climate is described as edging closer to subtropical, and within that shift, crops once hard to imagine growing here are said to be quietly taking root on the island one by one. Exact figures — how many degrees things have risen, or how much has changed over how many years — are something I'd rather not state flatly here, so I'll just pass along that this kind of shift is said to be happening.
Passion fruit is the fruit making a name for itself amid this shift. It's said to have a deep purple or yellowish skin, and an unusual way of being eaten — sliced in half and scooped out, flesh and seeds together, with a spoon. Known for its strong sweet-and-sour flavor, it's said to be eaten as is, or used to top yogurt and shaved ice, or blended into ades. Originally known as a tropical fruit native to Central and South America, it's said to suit Jeju's summer climate well enough that a growing number of farms have started raising it under cover. It's hard to pin down exactly how many places are growing it or by what method, but the idea of passion fruit being grown on Jeju itself no longer sounds unfamiliar.
I was surprised to hear a fruit this sweet and tart is now growing on an island I only ever associated with citrus.
— 🍊 GYULIPassion Fruit Isn't the Only Subtropical Fruit Worth Watching, Either
Beyond passion fruit, there are said to be other subtropical fruits being tried out on Jeju. Bananas are a notable example — once considered a special greenhouse crop, stories of small-scale banana growing on the island are said to come up more often these days. Mango and dragon fruit are names that surface too, though they're said to still be far from as common as citrus. Exactly how many farms are growing these fruits, or how large the harvests are, is something that's said to vary year to year, so I'd rather not state numbers with confidence. Still, the sense that Jeju's fruit farming — once resting almost entirely on citrus — is gradually diversifying comes through consistently across different stories.
Since these subtropical fruits are still mostly described as being in an early stage of cultivation, they're not something you're said to run into easily no matter where you go on Jeju. That said, local cafes and dessert shops around Jeju City are said to occasionally feature passion fruit ades, shaved ice, or cakes on their menus. Traditional markets like Dongmun Market are also said to see these fruits make brief appearances depending on the season. Rather than pointing you to one particular shop or farm, I'd just say — if you spot a menu using these fruits while traveling around Jeju, it's worth giving it a try. It may not feel as familiar as citrus, but knowing it grew right here on Jeju is likely to make it taste a little different.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
Subtropical fruit is said to still have a much shorter growing history and smaller scale compared to citrus, so the amount available and the price can vary quite a bit depending on the season. If you happen to come across it while traveling, it's worth enjoying the moment — just keep in mind it's not something you can easily find everywhere. Specific details about which farms grow it or where it's sold can keep changing, so rather than pointing to one particular place here, I'd recommend seeking it out yourself at local markets and cafes while you're on Jeju.
The idea that Jeju's fruit landscape is shifting along with its climate feels, in a way, similar to how citrus itself came to represent the island. Citrus, too, is said not to have been Jeju's signature fruit from the very start — it became that name over time. Passion fruit and the other subtropical fruits may feel unfamiliar right now, but given enough time, they could end up becoming another face of Jeju.
GYULI's Tip · A passion fruit is said to be a sign it's ripe once its skin turns wrinkled. If you'd like to tone down the tartness a bit, drizzling on a little honey or sugar is also worth trying.
Jeju, once remembered almost entirely for citrus, seems to be quietly making room for a different fruit story these days. It's not as familiar as citrus just yet, but if you come across a menu featuring passion fruit or banana while traveling around Jeju, giving it a light try could turn out to be a good experience. A few years from now, these fruits might just come up naturally whenever people talk about Jeju.