Sampinit is probably the rarest and most unpopular fruit in the Philippines that you will only hear it from either the mountaineers who had already climb the abundant Mount Cristobal or the locals in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, where said mountain stand. In addition, the most popular search engines show only a few articles or posts talking up sampinit.
This fruit is only available in a short period, specifically during summer so it is kind of expensive compared to other tropical fruits. Plus, due to the way it is being harvested; it requires extra effort. Enduring the scorching heat of the sun and and getting past the thorny trees surrounding Mt. Cristobal are more than enough of that extra effort.
The locals prefer to gormandize this fruit straight from the bush which I also did when I ate some during our “take 5” on that part of the mountain where these wild raspberries sprout like grass in farms. According to our guide, sampinit is actually tastier when it is added with a bit of salt or when you let it sit on the salt for a few minutes. The reason is, the salt penetrating through its textured skin brings out more of that berry juices–slowly. The latter is a common way of eating sampinit in Laguna.
Sampinit tastes a bit sour like a ripe tamarind yet saccharine. It is smaller and more delicate compared to the commercially available raspberries.
I was fortunate I got a photo of this wild raspberry, which I now consider one of Mount Cristobal’s most precious treasures, last 06 March 2011 when I and my hiking buddies summited said mountain.
Update: “Weed No More: A New Breed of Wonder Fruit”
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STORIES OF THE WANDERING FEET & MIND 
I have not come across with this fruit. There’s the wild black berries in the Visayas. Rare and exotic texture. Cool color too.
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Salamat, kaibigan! This photo is actually what I consider my best photo so far.
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It looks beautiful – so glad you provided the information about it.
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I’m glad you liked the info and the picture then. Thank you, Jo! I appreciate that.
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Wonderful photo! I don’t usually think of fruit as being textured, but this wild raspberry sure has some great texture. Very good entry!
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Thanks for the compliment, thirdhandart! It made my day more colorful. Hehe …
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Beautiful picture. Thanks for sharing, never thought we have that…
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Thanks, bro! It’s always an honor to bring something fresh here, especially to my subscribers.
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you’re welcome
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great photo & info, this blog world is really big, I haven’t yet stumbled on this “weekly photo challenge” but it is good that you introduced me to blogging, I have to finish the “nursery” phase though… nice work Sony!
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The pleasure is mine, Jon. So, thank you and break a leg!
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What a nice color.I’m impressed with this fruite. Thank you for sharing rare plant.
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You are so welcome, cocomino! Just want to tell you that this photo is what I consider the best among the rest of what I got. That’s the reason why I was forced to like it myself. Hehe …
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How does it tastes bro?
Nice entry for the challenge huh by just looking I can tell it has rough surfaces..
I love the color, from the visible redness up to the fading greens…=)Nice..
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Tastes like a ripe tamarind. Red is the best color to capture when micro mode is to be used.
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looks wonderfully bright, ripe and richly textured. thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome, PK. Thanks for the comment!
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Great shot of such a rarity! Thank you fir the story behind it
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Thanks, Josette, for dropping by and commenting on this post!
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Yum, I bet it tastes as good as it looks.
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Yes, especially when you add a bit of salt to it as you mince … Thanks a lot, nuvofelt!
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Very beautiful photo. Thank you for writing the story so I can learn about it 🙂 judy
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You’re welcome. Thank you also for giving me a portion of your time by visiting my site, liking this entry, and for commenting on this post!
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Brilliant,a fruit? Oh, I thought it was a flower when I saw the picture.
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Maybe because vibrant colors are usually seen on flowers. It’s okay if you mistook my entry for something else. And yeah, I interpreted the word, textured, through a subject that is not usually associated with it. Still, I’m glad you like it.
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I get hungry!
greetings by
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/weekly-photo-challenge-textured/
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I was saddened for making you hungry but happy for your time spent here. Thank you 🙂
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Excellent Shot 🙂
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That coming from a professional photographer as shown by your pictures on your site makes me more than flattered. Thank you very much, Jake!
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very nice! i like the color! very vibrant!
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Thanks, Nelson! I’m glad to see a new face here …
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A very merry berry indeed! I was not familiar with this type of raspberry until now. It may be a bit sour, but it looks simply divine. I am currently envisioning myself on a tropical island enjoying this fruit. The palm trees are swaying in the breeze, the sun is shining, and the fruit is so amazing…
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Thanks for noticing that. I actually made this post sticky in relation to the CHRISTMAS SEASON. Don’t you think the colors are so “Christmas”?
I hope one day you’ll visit the Philippines to have a feel of a real tropical country just in case you haven’t been to that particular part of the globe.
The last part of your comment is captivating just like this photo to you. Makes me want to go back to the province and feel the breeze at the ricefield as the sun shines … That’s so country and I really like it!
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I would wholeheartedly agree that the colors are so Christmas. They are just so vibrant! Also, I would love to visit that part of the globe one day. The natural beauty, the people, and the culture fascinate me. Hope you get to enjoy your rice field journey soon. 🙂
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I always enjoy being there … Thank you, words … with purpose!
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First time ko marinig at makita yan sa picture! Nung una kala ko raspberry e. hehehe!thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome, Aney!
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sampinit? neberr heard.. hehe..
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Until today … Hehe … Thanks for the visit, MFR!
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its really a precious treasure, i have never seen a fruit like that before
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Thanks, didta7, for the nice adjective there! I appreciate that …
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Didn’t knew about this ’til this post. Awesome find. Glad to have stumbled upon this blog.
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It’s more fun in the Philippines! Hehe …
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great one!! i have not seen this fruit pa.. thanks for sharing! 😉
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You are welcome.
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I’ve never seen this fruit!
Wow!
Its really more fun in the Philippines
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You made my heart skip a bit, Zel Ram, with your kind words.
Plus, don’t forget how heavenly the taste of its jam.
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