Fruits of Thailand - from this article you will learn almost everything about the exotic fruits growing in Thailand. I will tell you where they are sold, how much they cost, their beneficial properties, and, of course, let’s not forget about their names. And for dessert, I’ll give you tips on places where it’s cheaper to buy them.
In exotic Thailand, tourists are fascinated by absolutely everything: nature, architecture, weather, culture, the cheerful character of the Thai people, and also local fruits. There is simply an incredible amount of them growing here, starting with the well-known bananas (there are more than 10 types of them, some even have seeds) and ending with the mysterious rambutans and sapodillas. On the one hand, you want to try everything, but on the other hand, questions arise: how to eat them, what is the benefit of this or that fruit, where to buy them, how much do they cost and is it possible to eat them at all? Below you will find answers to these questions.
Description. The Thais pronounce it SapaLot, for those who have forgotten why, let's go to, where I wrote about it. The “appearance” of a pineapple is familiar to everyone, but pineapples are grown in Thailand different varieties, including those that, when ripe, have a greenish peel, which often confuses tourists. Pineapples grown in Thailand are considered almost the best in the world. They are very sweet and never leave a sore taste in your mouth. You should select pineapples by touch - a good ripe fruit will be slightly crushed under your fingers. If the fruit yields too much, the fruit is most likely rotten. The small, yellow pineapple from Chang Rai is considered the most delicious and sweet, but it is much more difficult to buy, since it is often sold only in some markets.
Beneficial features. Pineapples are rich in vitamins C and A, phosphorus, calcium and bromelain, a high-fiber element. These delicious fruits can be a good help in the fight against colds and low blood pressure. They improve digestion and promote the breakdown of fats, which means they help in the fight against excess weight.
Season: all year round, the peak occurs in December, January and the period from April to June.
Prices: from 10 baht per piece, from 20 baht for peeled and cut (the price does not change throughout the year).
Description. The origin of this fruit (more precisely, the berry), of course, is not Thai, but in Thailand watermelons are grown on almost every plantation. There are two common varieties of watermelons in the country - with the familiar red flesh and with exotic yellow flesh. The taste of a yellow watermelon is almost no different from a red one; you can buy it in the BIG C shopping center or, in markets and in the city this is rarely found.
Beneficial features. Watermelon pulp contains a set of easily digestible sugars (fructose, sucrose, glucose), vitamins C, B1, B2, PP and many others. useful substances. Watermelon has a beneficial effect on the functions of the heart and blood vessels, the gastrointestinal tract and the endocrine glands. A well-known property of watermelon is its diuretic effect.
Season: all year round.
Prices: average price in markets and around the city from 25 baht for a whole, small watermelon (2-4 kg) (the price does not change throughout the year).
Description. There are many varieties of bananas grown in Thailand, from the tiny, thin-skinned Kluai Khai finger bananas to the long Kluai Hom. A whole book could be written about the use of bananas in Thai cuisine: green bananas are eaten with spices, medium-ripe fruits are cut and dried in the sun, ripe bananas are boiled in coconut milk, deep-fried or in syrup - and this is just a small part of the possible options.
Beneficial features. Bananas contain vitamins B, A and C, iron, calcium and potassium. These fruits are rich in fiber and carbohydrates. Bananas are of particular health value due to their content of tryptophan, a substance necessary for the normal functioning of the brain.
Season: all year round.
Prices: the average price of small, finger bananas is 25 baht per armful (8-12 pcs.), a little larger from 30-35 baht, large ones from 40 baht (from 4-8 pcs.) (the price does not change throughout the year)
Description. The guava fruit looks like an apple with rough, wrinkled skin. Inside, the loose white guava pulp is filled with hard, light-colored seeds. In general, guava is a rather tasteless fruit; it contains no acids. Despite this, guava is very popular in Thailand; Thais cut it into slices and eat it with sugar and chili pepper. In addition, peeled guava fruits are soaked in sugar syrup and then served chilled. These fruits are bright green or bright pink in color and can be bought from street vendors or in the BIG C shopping center.
Beneficial features. Guava is recommended to be consumed to stimulate the heart and improve digestion; it contains more vitamin C than oranges.
Season: all year round.
Prices: average price per 1 kg. 40 baht, price may vary depending on the size of the fruit. (the price does not change during the year).
Description. The jackfruit fruit is similar in shape to the durian, only its spines are smaller and larger in size. Jackfruit is one of the largest fruits in the world; the weight of this fruit often reaches 40 kilograms. As the jackfruit ripens, the skin turns from green to brown and the thorns lose their sharpness. The pulp is dense, juicy and has a sweet taste; inside the fruit there are starchy seeds.
It is almost impossible to extract edible pulp from the fruit on your own, without special skills. Therefore, jackfruits in Thailand are sold already peeled and with the seeds removed. The ready-to-eat fruit looks like a giant, flattened corn kernel and tastes like marshmallow. Jackfruit seeds are sold separately in baked or boiled form; they taste like both beans and chestnuts. Jackfruit is my favorite fruit!
Beneficial features. Jackfruit fruit is very nutritious. The fruit is recommended as a source of vitamin A, sulfur, calcium and phosphorus.
Season: from January to May.
Prices: The fruits of this fruit are usually not sold by weight; they are wrapped in special wrappings. packaging, which is subsequently sold, the average price of a package is from 30 baht. During the ripening season, the price can drop to 20 baht.
Description. Durian is an impressive fruit in every way. Its fruits sometimes reach a weight of 5-7 kilograms and have a hard, thorny peel. The inside of the fruit is usually divided into five or six sections. Durian is the most famous and perhaps the most controversial fruit. Durian, like JackFruit, is not sold in shell, since not everyone can cut it. Usually the pulp is packaged and offered for sale. What epithets were awarded to it: “king of fruits”, “heavenly taste and hellish smell”, etc. Durian gained a scandalous reputation due to the discrepancy between the rich and pleasant tart-sweet taste and the disgusting smell, at best reminiscent of the “aroma” of a mixture of onions and turpentine. The smell is the reason that in Thailand durian is prohibited from being brought into hotels and any public premises.
