Exotic fruits of southeast asia. Exotic fruits of Asia: photos, names, descriptions Fruit Southeast Asia tamarin

Southeast Asia is home to some very exotic, sometimes funny-looking fruits. Many tourists, passing by fruit stalls, only enjoy the bright colors and excellent view of these products, but do not dare to try them, because they simply do not know what to expect. Here we take a look at nine of Southeast Asia's most popular fruits, explaining their origin, taste, pricing, and advice on where and when to buy them.

Durian peel has an unpleasant odor.

This is a strong-smelling fruit, enclosed in a frightening prickly shell. You can either love it or hate it. The edible part of the durian is soft, yellow, sweet with a rich, custard-like flavor reminiscent of pineapple, banana, vanilla, mango, and overripe papaya. The peel has a very disgusting smell. Someone may have an association with decaying flesh, rotten onions or eggs, a toilet, or dirty socks. One Englishman wrote that this unique aroma is similar to a mixture of blue cheese and herring, which is eaten over an open sewer.

Durian grows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Borneo. Four hundred years ago, there was a lively durian trade between Lower and Upper Burma (Myanmar), because the fruit was very much appreciated at the royal court.

Purchase Features

Durian is commonly sold on roadsides in fruit stands. The pulp is removed from the prickly shell and wrapped in cling film. The fruit should not be hard or excessively soft. Slightly softer to the touch than a ripe mango, but not as soft as a pudding. Durian season is March-July. It is the most expensive fruit in Southeast Asia.

The nutritional value

Durian is famous for its high sugar and fat content. Therefore, residents of Southeast Asia are not advised to eat it for those who are on a diet. But in fact, durian is rich in healthy fats. It perfectly cleanses the blood, improves mood, relieves depression and anxiety, and treats insomnia. In Asia, it is considered an aphrodisiac. In addition, due to the high protein content, durian is eaten in order to build muscle mass.

Rose apple (Pink apple)

The rose apple is pear shaped and has a light rose scent.

A rose apple is sweeter than an ordinary apple. It has the shape of a pear. The peel is usually pink-red, shiny. Ripe fruits are crispy and juicy. They taste a bit sweet, vaguely reminiscent of an apple, and have a light rose scent. The rose apple is very refreshing and quenches thirst.

The fruit is believed to be native to the East Indies and Malaysia, but the rose apple has successfully taken root and is grown in many parts of Southeast Asia and India.

Purchase Features

The rose apple season can start early, even from January. It ends in July. Most often, the fruit can be found already cut in roadside shops. When purchasing a rose apple, pay attention that there are no dark spots on it.

The nutritional value

This fruit is very useful for people with diabetes, as scientists believe it has a positive effect on the pancreas by blocking the conversion of starch into sugar. In addition, there are cases when the rose apple helped with diarrhea, treated infertility in women, and also improved liver function.

Custard apple (Cream apple)

Cream apple pulp tastes like vanilla cream.

The fruit is covered with a thick green scaly peel. Inside, there is a thick pulp of light creamy color, which tastes like vanilla cream with light apple notes. In addition, black smooth seeds are necessarily located inside the cream apple.

There are different assumptions about what is the birthplace of this fruit. However, no one can say for sure. The fruit grows in many tropical regions of Central and South America, in Mexico, Bermuda and the Bahamas. The cream apple is also widespread in India. Its fruits are very popular here, they can be found in every market. True, they are eaten only by representatives of the lower classes.

Purchase Features

The peel should be yellow or brownish. This indicates that the fruit is ripe. Pay attention that it is not broken anywhere. Inside the fruit is soft to the touch, eat it with a spoon, using the peel as a bowl.

The nutritional value

A cream apple is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. It contains iron, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin B 2 . There are cases when a cream apple relieved digestive problems and dizziness.

Dragon fruit (Dragon fruit)

Dragon fruit is used to make salads and desserts.

Dragon fruit is a bright pink or yellow fruit on the outside with large, most often light green scales around the edges. Perhaps because of this appearance, the fruit got its name. Inside, the fruit has either bright purple or white flesh with many tiny seeds. It tastes sweet when the fruit is ripe, and tasteless or even sour when it is not ripe.

Dragon fruit is the fruit of a tree-like cactus (hence the scales). Although native to Central America, it is considered one of the country's most profitable crops in Vietnam. But the fruit was brought here by the French only a little over 100 years ago. It has since spread throughout Southeast Asia.

Purchase Features

A dragon fruit is considered ripe if its scales have turned brown and have begun to dry out. The peel is not eaten, so it is best to buy the fruit already peeled. Fruits that have purple flesh stain clothes, so be careful.

The nutritional value

Dragon fruit has been shown in studies to improve eyesight and prevent hypertension. Its seeds (which are difficult to remove, so they are usually eaten with the pulp) help maintain normal blood glucose levels in people suffering from. Purple-fleshed fruits are rich in antioxidants.

Sweet tamarind (Sweet tamarind)

Sweet tamarind is useful in certain stomach ailments.

This fruit is native to tropical Africa. It was brought to India several thousand years ago. Then it spread throughout tropical Asia and even entered the territory of China.

Purchase Features

For tamarind, the season is from December to April. It costs quite a lot of pods to buy, since there is much less of what is suitable for food than it might seem at first. To eat, break the shell, scoop out the dark flesh and eat it carefully, avoiding the hard seeds.

The nutritional value

This is a great snack for Asian women because it has no fat and is very tasty. Sweet tamarind is rich in vitamin B and calcium (which is unusual for a fruit). It is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment and elimination of digestive problems. Tamarind is also considered a laxative, it is an excellent antiseptic, an excellent protector against various viruses and a quick help in many other diseases.

Persimmon (Persimmon)

Persimmon is a berry with a sweet-tart taste.

A shiny, palm-sized, round orange persimmon is an amazing and beloved delicacy by many tourists in Southeast Asia. It is incredibly sweet, however, it is better to use it in a purified form, as the skin can be tart. But if the persimmon is ripe, feel free to eat it along with the skin. You will not experience any discomfort.

Although it may be hard to believe, the persimmon is actually a berry.

Purchase Features

Persimmons usually cost about a dollar apiece. Make sure the fruit is whole and deep orange in color. It shouldn't have any stains. Most often, the fruits are sold laid out in even beautiful rows on roadside vertical stands. Therefore, when you take the persimmon you like, be careful not to get all the others.

The nutritional value

Be especially careful when eating unripe fruits, as they cause stomach problems, which can then be eliminated only by surgical intervention. In general, persimmon is known for being very good for health. It is rich in fiber and vitamin A and is believed to be able to prevent.

Mangosteen (Mangosteen)

Mangosteen has a refreshing taste.

Mangosteen is a funny, almost fabulous fruit. The fruit has a round, divided into several (four or more) segments, white flesh inside and a purple thick shell outside. The fruit is smaller than the average apple.

According to legend, Queen Victoria offered a £100 reward to anyone who could find and deliver fresh mangosteens to her. It is not known exactly what is the birthplace of the fetus, but it is more likely that this is the territory of Indonesia. The wild mangosteen grows in the forests of Malaysia, and the cultivated mangosteen grows in Southeast Asia. And since the journey from Britain to Asia took several weeks during the queen's time, no one was able to bring fresh fruits to her.

Purchase Features

The fruit usually ripens from May to September. How ripe the fruit can be understood by its color (should be purple), while the peel will be soft to the touch, but not too much.

The nutritional value

Mangosteen is rich in xanthones, which are believed to help fight allergies and various infections, reduce inflammation, treat skin diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and relieve fatigue. It also contains fiber (0.3 grams per 100 grams of fruit).

Rambutan (Rambutan)

Rambutan looks like a hairy walnut.

This is another fabulous fruit that many believe is of alien origin or grows deep in the ocean. Outwardly, it is pink in color with thin, long, soft green spikes and looks like a small hairy walnut. Inside, the pulp tastes like lychee, but denser and sweeter.

Malaysia is considered the birthplace of the fruit, from where rambutan spread throughout Southeast Asia. It also grows in India and South America.

Purchase Features

The best time to buy rambutan is in June and December. Pay attention that it is bright in color with slight darkening at the tips of the hairs.

The nutritional value

The fruit is rich in proteins and fats, as well as phosphorus, iron, and vitamin C, copper and. The fruit bone is inedible.

Green mango (Green mango)

Southeast Asians use green mango to make salads.

This unripe version of the mango is hardly a dessert like its sweet yellow counterpart. It is sour and is often used in main dishes and salads in Southeast Asia.

For mango (all its varieties), the homeland is Southeast Asia (in particular, Burma) and India. Green mango is an unripe fruit that has long been highly valued in Southeast Asia.

Purchase Features

It is quite possible to buy fresh green mango in fruit shops at any time of the year. Usually its pieces are salted or sprinkled with sugar. Pay attention to the color of the fruit. It should be deep green.

The nutritional value

Unripe mango is rich in pectin and fiber, which contributes to the normalization of work. Green mangoes are also rich in vitamin C (they have much more of this vitamin than ripe mangoes), as well as vitamins B 1 and B 2.

Armed with this information, feel free to try exotic fruits, enjoying not only their external beauty on the shelves, but also an unforgettable taste!

Fruit	Asian countries where the fruit grows
Mangosteen	Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines
Rambutan	All Southeast Asia
dragon fruit	Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Taiwan
sapodilla	India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Philippines
	All Southeast Asia
	All Southeast Asia
	India, Indonesia, South China, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand
	All Southeast Asia
carambola	Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia
Jackfruit	India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand

1. Mangosteen

Appearance: Mangosteen at the fruit market counter can be distinguished from other fruits by its dark purple skin and green cap. Behind this rather dense skin, which must be cut with a knife, lies a juicy, sweet white flesh, divided into slices that look like garlic.

Taste: The edible part of the mangosteen is very fragrant, with a slight sourness.

To choose the right mangosteen, you need to shake it slightly - if there is a slight knock on the walls, then the fruit is already overripe, separated from the stalk, will be juicy and bitter. And if the peel is very hard and does not squeeze through, this indicates that you have an unripe specimen in front of you.

The mangosteen harvest season is from April to September, but you can find it in Asian markets all year round. The fruit is rich in antioxidants, reduces inflammatory reactions - swelling, redness, fever.

