What Is A Rambutan???

From Wikipedia:
"The fruit is a round to oval drupe 3-6 cm (rarely to 8 cm) long and 3-4 cm broad, borne in a loose pendant cluster of 10-20 together. The leathery skin is reddish (rarely orange or yellow), and covered with fleshy pliable spines, hence the name rambutan, derived from the Malay word rambut which means hairs. The fruit flesh is translucent, whitish or very pale pink, with a sweet, mildly acidic flavour."

Rambutan is a tropical fruit that deserves to be well known. It is a close relative of lychee and it is just as sweet and delicious. Rambutan is fairly common in places like Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Borneo, and other countries of this region.

It is in season in the months of July and August. These are the best times to try this tropical treat! When buying in bulk, make sure that they are still attached to the branch (introduction picture) as it helps preserve their wonderful taste and keeps the fruit fresher longer.


I was lucky enough to grow up in a tropical place where beautiful sceneries fill my horizon and delicious tropical fruits endulge my taste buds. One of my cherished childhood memories was with my grandmother in the public market where fresh fruits and vegetables were sold. My grandmother would take me every weekend to do some shopping and I'd tag along for the sweet rewards.

One of my favorite tropical fruits is rambutan. It's unique and it's sweet and juicy, like many fruits I love. I personally love this fruit so much it is in my top 3 favorite fruits. My first one is sweet mangoes, second is sweet grapes, third is rambutan!

Here is a page dedicated to this delicious fruit. Please sign the guestbook and vote on the poll!

Also, if you are able, please donate to Action Against Hunger!

Thank you so much for visiting!

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1. If you're in Asia (or anywhere a rambutan can possibly and legally grow), you can find them in the public market. But remember, they are only in season during the months of July and August.

2. If you're not anywhere near Asia, try Asian markets. Sometimes your local grocery store might have them too. Call ahead and ask if they have rambutan in stock. It might also help to know the other names of this fruit, just in case they have no idea what you're talking about.

According to this website:

English: rambutan
Thai: ngoh, phruan
Malaysian Aborigine: nert, gente
Indonesia and Malaysia: rambutan
Cambodia: saaw maaw
Vietnam: chom chom, vai tieu
Chinese (Cantonese): hooun mo daon; (putonghua): shau tsz

3. If you're nowhere near an Asian market, try the internet. Read up!
You can read up all about it so you know where your rambutan is coming from and if it's legal to be shipped here. Some agricultural laws apply.

4. If you have relatives or friends who are nice enough to ship them to you, take advantage of it. Again, check if there are any laws against this. Laws varies state by state.