It is advisable to eat the durian pulp with a spoon - if you do it with your hands, the disgusting smell will remain on them for a long time. Thais usually wash down durian with salted water, pouring it into half a giant shell.
Useful properties and contraindications. Thais consider durian to be an excellent aphrodisiac, but this has not been proven by science. But it is known for sure that durian greatly increases blood pressure, so it should not be consumed with alcohol.
Season: from May to August.
Prices: starts from 70-90 baht per package; during the off-season it is more difficult to buy durian, so its price increases by about 30%.
Description. Carambola fruits, in size, shape and even color - green or yellow - resemble bell peppers, and if you look at them from below or above they are shaped like a star. The pulp of ripe carambola is very juicy and has a pleasant, not very sweet, floral taste. If the carambola is sour, it means it is unripe. In Thailand, carambola is used to make juices, soft drinks, salads, sauces, and canned food. There is no need to peel the fruits; they are simply cut into pieces.
Beneficial features.
Carambola is the richest source of vitamin C.
Season:
from October to December
Prices:
This fruit is not very popular, so it is not always found on sale; the average price for it is from 50-70 baht.
Description. This red-skinned, white-fleshed fruit with a delicate aroma and delicious tart-sweet taste was brought to Thailand from southern China around the 17th century. Lychees are now grown on many farms in the northern regions, but their prices are higher than most other Thai fruits. There are approximately 20 varieties of lychee in Thai markets.
Beneficial features. Lychee is a rich source of B vitamins, as well as iron and phosphorus. In traditional oriental medicine, lychee is used as a tonic and is considered an effective remedy for anemia (anemia).
Season:
from April to June.
Prices:
price from 60-80 baht per kg.
Description. Longan has small, nut-like fruits with a thin, easily peeled, cinnamon-colored skin, underneath which lies aromatic, juicy, and sugar-rich white pulp. There is a seed inside the fruit. Longan came to Thailand from China (its name comes from the Chinese “long yang”, which means “dragon eye”) and is grown in the north of the country. In Thailand, longan is especially popular: it is usually eaten fresh; in restaurants it is sometimes served with ice cream.
Beneficial features. Longan contains vitamin C, iron, calcium, phosphorus and many acids that are beneficial for the skin. Due to its high sugar content, this fruit gives strength during illness, but too much longan can cause a fever.
Season: from mid-July to mid-September.
Prices: average price from 60 baht per 1 kg.
Description. Longkong is a round, small fruit that grows in grape-like clusters with soft, pale yellow skin. Another Thai fruit, langsat, is very similar in appearance and taste to longkong, distinguished by a slightly lighter skin and a sticky, milky juice that releases when peeled. The peeled longkong fruit is somewhat reminiscent of a small head of pickled garlic. The translucent white pulp of the fruit has a sweet and slightly sour taste.
Beneficial features.
Longkong is recommended as a source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, vitamins B1, B2, C.
Season:
from July to September.
Prices:
average price from 40-50 baht per kg.
Description. Mango fruits are oval and smooth, with a yellow, green or red surface and a thin skin. The taste of the juicy and aromatic pulp depends on the variety of mango and ranges from sour to sweet. Due to its enormous popularity, mangoes have been nicknamed the “apple of the tropics.” In Thailand, mangoes are sold all year round, but this fruit tastes best during the peak season - from April to June.
Beneficial features. Mango is a source of vitamins A, B and C, as well as iron and phosphorus. The fruit has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and digestive systems, and is useful for inflammation of the gums and oral cavity. But it is advisable not to overdo it with mangoes: large quantities it may cause a laxative effect.
Season: from April to June.
Prices: from 70 baht per 1 kg. in season and from 100 and above in off-season.
Description. Thailand is the world leader in growing mangosteens, an incredibly tasty tropical fruit. Externally, a mangosteen resembles a small round eggplant. The round fruits have a diameter of 5 to 10 centimeters. Sometimes in mangosteen more than half of the volume comes from the peel. Inside there are from three to five white slices. The taste of these slices is magical: slightly oily, sweet, but not cloying. Some people find mangosteen to taste similar to grapes, peach or even creme brulee.
Beneficial features. Mangosteens are very rich in phosphorus, calcium and vitamins C and B. It is believed that mangosteen has a rejuvenating effect on the body.
Season:
from May to October.
Prices:
During the season, the price of this fruit can reach 15 baht per 2 kg or 7.5 baht per kg, but out of season it rises to 50-80 baht, and buying it becomes problematic.
Description. Thai tangerines differ from Western varieties in their smaller size and thinner yellowish-green peel. In Thailand, tangerines with an excellent sweet and sour taste are most often used to make juice, which is sold literally on every corner from street stalls.
Beneficial features.
Tangerines contain a lot of different vitamins (A, C, B1, B2, PP, P) and essential oils. Due to the high content of phytoncides, these fruits have an antimicrobial effect.
Season:
all year round, peak from September to February.
Prices:
price from 25 baht per kg.
Description.
The round fruits of noina are similar to apples, only they have a bumpy surface. When unripe, noina resembles an apple and tastes like a very sweet apple (this explains one of the variants of the name). When the fruits are fully ripe, their “sugar” pulp becomes so soft that it can be eaten with a spoon. In Thailand, this fruit is consumed raw, sometimes with spices. In addition, delicious ice cream is made from noina.
Beneficial features.
Noina is rich in vitamin C, calcium and amino acids.
Season:
from June to September.
Prices:
Description. Papaya fruits have an oblong shape, reach 30–35 centimeters in diameter, and can be up to half a meter long. The taste of papaya changes as the fruit ripens. Thais use unripe tart papaya in salads and add it to meat dishes (the fruits contain papain, an enzyme that destroys tough meat fibers and makes it soft). The most popular dish of Thai cuisine is som tam, a salad made from green papaya fruits. When ripe, papaya acquires sweetness and is used as a dessert.
