Akebi is a mysterious fruit that has a pretty purple hue. It's not a common fruit that one can find in any supermarket. The plant is native to the north of Japan, China and the Korean Peninsula. Because its flowers smell like chocolate, the plant is also called the chocolate vine.
Akebi's beautiful purple pod is edible and its translucent white flesh tastes soft and a bit sweet. In Akita Prefecture, Japan, people used akebi seeds to produce oil which has antiseptic properties. The fruit ripens in autumn, which makes it a symbol of the season in Japan.
Here are two photos of this strange fruit for you to take a look:
