One of the highlight in our Thai adventure was the variety of the exotic fruits our taste buds had the pleasure to encounter. In addition to the most known tropical fruits, like pineapple, banana(although bananas are much smaller and less sweet in Thailand), mango,papaya,there are many fruits that I was introduced to in Thailand.
Litchi was the very first fruit I tasted in Chiang Mai, it was given to me by the receptionist at the hotel, it is sweet, refreshing and rich in vitamin C. We started seeing litchi all over Thailand after that, and we got to eat a lot of it, especially during our trek in Northern Thailand. Despite all the litchis we had, I seem to have failed to take a photo:( The Wikipedia link has one though).Among the fruits I know, grapes are probably the closest to litchis, but not that similar really. Litchis are bigger than grapes, the outside is a reddish somewhat thick cover, that is peeled before eating to reveal clear white flesh surrounding a brownish inedible rind. I drool just thinking of the moisture and sweetness of the litchis. Girasoli said that litchis are in Hawaii in September, and now that I think about it, I may have seen it on Maui before, (never tried though), I hope when it is in season I can afford to buy it on Maui.
There is also the famous durian; famous for its strong odor that is. Many people think it smells bad, but we really thought it smells like a pumpkin.We tasted it on our last day in Bangkok, and nope, I will not try it again. I think I dislike the texture more than the flavor. The fruit itself is large oval or round shape, looks very similar to Jackfruit, with a brownish green husk, and yellowish edible part that is very mushy and has a very strong smell that durian is forbidden in many hotels and public areas.
Rambutan is another tasty fruit, that belongs to same family as litchi. Personally, I like litchis better though. Rambutan has the same reddish exterior, except it is "hairy",which is what rambutan means in Indonesian .The edible part is again like the litchi: clear and moist(less moist than litchi I thought) flesh surrounding the inedible rind.Rambutan is also less sweet than litchi.
Another interesting and yummy fruit in Thailand is the mangosteen.When I first saw the mangosteens at the market, I thought they were small eggplants. They are purple with a green cap. The inside edible part is tangy,sweet and white. I really liked mangosteens,and sorry I forgot to take a photo, but the Wikipedia link has a good one.
Longan fruit is another one that we tried and liked. We were advised not to eat much of it, as large amounts cause diarrhea. Longan fruits are round yellow with a clear white flesh, wrapping a hard black seed(inedible), they are sweet and sticky. Longan in Chinese means "dragon eye" because it looks like an eyeball.
We ate many fruits in Thailand, some as is , some squeezed in juices and smoothies, and some cooked in soups or desserts. There was this one fruit that I kept wanting to try, and never got a chance to(or made a chance really), oh well, an excuse to return to Thailand. This fruit is called dragon fruit. I've seen it in Hawaii before, and I think in Palestine as well. I think it looks pretty.
Just a little taste of delicious Thailand!
Comments (13)
Hi Candi, great post. Looks like you had a nice variety of exotic fruits to pick from. I've had Litchi and I agree with you. They taste very good. Nice sweetness to it.
I enjoyed reading all about the different kinds of fruit that are available in Thailand. I liked the photo of the Durian with the line across it! :) Kudos to you for trying everything. The outside of the Rambutan looks really different too.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and photos with some of the flavors of Thailand!
Have a great day!
Posted by Kathy (trekcapri) | June 3, 2009 5:51 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 05:51
Great post! I love your photos and that "No Durian" sign is pretty funny. What fun to try all these new and exotic foods. The Rambutan are kinda freaky looking but really very beautiful.
Posted by Annie | June 3, 2009 7:30 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 07:30
Hi Candi,
Glad you enjoyed all the wonderful fruits in Thailand. I have never heard of longan fruit. Good to know about the warning!
I just saw an article this morning in the Honolulu advertiser on lychee: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090603/LIFE02/906030352&template=taste/Lychee+lovers+can+celebrate+fruit++surplus+harvest+at+Big+Isle+lodge
I remember September as a friend of mine's parents have a lychee tree and I always had some in September but I see from other articles that they start being ripe in July. I hope you can find them. They are pretty difficult to find in the stores. You seem to have to know someone although now and then I have seen them sold in stores. Maybe a farmer's market?