Beneficial features.
Papaya is high in vitamins B, C, A, D and iron. The fruit helps normalize liver function, blood sugar levels and stomach acidity. Eating papaya has a good effect on the digestive process.
Season:
all year round.
Prices: From 20-30 baht per fruit (the price does not change throughout the year).
Description. Pitaya is native to Australia but is widely accepted in Thailand. It must be said that pitaya is not a fruit, but is the fruit of a cactus. Dragonfruit (or dragon's eye) fruits come in pink, red and yellow colors. They have a very unusual appearance: the bizarrely curved “petals” of the peel resemble the scales of a fairy-tale dragon. The edible pulp of pitaya is white or burgundy and contains many small black seeds. Pitaya tastes most like kiwi.
Beneficial features. Dragon fruit stimulates blood circulation and is very useful for cardiovascular diseases. In addition, Thai doctors recommend this fruit for thyroid dysfunction.
Season: all year round.
Prices: from 60-80 baht per kg.
Description. Pomelo is the largest fruit in the citrus family. Outwardly, it is very similar to a large grapefruit, but the taste is more like an orange. Residents of Thailand eat pomelo by dipping pieces of it in a mixture of sugar, salt and red pepper. Foreigners find this tradition strange at first, but after trying it, most are delighted with the combination of the sweet and sour taste of the fruit with the bitter-pungent taste of spices.
Beneficial features. Pomelo contains a special lipolytic enzyme that promotes the breakdown of fats. Therefore, this fruit is often made the basis of a weight loss diet. The high concentration of antioxidants makes pomelo a good means of preventing cancer. In addition, pomelo contains ascorbic acid, vitamin C and essential oils, making it suitable for the prevention of colds.
Season: all year round, with peak season from August to November.
Prices: Usually in shopping centers and markets they sell pomelo in sliced form, the price is 50-60 baht per package. (price does not change during the year)
Description. Rambutan fruits are balls the size of Walnut with elastic orange-green or green-red peel. The surface of rambutans is strewn with long and stiff, sometimes green and sometimes pink hairs. The very name of this fruit comes from the word “rambut”, which means “hair” in Indonesian. The pulp of the fruit is a white gelatinous mass that tastes pleasant and sweet; usually rambutan with pink hairs is much sweeter than its counterpart, but this can only be found in local markets in Thailand; in stores it is usually sold only with green ones. Rambutans have an edible seed inside, but I have never tried it.
Beneficial features. Rambutan pulp contains a lot of proteins, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin C. It is very beneficial for the skin.
Season: from May to September.
Prices: the price depends on the size of the fruit and its color; during the season, rambutan can be bought for 15 baht per 2 kg., in the off-season the price rises to 60-80 baht per kg.
Description. Like a number of others exotic fruits, which due to some misunderstanding began to be called “apple”, this fruit has absolutely no resemblance to a real apple. The shape of the pink apple fruits resembles bells. The thin skin of the rose apple hides crisp, doughy flesh that emits a sweet scent a bit like the scent of roses. The fruits are eaten fresh or used in making desserts.
Beneficial features. In Eastern medicine, the pulp of the rose apple is endowed with antimicrobial properties. This fruit is also believed to normalize blood pressure.
Season: from April to June.
Prices: price from 50-70 baht per kg.
Description. The fruits of lard are covered with a rich red-brown skin, dotted with small spines. This peel resembles the skin of a snake, which is why lard is often called snake fruit. Before consumption, this fruit must be peeled; due to the abundance of thorns, only the most true connoisseurs of the taste of lard can repeat this procedure several times. Sala has an intense sweet and sour taste that is difficult to compare with anything. Some describe the taste as being both strawberry and valerian.
Beneficial features. The pulp of lard is rich in tannin, which relieves inflammation in the intestinal mucosa and kills some types of pathogenic microflora.
Season: from June to August.
Prices: the average price for 1 kg is from 35-50 baht. This fruit is almost never found in shopping centers out of season.
Description. Externally, the sapodilla is very similar to a plum; its surface is dark brown or light yellow and completely devoid of “hairs”. Sapodilla fruits have a sweet milky-caramel taste. The fruit in Thailand is most often used to prepare various drinks, desserts and sauces.
Beneficial features. In oriental medicine, sapodilla is used to normalize low blood pressure.
Season: from September to December.
Prices: this fruit is one of the most expensive in Thailand; out of season it is almost nowhere to be found, and during the season the price reaches 200 baht per 1 kg.
Description. Externally, tamarind resembles large brown beans, the length of the fruit is 10-15 centimeters. Hidden inside the tamarind are dark, hard seeds, covered with a sticky dark cherry shell, which is edible. This pulp has a sour-sweet, tart taste. In Thailand, tamarind is boiled, resulting in an interesting-tasting, refreshing drink, and is also eaten fresh. When choosing tamarinds, you should pay attention to the fact that the fruits are firm to the touch, with a smooth, non-wrinkled skin. Before use, the fruit can be cut lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp and remove the seeds. Note: Another variety of tamarind grows in Thailand - sour, and Thais use it to make sauces.
Beneficial features. Tamarind is rich in calcium, vitamins B, A and C and a whole range of minerals. The fruit is widely used by Thais as an effective yet mild laxative.
Season:
from December to March.
Prices:
30-50 baht per kg.
They also sell coconuts, passion fruit, santol, palm fruits, physalis and much more. In addition to local fruits and berries, you can find many imported ones from China and New Zealand.
Well, now we have come to the main question, where to buy them. In fact, you don’t have to travel far; they are sold almost everywhere. If you come to a resort town or island, you won’t have any problems finding it.
On the beaches. Boys and girls walk along the beach and sell already cut pineapples, rambutans, etc. Price 30-40 baht per package.
On the streets in tents. Here you can buy them by weight, as well as cut into packages. A little cheaper than on the beach. Such tents are located almost throughout the city.