You can find out how many slices will be in the mangosteen by looking at the bottom of the mangosteen - how many petals, so many slices inside.

2. Rambutan

Appearance: This fruit is also called hairy, because its peel is completely covered with soft spikes that look like thorns. Rambutan itself is small, literally 5 centimeters in diameter, its skin is bright red, and the pulp is transparent white, which is tightly attached to an inedible bone.

Taste: The taste of rambutan is pleasant, sweet, with a very slight sourness. In order to get to the fruit, you need to draw a knife along its diameter. The local population cooks jams, jellies and compotes from fruit, because fresh rambutan quickly deteriorates - it can lie in the refrigerator for literally a week.

In folk medicine, all parts of this plant are used, and the fruits themselves reduce blood pressure and the risk of cancer.

3. Dragon fruit

Dragon fruit, or as it is also called, the dragon's eye, is scientifically called pitahaya or pitahaya and belongs to the genus of cacti.

Appearance: The fruit of this fruit is the size of a palm, looks like a cone, with a bright pink peel and bright green tongues, which makes it look very attractive and appetizing. In rare cases, you can find a dragon fruit with a yellow peel. The flesh inside is white or beet-colored, but in any case with a large number of black small seeds, like kiwi.

Taste: The flavor of white-fleshed dragon fruit is neutral, with almost tasteless edges and a sweet center, while the beet-colored flesh is cloying. Selecting a ripe fruit is easy, you just need to squeeze it slightly - if it is soft, but not too much - this is just what you need. You need to eat it raw, dividing it in half and scooping it out with a spoon, or you can cut it lengthwise into four slices and detach the peel.

Dragon fruit is low in calories yet very satisfying and is a good breakfast option in Asia.

4. Sapodilla

Appearance: Sapodilla outwardly resembles either a large plum or a small and even potato. The second name of this fruit is chicu, since its homeland is Mexico.

Taste: The skin of the fruit is thin and matte, and the flesh is yellow-brown, with a caramel flavor, which resembles a persimmon in texture, and can be a little "knit" in the mouth. Inside there are glossy black bones, which should not be consumed. Ripe fruit should be soft, but not too soft.

Sapodilla can be eaten raw, or you can shake a shake out of it, only it is better to drink it through a straw, since the substances contained in the fruit have a gluing effect. Also, this property of sapodilla is used to stop diarrhea. The fruit deteriorates quickly, so you should not store it for more than three days, for the same reason, sapodilla cannot be found on the shelves of Russian supermarkets.

The sapodilla tree, when the integrity of the bark is broken, releases white sticky latex - the basis for chewing gum.

5. Lychee

Appearance: Lychee, or Chinese plum, is a small fruit with bright red skin that grows in clusters on tall trees. The pulp of the fruit is transparent white, with one bone inside.

Taste: Lychee has a bright, rich taste and aroma, juiciness and sweetness, somewhat reminiscent of grapes or strawberries. Of all tropical fruits, it has the shortest season - from May to July, and at other times of the year it is not possible to buy it in local markets, but it can be found in stores in canned form in its own juice or in coconut milk.

You need to choose a fruit, focusing on color: the redder it is, the riper the lychee. The fruit is rich in vitamins, especially nicotinic acid, which prevents the development of brain diseases. Due to this, in countries where litchi grows, they practically do not suffer from this disease.

6. Papaya

Appearance: Papaya is quite large, reaching 20 centimeters in length and 1.5 kilograms in weight. The peel of a ripe papaya should be honey or bright orange in color, and the flesh should be orange-red. Inside, the fruit has a cavity in which there are small bitter black seeds.

Taste: The taste of papaya is between a pumpkin and a melon, which is why it is often called a melon tree. On the shelves, in addition to the ripe fruit, you can find an unripe green specimen - the locals use green papaya for cooking. For example, spicy Som Tam salad is very common, one of the ingredients of which is unripe papaya.

When papaya is thermally processed, a bread aroma begins to emanate from it, hence the second name of the fruit is Breadfruit. Papaya is an excellent anthelmintic, as well as a natural fat burner that speeds up metabolism.

7. Noina

Appearance: Noyna, or sugar apple, is another fruit that is not common to Russians. The noina fruit is the size of a large apple and is covered with a bright green, scaly skin that resembles a cone. The flesh hiding inside is very fragrant, fibrous white, with a few black glossy inedible stones.

Taste: The taste is somewhat reminiscent of a ripe pear or butter cream. Ripe fruit should be soft and easy to eat by breaking it in half, peeling and spitting out the pits. Often the fruit is used as a base for ice cream or a filling for desserts. Noina is rich in vitamin C, calcium and amino acids.

In addition to the fruits, the leaves and roots of the plant are used medicinally as a tonic and antipyretic or to treat dysentery. Sugar apple can be found on all counters of local Asian markets and fruit shops almost all year round.

8. Durian

Appearance: Durian fruits are large, can reach four kilograms. Outwardly, durian can be recognized by its dense brown-green peel and powerful thorns. About this fruit, people who tried it had two opposing opinions - someone loves him very much, and someone is disgusted with him. All because of its smell, which resembles a mixture of rotten eggs, onions, garlic, sewage and other aromas that are unpleasant to the human nose. In this regard, durian cannot be carried into hotels, transport, public places, a fine can reach $ 3,000.

