Tungi Spirit

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Tungi Spirit is the name given to a distilled product made in Saint Helena from the fruit of the prickly or cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica fruit).

[edit] Terminology

Tungi is the local St Helenian name for the prickly or cactus pear.

[edit] Usage

Three principal varieties of tungi grow on Saint Helena, but only two are used in the production of Tungi spirit. These are both examples of the largest fruit grown - the 'English' (or yellow) fruit and the 'Maderia' (or large red) fruit. The small 'Spiny Red' tungi fruits are not normally used for distillation, despite remaining in season for almost 8 months of the year. By comparison with the large varieties, their juice content is low.