In makashnitsa. These are mobile motorcycles or carts. Here you can choose from a dozen of the most popular fruits, usually sold individually or in slices. The price for almost all types is 10 baht, for some examples 20. Such mopeds can be found on crowded streets, near shopping centers, as well as in beach areas.
From farmers with vans. At the peak of ripening, farmers harvest their crops and come to cities to sell their goods. Since not everyone wants to spend money on renting places at the market, some people stop along the road and sell from a van. This is often significantly cheaper than in shops, tents, beaches or tourist markets. But the choice is limited, since one farmer concentrates on one, maximum two fruits.
In supermarkets Big C, Tesco Lotus, etc. These are some of the most popular and not very expensive places to buy. There is a large selection here, reasonable prices, sometimes there are promotions, and, of course, don’t forget about the evening sale of cut fruits.
In the evening, at about 20:00 in large shopping centers like Big C, Tesco Lotus, in order to sell today's sliced or baked goods, the shopping center reduces prices by 2 or even 3 times, so if in the morning half a watermelon cost 30 baht, then by the evening it can cost 10.
In markets for foreigners. One of the most popular is the market opposite the Mike Shopping Mall, prices here are much higher than in any other place, perhaps due to the popularity of the area, as well as large selection. For example, on 06/11/2013 I bought 2 kg of rambutan at the Thai market for 15 baht. When I arrived here, they tried to sell me 1 kg for 50 baht. Although during this period in the city the average price for 1 kg is 25 baht. The sellers are very smart, they do not post prices for their goods, and accordingly it can be different for each foreigner.
In Thai markets. These are markets that foreigners know almost nothing about; they are usually located in less fortunate areas of the city and are visited only by Thais. Accordingly, prices here for certain goods are attractive.
In my opinion, the best places to buy fruit are: the Thai market or BIG C and Tesco Lotus. If you are not going to eat a lot of fruit, then you shouldn’t look for these places, just buy them at the nearest stall and enjoy.
To begin with, I would like to answer the question “Is it possible to export fruits from Thailand?” — Yes, you can, there are no restrictions on export. The main thing is to keep the total weight of your luggage to 25 kg. including hand luggage.
But it should be remembered that the Federal Law “On Plant Quarantine” is in force on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Excerpt:
Article 13. Seizure, destruction, return of regulated products (regulated material, regulated cargo)
In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, in order to prevent the penetration of quarantine objects into the territory of the Russian Federation and (or) the spread of quarantine objects on the territory of the Russian Federation, regulated products (regulated material, regulated cargo) may be seized, destroyed or returned according to the instructions of officials of the state supervision body and customs authorities. bodies in the manner established by the Government of the Russian Federation.
Thus, our customs can legally seize your food from you. But as practice shows, such cases are rare.
As fruits for transportation, I would recommend:
In my opinion, they last longer and are one of the most delicious and interesting.
IMPORTANT! Durian is prohibited for export.
It is easier and more convenient to take out in special plastic baskets, as in the photo below.
Firstly, they are not very heavy, and secondly, they are quite strong and reliable. You can buy them in almost all places where they sell fruit. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take these baskets with you on the plane; they can only be carried in your luggage.
Another option for exporting fruit is to pack it in a suitcase with things. The main thing is to seal them securely so that they do not stain your things. This option is the safest in terms of import into Russia, since customs is unlikely to pay attention to an ordinary suitcase, and accordingly, the chances of giving gifts to “friends” are reduced.
That's all! Share your impressions and leave reviews about the fruits that you liked the most!
Heady aromas, ripe fruits and juicy taste of fruits can rightfully be called Thailand a fruit country. Thailand's warm tropical climate and abundant rainfall are ideal for growing a huge variety of fruits. Some of Thailand's fruits are native to the country, while others were brought from other tropical regions and are now grown here.
Everyone knows the fruits: pineapples, oranges, watermelons, bananas, grapes, melons, coconuts, tangerines, etc., but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many of these fruits are not exported to other countries because they begin to spoil during transportation. Even if they go to other countries, they cost more there than in Thailand.
Some fruits in Thailand are incredibly sweet and juicy. Fresh fruit is popular among Thais at any time, allowing them to snack on fruit and enjoy it as dessert. They serve them in salads or cook them different ways, for example, cutting fruit in a beautiful way, which is a traditional art, thus forming beautiful buffets.
Some fruits are seasonal in Thailand, others grow all year round, but there is always a wide selection of fruits available to tourists.
Thais often wait for their favorite fruits to appear. Prices vary depending on the season and quality of the fruit.
Season: From May to August.
They are not that common on the market, but you can find them quite often. The plant itself is a tree that grows in forests. Inside the fruit there are 2-3 segments with a stone. They have a sour taste.
Season: All year round.
The Thai name for the fruit means white or western woman. The fruit is native to Tropical America. Guava has a sweet-sour taste.
Season: From January to May.
These fruits are very large, ugly and smelly. These are the largest fruits in the world. They reach a weight of over 30 kilograms. Despite their unattractive appearance, inside the fruit contains delicious sweet pulp consisting of slippery juicy fibers. You can buy the fruit whole or already cut.
Season: Peak from May to August.
This is the king of Thai fruits. The fruit can reach a weight of up to 5 kilograms. It is famous for its strong unpleasant odor but delicate taste. The fruit is not for everyone; not everyone can overcome its smell. You can buy ready-made peeled fruit or cut it yourself. In hotels and in public places It is forbidden to be with durian.
Season: All year round.
Contains pulp and refreshing milk inside.
Season: Only from June to October.
This fruit is similar to longan. Inside, the pulp is divided into segments. The fruits have a sweet taste. Some segments contain inedible seeds.
Season: April to June only.
This fruit comes from China. Currently widely grown in Northern Thailand. They are extremely popular all over the world. Fruits grow on trees. Inside, the pulp has a sweet taste and contains a seed. There are many varieties of two main types.
Season: June to August only.