Taste: The taste of the fruit is nutty-creamy, with a delicate texture, like melted butter. It is most convenient to buy it in the market, where the fruit is cut in front of the buyer. It is better to choose a small fruit in size so that you can eat it right away. The pulp spoils in a matter of hours and begins to smell even worse, so you should not buy it in the supermarket wrapped in plastic.

Durian and alcohol are incompatible things, as this can lead to a sharp increase in blood pressure. Those who have tried durian and who like it often develop an attachment, almost dependence on this fruit, in addition, durian is a powerful aphrodisiac.

9. Carambola

Appearance: Carambola has another name - Starfruit, due to the fact that in cross section it resembles an asterisk. The fruit is yellow-green, sometimes yellow-orange, it should be eaten whole, with a peel.

Taste: Star fruit is crunchy, juicy, sweet, slightly sour, good at quenching thirst and similar in taste to an apple or gooseberry.

Due to its unusual shape, the fruit is often used to decorate cocktails and desserts. Carambola is rich in vitamins and minerals and is very beneficial for the body. In addition, it is often used in the household, for example, with the help of star fruit juice, stains are removed from clothes, copper and brass are polished. It is undesirable to use carambola for people with kidney problems, gastritis or peptic ulcer.

10. Jackfruit

Appearance: Jackfruit fruits are the largest growing on trees - they can reach 30 kilograms. They are found in markets or store shelves, as a rule, already peeled, and are a delicate white-yellow or yellow-orange flesh. Cut the jackfruit with gloves, as all parts of the plant, including the peel, contain sticky latex.

Taste: The fruit of a ripe jackfruit has a sugary-sweet taste, reminiscent of melon, marshmallow or chewing gum, and after eating the fruit with your hands, a pleasant aroma remains on the skin for a long time.

The pulp of the jackfruit is very nutritious, but at the same time low in calories and because of its cheapness in this fruit is called the "bread for the poor." Some people experience side effects from eating jackfruit - throat spasms that make swallowing difficult. This is a kind of manifestation of an allergic reaction, which disappears after one to two hours.

In Asia, the jackfruit tree is believed to bring good luck, wealth and health, so it is often planted near the house.

Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com

Article-review of exotic tropical fruits of Asia with photos, names, descriptions and prices in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. We wrote it based on our travel notes. Use on health!

Tropical fruits of the Southeast are a real treasure and a storehouse of health. It's just a sin not to try them all! In addition, exotic fruits sold in Russia (for example, pineapple, mango, bananas or carambola) only remotely resemble real ripe fruits. Read the article about - it is especially relevant for those who are going to this country for the first time.

List of tropical fruits with photos, names and descriptions

Rambutan (Rambutan, Ngo - Thai, Chôm chôm - Vietnamese)

Funny hairy red balls on the counter are rambutans. Their "hairiness" is of varying degrees: the hairs can be greenish and strong, withered and black, or moderately withered. Practice shows that the latter are the best.

The pulp of rambutans is dense and white translucent, it does not get rid of the stone too well. To get to the pulp, you need to make an incision across and part the halves. The taste is subtle and sweet, similar to green grapes. Unripe rambutans may be slightly sour. Sometimes there are already peeled rambutans in the markets, but they spoil much faster - there is a risk of running into spoiled ones. They are also sold in canned form with sugar syrup.

Season: from May to October.

Rambutans are one of the most inexpensive tropical fruits in Asia. Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 40 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 30 to 150 baht (and about 15 baht for a peeled substrate);
• In Indonesia - 10 thousand rupees in Sumatra and from 18 thousand rupees in Bali.

(Photo © jeevs / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Lychee (Litchi, lin-chi - Thai, vải - Vietnamese)

Lychee, otherwise - litchi, or Chinese plum - are remarkable and tasty. Neat red-pink fruits from afar resemble the skin of a reptile - their peel is dotted with small tubercles. To the touch pleasant, elastic, rough. The thin shell is easily separated from the pulp, revealing a translucent white mass with a stone in the center. Lychees are very juicy, with a sweet and sour taste. They are actively used in cooking.

Harvested from April to June. The price per kilogram in Thailand is about 60 baht.

(Photo © su-lin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Longan (Lam-yaj - Thai, Nhan - Vietnamese)

If you see bunches of small potatoes on the counter, know that this is a longan, or a dragon's eye. The fruits are juicy and sugary-sweet - it is almost impossible to break away from them: longan snaps like seeds, easily and quickly. In Vietnam, you can often see longan shells on the ground. The flesh is transparent white, sometimes with a slight yellowish tint. When cut, the longan resembles a dragon's eye, as there is a round bone inside, hence its name.

Season: May - November.

Prices per kilogram:

• in Vietnam - from 30 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 60 baht.

(Photo © Muy Yum / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Longkong (Langsat)

Longkong (langsat) is one of the most delicious exotic fruits in Asia, in our opinion. In appearance - a bunch of small potatoes of beige-yellow color with speckles, but larger than longan. The longkong is cleaned well - you just need to peel off the peel (although your hands will be a little sticky after that). The pulp is in the form of translucent slices, similar in shape to garlic. Its taste is simply amazing - sweet and refreshing, with a barely noticeable sourness, a bit like a pomelo. Beware of biting the bones - they are bitter.

