A Sweet Surprise in Belmopan: Why We Finally Said Yes to Soursop
I have to be honest with you —- as I stood in line for a lunch buffet in Belmopan, Belize, looking at the menu of drinks on the wall, I was hesitating. There is always that moment when you are traveling where you have to decide between the safe, familiar choice (a Coke or a standard iced tea) and the local specialty that you can’t quite identify.
On this particular humid afternoon, the local option was something called "Soursop juice."
Now, the name alone gave me pause. "Sour" doesn't exactly scream "refreshing beverage" when you are wilting in the Central American heat. Plus, when I glanced at the counter where preparation was being done, I saw a thick, white, milky liquid in a mason jar. Was it dairy? Was it yogurt? I was worried it might be too heavy for a hot day, or worse, that it might settle poorly in my stomach. It definitely looked, well, a little bit "iffy."
On this particular humid afternoon, the local option was something called "Soursop juice."
Now, the name alone gave me pause. "Sour" doesn't exactly scream "refreshing beverage" when you are wilting in the Central American heat. Plus, when I glanced at the counter where preparation was being done, I saw a thick, white, milky liquid in a mason jar. Was it dairy? Was it yogurt? I was worried it might be too heavy for a hot day, or worse, that it might settle poorly in my stomach. It definitely looked, well, a little bit "iffy."
Fortunately, friends we were with—saw my hesitation. They practically guaranteed us that we would like it, insisting that despite the creamy look, it was incredibly refreshing. They spoke with that genuine warmth and certainty that makes you feel like you're missing out on a secret if you say no.
So, trusting their guidance, I took the leap.
When the mason jars arrived, filled with ice and that opaque white liquid, I took a tentative sip. I was completely wrong to be worried. It wasn't heavy or cloying like milk at all. It was cool, crisp, and had a fascinating texture—almost like a thin smoothie or a pear juice. The flavor was the real shocker; it was a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, completely unlike the "sour" warning in its name.
So, trusting their guidance, I took the leap.
When the mason jars arrived, filled with ice and that opaque white liquid, I took a tentative sip. I was completely wrong to be worried. It wasn't heavy or cloying like milk at all. It was cool, crisp, and had a fascinating texture—almost like a thin smoothie or a pear juice. The flavor was the real shocker; it was a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, completely unlike the "sour" warning in its name.
If you haven't encountered it before, Soursop (also known as Guanabana in many Spanish-speaking countries) is a large, spiky green fruit that looks a bit prehistoric on the outside. Inside, however, is a soft, white, fibrous pulp that is juiced to make this drink.
Flavor-wise, people often describe it as a combination of strawberry and pineapple, with sour citrus notes underneath and a creamy flavor reminiscent of coconut or banana. It is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a surprisingly healthy way to cool down.
If you are curious to see what the actual fruit looks like before it ends up in the glass, you can check out a full description here: What is Soursop?
Flavor-wise, people often describe it as a combination of strawberry and pineapple, with sour citrus notes underneath and a creamy flavor reminiscent of coconut or banana. It is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a surprisingly healthy way to cool down.
If you are curious to see what the actual fruit looks like before it ends up in the glass, you can check out a full description here: What is Soursop?
I was so glad I listened to that recommendation in Belmopan. It’s a good reminder for all of us: sometimes the things that look the most unfamiliar end up being the highlights of the trip.
If you ever find yourself in Belize—or anywhere in the tropics—and see Soursop on the menu, do yourself a favor and order it. Don't let the name or the milky texture fool you; it might just become your new favorite drink.
If you ever find yourself in Belize—or anywhere in the tropics—and see Soursop on the menu, do yourself a favor and order it. Don't let the name or the milky texture fool you; it might just become your new favorite drink.
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