It is one of the classic fruits of Thailand and is very popular among the locals. The fruit grows in a bunch, like grapes. The fruit is similar in shape and taste to lychee. The fruits are preserved and distributed throughout the world.
Season: Peak from January to May.
Thai mango is one of the sweetest in the world. Thais eat them in different ways. Some people eat them when they are still green and sour. At this time, you can eat them with sugar or use them to make sour salads like som tam, which are usually made from papaya, but green mango can be an alternative. When mangoes ripen they turn yellow or orange color and become very sweet. Contains a bone inside. Thais love to eat them with rice.
Season: Peak from May to September.
Season: All year round.
This fruit was imported to Asia from Mexico over 400 years ago. When the fruits are still green and sour, they are used as the main ingredient in the popular Thai dish som tam. The ripe fruit is yellow or orange.
Season: All year round.
A very amazing looking fruit. Use a knife to cut the fruit in half. Inside the fruit there is white pulp with many black seeds, which can be eaten with a spoon. When the fruits are fully ripe, they taste sweet and aromatic.
Season: Peak from August to October.
These are large, round citrus fruits similar to a grapefruit. Pomelo is usually eaten fresh, but is also used in salads.
. Season: May to September only.
The fruit contains a hairy skin that needs to be peeled. Inside the fruit there is sweet white pulp with a stone.
Season: From June to September.
The shape resembles a bell in shades from red to green.
Salakka, big snake fruit . Season: From June to September.
This fruit grows in hard to reach places. The hard shell of the fruit consists of brown to dark red scales. Inside the fruit there is edible yellow-white pulp that has a sweet taste.
Season: From May to August.
The fruit has a peel. The pulp tastes sweet and soft.
Season: Peak from June to September.
This fruit is the size of an apple and is covered with green scales. The fruit is peeled. Inside the flesh is white and sweet. The seeds are inedible.
Season: Peak from September to November.
They look like beans. They have a sweet and sour taste. Mainly used as seasonings for dishes. The fruits contain seeds. The seeds are edible boiled and fried.
The names of these fruits are not widely known ordinary people in Russia. We hope that this article was useful to you. We will be very grateful if you leave a comment under this article!
It won’t be difficult to answer the question of what tourists take most from Thailand – fruit, of course. You are unlikely to see such a variety of taste, smell, color and shape anywhere else. Moreover, all the fruits are environmentally friendly; they are grown without any chemicals. For those traveling to Thailand for the first time
Some fruits will, of course, already be familiar, but most of those growing here have not yet been imported to Russia. Therefore, we will conduct a small educational program: You can look at the photo to see what these fruits look like, and read their brief description.
Season – all year round, price – from 20 baht/piece.
Pomelo (Som-Oh)
The largest fruit of the citrus family, which has been purchased by Russian retail chains for a long time. Many people like it better than oranges and grapefruits, although they do not have much useful weight due to their very thick peel. Like all citrus fruits, it is rich in vitamin C. Choose those that smell stronger. Many Thais eat pomelo with a mixture of salt, sugar and pepper. Added to some dishes. Often used in various diets.
Season – June-February, price from 50 baht/piece.
Dragon eye, dragon fruit, dragonfruit (Geow mangon)
A very interesting looking fruit, it is actually the fruit of a cactus. The scientific name is pitaya. The taste and consistency are a bit like kiwi. The pulp with small black seeds, which comes in white and red colors, is edible. Red is tastier, but also more expensive. Pitaya is good for the thyroid gland, skin, vision, promotes weight loss, and helps in the treatment of gout. It is recommended to eat chilled, cutting in half and scooping out the pulp with a spoon. Pitaya flowers are brewed with tea. Be careful - the juice from the peel is very difficult to wash off.
Guava (Farang)
A round green fruit that looks like an apple. It has white, rather hard, edible pulp with a slightly bittersweet taste. They eat both ripe and unripe fruits with the peel, in this case with a mixture of salt, sugar and pepper. You can also cut the guava into slices, remove the seeds, soak in sugar syrup and cool. It will work out delicious dessert. Guava is also used to make delicious jelly, jam and marmalade. The fruit is good for the heart and digestion. Rich in vitamin C, guava has 5 times more of it than oranges. Interesting fact– Thais call European tourists farangs.
Season – all year round, price – from 30 baht/kg.
Durian (Durian, Too-ree-an)
The most interesting and controversial fruit in the whole world. Translated as “reverse aroma.” Considered the king of all fruits. A storehouse of microelements and vitamins. It has the terrifying appearance of a war club - large (up to 8 kg), prickly and hard. Inside, in peculiar five chambers, there is edible cream-colored pulp.
The taste is very unique. U different people causes different taste sensations. Apparently because taste buds are closely related to the sense of smell. The peculiarity of this fruit is that before opening it practically does not smell, but after opening, after 10-15 minutes, a reaction with oxygen occurs and a very strong and persistent nasty putrid odor appears. Therefore, not many people decide to try it. So if you take a risk, do not buy already cut and packaged fruit, but ask them to open it right in front of you. Ripe pulp should be well pressed when pressed with a finger; if it is elastic, it does not have a very pleasant taste. It’s better to eat it with a spoon, because if you take it with your hands, it’s difficult to get rid of the smell later.
I definitely recommend trying it. Firstly, you will then tell that you ate the famous durian, and secondly, such an opportunity will not arise anywhere else, since the export of durian from Thailand is prohibited. It cannot even be brought into hotels and airports. True, those who want to treat friends can buy a permitted alternative - durian jam or chips. Most who have tasted freshly cut durian believe that its taste is nutty, cheesy, creamy, and strawberry.
Rich in microelements, amino acids and vitamins. It is very useful for manhood, but keep in mind - you should not try durian if you drank alcohol that day; there may be problems with blood pressure and heart. Roasted durian seeds are also eaten.
Interesting facts: Currently underway selection work to develop a variety free of unpleasant odor. Durian pickers always wear helmets, since a large fruit falling from a tree can easily kill a person.
Season – April – September, price – from 80 baht/piece, or from 120 baht/kg (butchered), not a cheap pleasure.