Season: from May to November.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 100 baht;
• in Indonesia - from 20 thousand rupees.

(Photo © Yeoh Thean Kheng / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Mango (Mango, Ma-Muang - Thai, Xoài - Vietnamese)

The variety of mango species is amazing - from dark green to red. The flavor palette is also impressive. In Vietnam, mangoes are somewhat fibrous, while in Thailand their flesh is more uniform and flavorful. The bone is usually flat and wide.

It is better to choose slightly soft mangoes, hard ones may turn out to be unripe (although there are exceptions), and too soft ones - overripe, they will quickly deteriorate. In Thailand, yellow mangoes (and durians) are eaten with gluten-free rice and coconut milk, a traditional sticky rice dish.

Season: in Thailand in spring, in Vietnam - also in spring and winter.

Prices are different and depend on the variety (per kg):

• in Vietnam - from 25 to 68 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - from 20 to 150 baht;
• in Indonesia - 10-15 thousand rupees per season and 25-50 - out of season;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits.

(Photo © Philip Roeland / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Noina, or sugar apple (Sugar Apple, Noi-na - Thai, Mẵng cầu - Vietnamese)

Noina is very similar to cherimoya - they are relatives. Noina looks like a light green bumpy apple with segments-scales covered with a light whitish bloom. Sugar apple was called for a reason: the ripe fruit is really like sugar, with a creamy flavor. The flesh is white and so soft that noina is cut in half and eaten with a spoon, removing inedible bones. Cherimoya is similar to noina in many ways, but its peel is without scales.

Try to choose as ripe fruits as possible, as unripe noina will be unpleasant - hard and with a coniferous flavor. A ripe sugar apple is soft, the flesh can even shine through between the segments. Don't push it too hard - it can fall apart right in your hands.

Harvest: June - September.

The cost of a kilogram of these tropical fruits:

• in Vietnam - from 49 thousand dong (in a supermarket), in the market we bought for 30 thousand.

(Photo © Hanoian / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Guanabana, or soursop (Soursop, Guanabana, Mãng cầu xiêm - Vietnamese)

Another relative of the noina is guanabana. Its flesh is similar to a sugar apple, but not as sweet and with a bright creamy taste. By consistency, it is a bit like dense sour cream or yogurt, for which guanabana was nicknamed soursop. Eat it with a spoon or cut into pieces. The fruits of guanabana are much larger than noina and cherimoya, you can’t confuse them - they sometimes reach 10 or more kilograms. The peel is dark green, with small processes in the form of soft spines.

Guanabana is a rare guest on the shelves of markets and shops. Choose a slightly soft soursop - it can easily ripen in the refrigerator for a couple of days (but no more, so don't overdo it). An unripe fruit is hard and almost tasteless, and an overripe one will sour, fermentation processes will begin.

Fruits all year round. Usually the price per kilogram in Vietnam is from 43 thousand dong.

(Photo © tara marie / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Pomelo (Pomelo, Som-o - Thai)

Probably everyone knows what a pomelo looks like and what it tastes like, so we won’t describe it. However, we thought it was sweeter in Asia. When buying, you should choose by sniffing: the stronger the citrus aroma, the better the pomelo will be. Also pay attention to softness.

Season: July - September.

Price per kg:

• in Thailand - from 30 baht;
• in Vietnam - from 40 thousand dong.

Salak (Snake fruit, Sala and Ra-kum - Thai, Salak - Indonesian.)

A notable tropical fruit with a rind resembling snakeskin. It comes with and without thorns. The flesh is beige-yellow or white, sweet-sour in taste, with a wine flavor. Sometimes there is a taste of valerian. Spiny herring should be cleaned with care: cut at the edge with a knife and peel off like a tangerine. Cleans up pretty easily.

Season: June to August.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 60 baht;
• in Indonesia - from 20 thousand rupees.

(Photo © hl_1001a3 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Pineapple (Pineapple, Sa-pa-rot - Thai, Khóm (Dứa) - Vietnamese)

Pineapple is an exotic fruit familiar to us since childhood. Only here in Asia it is much tastier than in Russia. Large and small pineapples are sold - these are different varieties. We recommend taking Thai small, palm-sized, with an orange peel - they are the sweetest. It is convenient to buy already peeled or chopped pineapples.

Season: January, April - June.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 20 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - about 15-20 baht (per piece or kilogram - depending on the variety).

Chrysophyllum (Star apple, Caimito, Star apple, Vú sữa - Vietnamese)

We were not particularly impressed with the star apple: its taste seemed pleasant, but not outstanding, besides, the fruits secrete milky juice, which is then hardly washed off hands and lips. Mature chrysophyllums come in green, brown, and various shades of purple. You need to choose soft star apples, as unripe ones are inedible. It is better to eat them with a spoon, cut across and pre-cooled.

Harvested from February to March. The price in Vietnam per kg is from 37 thousand VND.