I still want to try that dragonfruit. Saw it before I knew how to eat it. After Marta's blog post, I have been searching for it to give it a try.
Posted by girasoli | June 3, 2009 10:54 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 10:54
I know I’ve seen many of these fruits at my local Asian market but have never tasted any of them. What interesting and exotic textures some of these fruits have! Love the dragon fruit; they look like Christmas ornaments.
Posted by María I. | June 3, 2009 11:40 AM
Posted on June 3, 2009 11:40
I imagined all kinds of tropical fruit. They look so beautiful and colorful with great names. I would expect a fruit named Durian to taste sweet and good. I guess I'd be in for a shock if you hadn't told me.
Posted by barb cabot | June 3, 2009 12:53 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 12:53
Very beautiful! I love the look of the dragon fruit.
I also am very impressed by the sign banning durian fruit -- I don't think I've ever seen a fruit ban before!
Posted by sandrac | June 3, 2009 7:43 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 19:43
I absolutely love the durian sign; my tropical fruit intake is not large, and I suspect it is because I really don't know what to do with them - loved the papayas and mangoes we had for breakfast last summer in Mexico.
Posted by Marcia | June 4, 2009 1:42 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 13:42
Great fruit pictures. Don't you just love the tastes. You should be able to find Lychees around. I've seen them in Asian markets here in Seattle. I've also tried the canned versions which are just like any canned fruit - not anything like the fresh - but they can be fun to try and make a refreshing dessert.
I didn't get to try a durian. It wasn't durian season yet in Malaysia so we didn't get a chance.
Posted by Marta | June 4, 2009 1:59 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 13:59
Thanks all for your comments.
Kathy, there are only few fruits that I dislike, so of course I had to try everything. Sometimes I wish I can just eat fruits for every meals.
Annie, when I first saw the Rambutan, I was not even sure how to eat the thing, I was glad to know we don't eat the hairy part:0
Girasoli, thanks for the article. I'll keep my eye out for litchis here on Maui. A friend at work said she bought litchis last year from the farmer's market for about 4.85/LBS. I am thinking a trip to Thailand might be cheaper?~smile~
She also said that they have longan sometimes here too.
Maria, I also love how the dragon fruits look. Very pretty, and they are also pretty inside.
Barb, yes sorry the durian. I've heard many people say it that you either love it or hate it. I think it might be an acquired taste too.
Sandra, yes, we saw many signs banning durian from public places,due to its strong odor.
Marcia, if I can afford fruits on Maui, I'll eat a ton, but alas, I have to budget.
I eat a lot of fruits, in fruit salads, in my plain yogurt, crushed with ice and milk as a smoothie, or if no time, just as is.
Marta, maybe you are lucky you did not try durian:)
I now have to keep my eyes open for these delicious fruits, although I know being on Maui, I may have to make a decisions between baying my student loans, or buying exotic fruits:)
Posted by candi | June 4, 2009 9:20 PM
Posted on June 4, 2009 21:20
Hey there everyone i was just introduceing myself here im a first time visitor who hopes to become a daily reader!
Posted by Clarturry | November 14, 2009 9:27 PM
Posted on November 14, 2009 21:27
Hey everyone just wanna say hello and introduce myself!
Posted by Gensteege | November 15, 2009 8:08 PM
Posted on November 15, 2009 20:08
Yes, there are some kinds of fruits that you can only find in east asian markets.Most of them are what we call "exotic".
Posted by Sam | August 11, 2010 2:20 AM
Posted on August 11, 2010 02:20
Great Post, I was tempted to mention about the Durian, belive me it's known as the "KING" of fruits. I won't blame you for not liking it for the first time I felt like puking the first time I ate it, but so many people just relish this fruit, so I tried once gain and believe me I'm an addict now, can never live without it! I've tried the Durian cake, ice cream, toffee, Drink, biscuits and they are all great! but not as great as the fruit though! Pls give it a try and believe me you'll thank me a million times, there is no fruit like the DURIAN :)
Posted by Steve | April 7, 2011 8:15 AM
Posted on April 7, 2011 08:15