Jack fruit, jackfruit, breadfruit (Kha-nun)
A very large fruit, can grow up to 40 kg. How can trees withstand them? But the trees, however, match the fruit, grow up to 25 meters, and the fruits, by the way, grow not on the branches, but on the trunk itself. It is considered the largest fruit in the world. It looks like a durian, only the spines are smaller and not sharp. Inside there are many seeds in the form of lobes, surrounded by a soft pericarp. These are the ones that are eaten, after removing the seeds. The taste is sweet and cloying, vaguely reminiscent of melon. They are sold already cut and packaged.
If you choose a whole fruit, the main sign of ripeness is the soft spines. Jackfruit is also added to meat dishes, in salads, canned and made into chips. Dried or roasted seeds are also eaten. The peel is used to produce chewing gum. Wood is used to make boards, furniture and musical instruments. Latex is extracted from tree trunks. The fruits are rich in calcium, sulfur, phosphorus and vitamin A.
Season – January-September, price – from 20 baht per bowl of 6-8 slices.
Carambola (Ma-fuang)
The fruits are green or yellow in color and have a very unusual shape. If you cut it across you will get beautiful five-pointed stars. Often used for decoration various dishes. Ripe fruits are juicy, without a pronounced taste, a bit like a mixture bell pepper, pineapple, apple and kiwi. Moreover, the green variety is sweeter than the yellow one. Can be eaten with sugar or salt. Contains a lot of vitamin C and oxalic acid, therefore it is contraindicated for people with peptic ulcers. Carambola is used to make salads, juices and sauces, and added to meat dishes.
Season – May–December, price – from 40 baht/kg.
Kumquat
Probably the smallest representative of the citrus family, but at the same time very useful. Rich in vitamins, has bactericidal and antipyretic properties. It is quite difficult to peel, but you can eat it with the peel on. Compotes, preserves, jams, marmalade and jellies are made from kumquat, and candied fruits are made. Jam is good for colds.
Season – May-June, price – from 40 baht/kg.
Langsat, Longkong
In fact, these are different fruits, but from the same family. It grows in clusters, like grapes. The taste also reminds me a little of it. It only has a hard thin skin, under which lies a translucent sweet and sour elastic flesh. We can say that these are Thai seeds. Contains many vitamins. The seeds are bitter and inedible.
Season – May-November, price – from 40 baht/kg.
Longan (Lam-yai)
Practically the same as langsat. Under the skin there is juicy sweet pulp with an inedible pit. Translated from Chinese as dragon's eye. Longan makes a delicious compote; it is also often added to ice cream, and when dried it is eaten like raisins. It is not recommended to eat it at once a large number of longana – body temperature may rise.
Season – May-October, price – from 50 baht/kg.
Lychee
Similar to langsat and longan, only with a red and pimply skin. Has a pleasant strawberry aroma. They started growing it in Thailand not so long ago, so it is still quite expensive. They are consumed raw and canned, made into jellies, juices and wine. Used in cooking, production of cosmetics and household chemicals. Helps with anemia, good for digestion. You can't eat bones.
Season – April-June, price – from 60 baht/kg.
Mango (Ma-muang)
One of those fruits that are worth bringing from Thailand. The mangoes here are very juicy and tasty. They have a pleasant smell. They sell both ripe yellow and unripe green fruits. Greens are eaten with salt and pepper or added to salads. Many Thai dishes are prepared with mangoes, as well as pickled, juice, jelly, sauce and chips. The export of mangoes and pineapples brings good money to the Thai budget.
Mango is not only delicious, but also very healthy fruit, it’s not for nothing that many consider it the No. 1 fruit in the world. The fruits are rich in a large amount of vitamins, amino acids and microelements. It has a beneficial effect on the proper functioning of the intestines, heart and brain. On the road, do not take soft fruits, choose yellow ones, but quite elastic, they will ripen well later.
Season – January-June, price – from 45 baht/kg.
Mangosteen, Mangosteen (Mang-khut)
It is considered one of the most delicious fruits. If durian is the king of fruits, then mangosteen is the queen. Under the thick purple peel hide tender sweet and sour, similar in appearance to garlic cloves. In some there are bones. The bulk of the weight comes from the thick peel, so if you calculate the actual useful weight, it turns out that mangosteen is not only one of the most delicious, but also one of the most expensive fruits. By the way, monkeys also love mangosteens, more than bananas. Is a powerful antioxidant. Contains half of the periodic table.
If you are lucky with your things, pack them well, because the juice from the peel is very difficult to wash off. Choose fruits with hard (but not stone-like) intact peel. Very hard, spotty, dry peel or, on the contrary, too soft peel indicates that the fruit is already old and possibly spoiled. It’s better to eat it this way - cut it in the middle with a knife in a circle, but not all the way, you only need to cut the hard shell. Then divide the fruit into two parts with your hands. The pulp will end up in one of the halves. Mangosteen is used to make juice, wine, and is used in cooking and cosmetics production.
Passion Fruit (Passion Fruit)
Translated as the fruit of passion. It has a bright, rich sweet and sour taste. The fruit is cut in half and the jelly-like pulp along with the seeds is eaten with a spoon. The taste of passion fruit is familiar even to those who have never tried it, since it is part of the Multifruit juice. Good for vision, improves immunity.
Season – January-April, price – from 10 baht/piece.
Noi-na, Sugar Apple (Noi-Naa)
The fruit, the size of a large pomegranate, is light green in color, with a bumpy skin and white sugar pulp inside. The taste is very pleasant. You can eat it by cutting it in half and scooping it out with a spoon. Ripe fruits are quite soft to the touch. If you mix the pulp with coconut juice and freeze it, you get delicious ice cream. Noy-na is rich in vitamins, fiber, and contains virtually no calories. Can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. Don’t even try to eat the seeds - they are poisonous, they are even used to make insect poison and a lice repellent.
Season - June-September, price - from 50 baht/kg.