(Photo © tkxuong / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Mangosteen (Mangosteen, Mong-khut - Thai, Mang cút - Vietnamese)

Mangosteen (mangosteen), like almost all tropical fruits of Asia, looks attractive and arouses the curiosity of tourists. Small dark purple round balls with neat leaves on top, dense to the touch and quite heavy.

The peel of the mangosteen is thick, reminiscent of pomegranate in smell and astringent properties. Behind the thick rind are several slices of fragrant and extremely tender white pulp, similar in shape to garlic. The taste is unforgettable and indescribable! Light, sweet, refreshing. But we did not like the mangosteen wine.

It is important to choose the right fruits: when buying, lightly press the mangosteen - it should be a little soft, sag when pressed. If not, it's most likely corrupted.

When cleaning the mangosteen, be careful not to stain your clothes. In many hotels it is forbidden to eat it. It is better to clean with your hands - just tear off the leaves and press on the center. You can also use a knife - make an incision and open the fruit. If the mangosteen is fresh, it will peel easily.

Season: April - October.

Price per kg:

• in Thailand - from 80 baht;
• in Indonesia - 20-35 thousand rupees.

(Photo © olivcris / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Papaya (Papaya, Ma-la-koo - Thai, Đu đủ - Vietnamese)

Papaya is sweet and nutritious, with a flavor reminiscent of carrots and pumpkins. The flesh of the ripe fruit is very soft, fragrant, juicy, orange-red in color, and the skin is bright yellow to orange. Take moderately soft fruits. Green papaya is not sweet - it is added to salads and eaten with pepper and salt.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 10 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 40 baht;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - 7-15 thousand rupees.

(Photo © Crysstala / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Sapodilla (sapodilla, La-mut and Chiku - Thai, Lòng mứt or hồng xiêm - Vietnamese)

Sapodilla is called a tree potato - outwardly it really looks like an oblong potato. But inside - a sugary-sweet pulp of orange-brown color, reminiscent of persimmon varieties "Korolek", only softer. Buy soft brown fruits, as unripe sapodilla has an astringent effect.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 21 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 40 baht.

(Photo © GlobalHort Image Library/ Imagetheque / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Pitahaya (dragon heart, dragon fruit, Geow-mangon - Thai, Thanh long - Vietnamese)

Pitahaya is one of the most recognizable exotic fruits, the photo of which has probably been seen by everyone. The bright pink pitaya belongs to the cactus family and looks unusual: inside is white or beet-colored flesh with small black seeds. She has a barely perceptible sweetish taste - in my opinion, pitahaya is almost bland. Eat with a spoon, cut in half.

Season: May - October.

Price per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 20-23 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - from 45 baht;
• in Indonesia - 15 thousand rupees.

(Photo © John Loo / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)

Coconut (Coconut, Ma-phrao - Thai, Dừa - Vietnamese)

In Southeast Asia, coconuts are large and light green or yellow-orange in color, not brown and hairy, as we have on the shelves. These are young coconuts, and they are drunk. Sellers will carefully cut off the top of the nut with a machete, give you a tube and a spoon - you can scrape off the pleasant jelly-like pulp remaining on the walls of the coconut. We recommend buying chilled coconuts.

Season: all year.

Price per piece (depending on size):

• in Vietnam - from 8-15 thousand dongs;
• in Thailand - 15-20 baht;
• in Malaysia - from 4-5 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - 10-15 thousand rupees.

(Photo © -Gep- / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-ND 2.0)

Tamarind (Sweet Tamarind, Ma-kham-wan - Thai, Me thái ngọt - Vietnamese)

The sugary-sweet tamarind resembles a date in taste and texture. It looks like a brown pod, under a fragile shell - dark flesh, enveloping hard bones.

Season: December to March.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 62 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 100 baht.

(Photo © Mal.Smith / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Banana (Banana, Kluai - Thai, Chuối - Vietnamese)

There are many types of bananas in Asia. Mostly small, palm-length. The taste is sweet and very different from those sold in Russia. Be sure to try different varieties. For example, in Malaysia there are wonderful triangular bananas. They are red on the outside, but they taste like dried ones.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 15 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 30 baht;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - 20-25 thousand rupees.

Passionfruit (Passionfruit, Chanh dây - Vietnamese)

This tropical fruit has a different, more sonorous name - Passionfruit, which translates as passion fruit. The taste of passion fruit is not for everyone: too sharp, sweet and sour (but I like it very much). Similar to concentrated multifruit juice.

The peel is dense, comes in many colors, but mostly purple, burgundy, brown and green-brown. Fruits can be smooth or shriveled - just such a passion fruit will be ripe. The pulp is jelly-like, with edible seeds. They eat it with a spoon, cutting it across.

But in Indonesia, passion fruit is completely different and is called marquise! Inside - a sweet jelly-like pulp with crispy bones. It can be drunk or eaten with a spoon. Outside - a dense yellow-orange peel. How to choose fruits? Take the brightest ones. If, when pressed, the peel sags and even slightly crunches, then the fruit is ripe.

Season: september - december and marquise in winter.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 20 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 190 baht;
• in Indonesia - 45 thousand rupees (out of season).