Noni
A very controversial fruit. Manufacturers consider noni juice to be very beneficial for health and say that it is a strong antioxidant. Helps in curing many diseases. A good remedy for weight loss, as it puts the metabolism in the body in order. Many generally consider noni to be a panacea for all diseases. Most scientists are not so optimistic and consider noni juice to be simply fortified fruit juice. And the Anti-Doping Committee generally included it in the list of prohibited drugs. Noni fruits themselves are rarely found on sale, as they have a bitter taste and bad smell. They are mainly made from them, which are sold in Thailand and in many other outlets.
Season – all year round, price from 250 baht/0.7 l. 100% juice.
Papaya (Ma-la-koo)
A fairly large oval-shaped fruit with orange flesh. In appearance and texture it is similar to a melon (the second name for papaya is melon tree), in taste it is more like boiled carrots. An unripe papaya has green and tough skin, a ripe one has golden yellow skin, and the fruit is slightly pressed when pressed with a finger. Useful for blood vessels, digestion, proper liver function, for people with diabetes and peptic ulcers.
Some people don't like the smell of papaya; it's easy to get rid of it by pouring lemon or lime juice over the pulp. Often served at hotels for breakfast. Unripe papaya is the main ingredient in the famous spicy Thai salad “Som Tam”, to which crab meat, fish, dried shrimp, garlic, chili, lime and spices are also added. Meat cooked with papaya will be very soft and juicy.
Season – all year round, price – from 25 baht/kg.
Sala, Salak, Rakam (La Kham, Ra-kum)
A very unique fruit. It has tough brown skin covered with small spines, so be careful when peeling. It is also called snake fruit because of its scaly skin, although some classify crayfish or snake fruit as a separate species. The white-yellow pulp has a strong aroma and distinctive taste. Cancer is useful for intestinal diseases.
Season – May-August, price from 50 baht/kg.
Sapodilla, Sapodilla (La-moot)
A brown, potato-like fruit with a thin, inedible skin. They don't eat the seeds either. The yellow-brown pulp has a sweetish taste of burnt sugar, beer root, honey and pear. It is better to eat soft, ripe fruits. Many people don’t like it because they taste unripe fruits, and they contain a high content of latex and tannin, which is not very pleasant to the taste. Latex is even extracted from tree trunks. It is better not to store fruits for a long time, as the smell becomes not very pleasant. Sapodilla is rich in vitamins and tannins, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and strengthens the immune system. You can puree it, jam it, or add it to a milkshake.
Season: September–December, price: from 30 baht/kg.
Rambutan (Ngaw)
Because of its appearance, it is perhaps the most unusual fruit. Red, furry hedgehogs, the size of a walnut, hide tender, sweet flesh under their skin. "Rambut" is translated as "hair". It tastes like sweet grapes. Rambutan is used to make juice, marmalade, jelly and even candles. Eating rambutans has a beneficial effect on the skin and also reduces the risk of cancer. Choose bright red (but not dark red) fruits with greenish hairs. Best eaten chilled. Sometimes on sale there is a fruit similar to rambutan, but one and a half times larger in size and not hairy. This is a palasan. It tastes like rambutan, only even sweeter.
Season – April-October, price – from 40 baht/kg.
Tamarind (Ma-kham-Wan)
Looks like bean pods. Having broken the hard peel, inside you will find sweet, viscous pulp with hard, inedible seeds. Tastes a bit like dates. Tamarind is used to make compotes, sweets and other sweets. There is a variety with sour pulp; sauces are mainly made from it. Has a mild laxative effect and reduces cough.
Season – all year round, price – from 40 baht/kg.
Tangerine (Som)
A variety of tangerine with green skin. It tastes like tangerine, only sweeter. Rich in vitamin C. On the streets they often sell juice from tangerines and tangerines, bottled in small bottles.
Season – August-February, price – from 30 baht/kg.
Chom phu, shompu, Rose apple (Chom-phu)
The fruit looks like a bell. It comes in green, red or pink. No need to clean. It has a slightly pronounced sweet and sour taste, crispy, very refreshing and quenches thirst if eaten chilled.
Season – all year round, price – from 45 baht/kg.
You can see about a dozen other unfamiliar fruits on sale, but they are quite rare, so we did not describe them in this article.
As for the season, if it is written, for example, January-May, this does not mean that this fruit will not be on the shelves in December. Of course it will, only in smaller quantities and for more money. Don’t really look at the price either, this is the price during the season and in good places.
Personally, I tried almost everything, but most of all I liked pineapples, mangoes and mangosteens. These are the ones I advise you to take with you to your homeland, and the dragon’s eye is also possible, because of its unusual appearance and name.
Video about fruit prices in Pattaya (May 2014)
This fruit is native to tropical America, but is also grown in Pakistan, India and the Philippines. The fruit is somewhat similar to a pine cone, its diameter is about 10 cm. The fruit, which has a slight custard taste, white flesh inside and a small amount of seeds
Mammea americana is evergreen tree, native to South America, has been artificially planted in other regions of the world, including West Africa and Southeast Asia. American apricots are actually berries that are about 20 cm in diameter. The berries have a thick outer skin and a soft orange pulp inside, as a rule, there is one large seed in the center, however, large berries there are about 4 of them. The pulp is sweet and aromatic.
Cherimoya, or custard apple, is a foliage plant native to the high mountain regions of South America. The fruit of the tree has a round shape with 3 types of surface (lumpy, smooth or mixed). The pulp of the fruit has a creamy consistency, very aromatic, white and juicy. The fruit is said to taste like a combination of banana, passion fruit, papaya and pineapple. Mark Twain said in 1866: “Cherimoya is the most delicious fruit known.”
Platonia is a large tree (reaches a height of up to 40 meters) growing in tropical forests Brazil and Paraguay. The fruit grows to the size of an orange, and when pressed, a yellow liquid begins to ooze from it. Inside the fruit there is white pulp enveloping several black seeds, which has a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
Cocona is another tropical fruit that can be found in the mountainous regions of South America. It grows on small bushes and grows very quickly: in 9 months you can get fruit from the seeds, and after another 2 months they will finally ripen. The fruits are very similar to berries and come in red, orange and yellow colors. They look very similar to tomatoes, but taste like a cross between a tomato and a lemon.