(Photo © geishaboy500 / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Carambola (Carambola, Star fruit, Ma-fuang - Thai, Khẽ - Vietnamese)

The beautiful yellow-orange fruit is carambola. It tastes sweet and sour, reminiscent of strawberries. Carambola is juicy and refreshing, great to eat in the heat. It is so named because when cross-sectioned, slices are obtained in the form of stars.

Season: October to December.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 120 baht (and 50 baht for the substrate);
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits;
• in Indonesia - from 20 thousand rupees.

(Photo © berenicegg / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Chompu (pink apple, waterapple, Chom-phu - Thai, Mân thái đỏ - Vietnamese)

Chompoo are unusually juicy - it seems as if they are made of water. Excellent thirst quencher. The taste is barely noticeable sweetish, very pleasant. The fragrance resembles the smell of a rose, hence the name. Chompus come in red, green, and white.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Thailand - from 200 baht (and 20-70 baht for the substrate);
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits.

(Photo © beautifulcataya / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Jackfruit (Jackfruit, Kha-nun - Thai, Mít - Vietnamese)

Perhaps one of the most memorable and delicious exotic fruits in Asia is the jackfruit. Its fruits are round and very large, so it is sold peeled. The split jackfruit smells sweet, the aroma resembles chewing gum and spreads far. The lobules are bright yellow and smooth. The fruit is very nutritious.

Season: January - May.

Prices for a jackfruit pad:

• in Vietnam - about 25 thousand dong;
• in Thailand - from 20 baht.

(Photo © mimolag / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Guava (Guajava, Farang - Thai, Ổi - Vietnamese)

We don't like guava. It looks like a pear or a green apple, but tastes something in between. In general, the pulp is pleasant, sweetish, white and pink. Choose a softer guava, it is impossible to eat unripe - it is hard, with a coniferous flavor.

Season: all year round.

Prices per kg:

• in Vietnam - from 19 thousand dong;
• in Malaysia - from 4 ringgits.

(Photo © cKol / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0)

Wani (Wani, white mango)

Found only in Indonesia. It looks like a mango, but it's not the same at all. Inside is juicy aromatic pulp with an impressive bone. The pulp is fibrous and poorly separated from it, so it is inconvenient to cut. Cut the slices carefully without touching the bone. And even better - buy juice from vani so as not to toil.

Choose the largest fruits, slightly soft, with a dark skin. The fruit should smell strongly.

Season: late February - March, but we also bought in April - May.

The price per kg in Bali (Ubud) out of season is 35 thousand rupees.

Durian (Durian, Too-ree-an - Thai, Sầu riêng - Vietnamese)

The same king of fruits that everyone has heard about. Reviews about durian are contradictory: someone says that they will never eat it, while others are crazy about it. Our first acquaintance with durian turned out to be unsuccessful: a distinct taste of either onion or garlic was mixed with sweetness - not the pleasure that we expected after reading laudatory reviews about the heavenly taste of this exotic fruit. After eating, the garlic flavor lasts for a long time in the mouth. By the way, the smell is not quite nasty, and sometimes even pleasant - apparently, it depends on the variety.

We tasted durian the second time, having bought a traditional Thai dish sticky rice with durian and coconut milk. What to say? Don't lie, the taste is truly heavenly! The pulp is very tender, creamy. Remember that it should not be consumed with alcohol. The most delicious durians were eaten in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Season: April - August.

Durian prices:

• in Thailand it costs from 200 baht per kg (Phuket Town) and from 900 baht per kg in Patong - the difference in price is impressive. It is most profitable to buy sticky rice with durian - from 55 baht per pack. Hearty and tasty.
• in Indonesia - from 10-40 to 25-60 thousand rupees. Such a spread in prices due to the size and place of sale. In the resorts of Bali, prices are greatly inflated, so it is cheaper to buy in the outback and near the roads.

(Photo © Mohafiz M.H. Photography (www.lensa13.com) / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Intro Image Source: © Andrea Schaffer / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0.

The biggest fruit in the world... Surely it should attract attention. But what is known about him? At the moment, scientists have found that the largest are the fruits with the name "Jackfruit". Does it contain useful substances? Can it be eaten? It is also interesting to know if it has contraindications.

What is jackfruit

In fact, the plant with such an interesting name is evergreen, with dark leaves. The leaves themselves are striking in their size, they are oval in shape and reach twenty centimeters in length. The birthplace of the largest fruit is considered to be Bangladesh and India. However, it is now widespread. It can be found in Asia, Brazil, in Africa.

The fruits themselves are attached closer to the trunk, as the jackfruit branches are thin and brittle. The fruits ripen for a long time, from three to eight months.

The appearance of the fruit

The size of the largest fruit is amazing. For example, it can reach a meter, while its weight will be about twenty-five kilograms. The surface is a thick rind with bumpy projections. Ripeness is determined by the color of the skin. If it is green, then the fruit still needs time. If the color has become more yellow, then the fruit begins to tap. When a hollow sound appears, the fruit is removed.

It is noteworthy that if you cut the largest fruit, you first smell the skin. It is not very pleasant, some compare it to the smell of rotten onions. The flesh has a sweet aroma, similar to a mixture of pineapple and bananas. If the smell becomes unpleasant, then the fruit is overripe, which means: it is better not to use it.