Breadfruit belongs to the mulberry family and is native to the Philippines and the islands of Southeast Asia. The fruits taste like bananas; they can be eaten raw when they are fully ripe; when unripe, they can only be eaten cooked. The ripe fruit is soft and sweet, the unripe fruit is dense and starchy, and it got its name because when the unripe fruit is cooked, it tastes very much like freshly baked bread.
Langsat or duku are two very similar fruits that can be found throughout Asia. They come from the same family, almost identical in appearance and taste, with only one difference. The langsat peel contains a latex substance, it is not poisonous, but it makes it difficult to remove, while the duku peel comes off easily. There are 5 segments inside the fruit, some of which contain several bitter seeds. It is a very sweet fruit that can be prepared in a variety of ways.
Dacryodes is an evergreen tree native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, northern Nigeria and southern Angola. The fruits, which range in color from deep blue to purple, are also known as African pears and are oblong in shape with pale green flesh inside. These fatty fruits were claimed to have the potential to end famine in Africa, as the fruit is made up of 48 percent essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and triglycerides. It has been calculated that from one hectare planted with these trees, 7–8 tons of oil can be obtained, and all parts of the plant can be used.
The Brazilian grape tree is a very strange plant native to the southeastern part of Brazil. The strange thing about this tree is the way it grows fruit. Initially, yellowish-white flowers appear all over the trunk and large branches, then the flowers develop into fruits, 3-4 cm in diameter. Inside the purple round shaped fruits there is soft gelatinous flesh with 1-4 black seeds. The fruit is very sweet and can be eaten plain; however, it is most often used to make wine or liqueur.
Rambutan is a strange looking fruit that looks like a fluffy strawberry. It is native to Southeast Asia, but is widespread in other regions, especially Costa Rica, where it is called the "Chinese sucker". The fruits, 3–6 cm in diameter, have an oval shape. The flesh is a little tough, but easily separates from the skin; rambutan tastes sweet and sour.
Known by many names, including large moringa, Indian mulberry, etc., this fruit is native to all of Southeast Asia and Australia, and is also widely cultivated in the tropics. The tree bears fruit all year round, but, as a rule, when the fruits ripen, the fruit has a very pungent odor. However, despite the smell, the fruit is rich in high fiber content, vitamins, proteins, iron and calcium, and is also a staple food in many countries Pacific Ocean. It can be eaten cooked or raw with salt.
Marula is a deciduous tree native to the countries of South and East Africa. It now grows throughout Africa, as its fruit is an important food source for the Bantu peoples, and the trees appeared throughout their migration route. Green fruit ripens and turns yellow, and the white pulp inside is very juicy and has a pleasant aroma. After falling from the tree, the fruits begin to ferment almost immediately, so elephants and baboons in these regions are often slightly intoxicated. The fruits are also used to make the popular Amarula liqueur, which can be found in any duty-free store.
Cloudberries are a North American west coast berry. It is found in humid forests and grows in dense thickets. The fruit is similar to a raspberry, however, its color is more orange. They are very sweet, they are eaten both raw and processed into juice, wine, candies and jams.
Snake fruit is native to Indonesia. They grow in clusters, and got their nickname because of the red-brown scaly skin that is easily removed. Inside are 3 white sweet “segments”, each containing small black inedible seeds. The fruits have a sweet and sour taste and the consistency of apples.
Bail, or rock apple, is native to India but can be found throughout Southeast Asia. Bail is a smooth fruit with a woody skin that is yellow, green or gray colors. The tough outer skin is so hard that the fruit can only be reached with a hammer. Inside is yellow pulp with several hairy seeds, which can be eaten fresh or dried. The ripe fruit is often prepared into a drink called sharbat, which also contains water, sugar and lime juice with pulp. You only need one large fruit to prepare 6 liters of sharbat.
This fruit is native to the lowlands of Central America and Western India. The undersides of the leaves of this evergreen tree have a golden color that is visible even from a distance, and the white or lilac flowers that grow on the tree have a sweet scent. The fruits are round in shape and violet shade, their skin is dense. If the fruit is cut horizontally, the star shape in the pulp is clearly visible. Fresh fruits have a very sweet and pleasant taste.
Carambola is fruit tree, native to the Philippines but native throughout Southeast Asia, East Asia, South America. The shell of the fruit contains five “ridges”, which, when cut longitudinally, look like a star, which is why the fruit got its name. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. When ripe, the fruit turns bright yellow and tastes very juicy and crispy.
Horned melon, also known as the African cucumber, is native to Africa but is now also grown in Australia, New Zealand and Chile. When ripe, the skin of the melon becomes covered with dense, pointed yellow spines, and the jelly-like flesh becomes bright green. The taste of the fruit is often compared to a banana. The fruit is good source vitamin C and fiber.
Pitaya, or cactus fruit, which can be found throughout Asia, Australia, and North and South America, was originally thought to be native to Mexico. There are two types of pitaya: sour, typically eaten in America, and sweet, found throughout Asia. The fruits come in red, yellow and purple colors, have a very pleasant aroma, and the sweet appearance tastes very similar to kiwi.
Miracle fruit, or sweet berries, are very strange berries native to West Africa. What makes these fruits strange? The fruits contain large quantities of the sugar substitute miraculin in combination with glycoprotein. The fruit itself does not have a very sweet taste, but after a person eats it, the glycoprotein binds to the taste buds located on the human tongue and turns the taste of any product into sweet within about an hour. This way you can eat a whole lemon and it will taste like sweet syrup.
In the 70s, attempts were made to commercially sell the fruit as a dietary product, since it can transform any food into sweetness, without affecting the amount of calories consumed. However, it was not possible to achieve success in this field.
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