Ripe fruit can be eaten immediately. If it is not ripe, then it is fried, boiled or other processing is used. Jackfruit is often compared to the largest fruit in Southeast Asia, the breadfruit. However, the world's largest is the jackfruit.

What is the use of the largest fruit?

First of all, a high content of vitamin C is noted. That is, eating these fruits for food allows you to increase immunity, especially during the season of colds. Also, the substances that are in the jackfruit have an antiviral effect.

It is also worth noting that these fruits contain phytonutrients, they contribute to the prevention of cancer. It is believed that the use of such a fruit allows you to prolong youth.

Jackfruit has the ability to cleanse the intestines. It is often used to prevent peptic ulcers.

The presence of vitamin A is also noted. It is not for nothing that it is called the beauty vitamin. Regular use of this substance in food has a beneficial effect on the skin, nails and hair.

Contraindications to the use of the largest fruit include only an allergy to its components. Otherwise, there are no restrictions. However, when you first eat it, you should not get carried away with juicy pulp.

How to clean this fruit?

In order to clean the fruit, you need to wear gloves. This is due to the fact that the peel contains sticky substances and it is difficult to wash your hands afterwards. First, the stem is removed. It is usually advised to let the fetus lie down for one day after this, then the skin will become softer. The fruit is cut into two halves. Then, with a knife, the middle, which is inedible, is removed. They begin to get slices of fruit, removing the seeds. Some turn the fruit inside out, it's a little easier that way.

By the way, fruit seeds are also worth eating. They can be fried or eaten raw.

Eating

In Asia, this plant is called food for the poor. This is due to the fact that despite the low calorie content, jackfruit contains a lot of carbohydrates, a huge amount of vitamins. It is nutritious and satisfying. The easiest way to consume it is raw. It is also used to make cocktails and as an additive to ice cream.

Due to the fact that there is a gelling component in the fibers of the fruit, marmalade, jelly, and various desserts are prepared from fruits. By the way, the use of fruit is not limited to desserts. It is often used in combination with meat ingredients. So, a recipe from Thailand is known, in which chicken is stuffed with jackfruit slices. Also, the pulp goes well with rice, cheese, flour products.

An interesting fact is that every part of this plant is edible. They use not only seeds, but also leaves with flowers. The latter are often used to decorate dishes.

Finally

What is the largest fruit? Jackfruit. He was born in India, but is now common in most countries. It grows on a green plant with large leaves. Fruits can reach a meter in length, has a weight of more than twenty kilograms. It is widely used both raw and in cooking. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, vitamin A, as well as useful substances that contribute to the prevention of cancer. Also, this plant helps to preserve the youthfulness of the skin. This is probably why so many people love this fruit so much.

An amazing flowering plant called wolfia spherical, produces such small fruits (width from 0.4 to 0.8 mm) that more than 1,000 of these fruits can fit on one human finger.

One such fruit weighs about70 micrograms. It is also worth noting that Wolffia spherical also stands out as the smallest flowers in the world among all flowering plants. Its natural range is tropical and subtropical Asia, however, the plant was introduced into North and South America. Wolffia spherical grows along the shores of lakes, rivers, ponds, as well as ditches, where it spreads very quickly through the reservoir. It will also be interesting to note that this plant does not need roots for the stems or leaves to survive.

This smallest plant in the world blooms, and later emerges from the flower a tiny fruit called "utricle" or "pouch".

This plant blooms between June and September.

Wolffia spherical fruits are cultivated in Southeast Asia, as they are rich in protein. This fruit is considered an abundant source of food, aswolfia reproduces very quickly. Wolffia tastes like watercress.

This micro plant is also considered a great source of energy. If used as a biofuel, it would be carbon neutral as it extracts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

In addition, this plant can be used to filter water by balancing the levels of phosphorus and nitrogen.

Another benefit of wolfia is its ability reduce cadmium and arsenic levels in the environment.

Scientists are looking at wolfia as a possible source of food and energy for long-term space travel.

The world's largest fruit

Among all edible fruits, the largest are the jackfruit fruits that grow on trees. Them length can reach 110 cm, diameter - 20 cm, and weight - 34 kg.

Experts consider India (in particular, the Eastern Ghats) and Bangladesh to be the birthplace of jackfruit, where this fruit is considered national.

Today, jackfruit grows profusely in Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Also, this tree can be found in East Africa, namely in Kenya and Uganda.

It is worth noting that this fruit is consumed both ripe and unripe. The latter is used as a vegetable - it is boiled, fried, and also stewed, but the ripe fruit is used fresh, especially when preparing salads and desserts.

Healthy jackfruit

A ripe jackfruit has a very strong aroma. Inside, it smells like a mixture of pineapple and banana, and it tastes like blend of apple, pineapple, mango and banana.

Jackfruit is incredibly nutritious. It contains about 40% carbohydrates, and seeds can contain 38% carbohydrates, 6.6% proteins and 0.4% fats. As a rule, the seeds of this fruit are roasted like chestnuts.

Since jackfruit wood is not damaged by termites and fungi, it is often used in construction, furniture production, and musical instruments.

List of useful substances contained in jackfruit:

Vitamins:

A, beta-carotene, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), nicotinic acid (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin B6, folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin C, vitamin E.

Minerals:

Calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc.