Thailand has a large variety of fruit on almost all the corners of this country. The country is definitely blessed with rich soil and a generous amount of sunshine. This has resulted in fruit with unique textures, scents, and flavors. This broad range of healthful and juicy tropical fruits has excited taste buds for centuries. Here are a few popular Thai fruits you should try if you get your hands on them.
Dragon Fruit: This beautiful looking fruit has become popular in the last few years. It tastes similar to kiwi and melon. It is eaten by peeling off the skin and cutting the inside flesh of the fruit into pieces. While it is an oddly shaped fruit, Dragon fruit (or Pitaya) is not only delicious, but it also helps clear out toxins in the body, as well as improve the digestive system, prevent memory loss, and provides nutrients to teeth and bones.
Durian: Durian, also called the “King of Fruits,” tastes delicious but smells disgusting. The flavor is a mixture of savory, sweet, and creamy all in one bite. It has been commonly described as a “garlic mixture with sugar in whipped cream.” The dots inside the fruit add an interesting texture. Inside the skin of the fruit is yellow meat. To eat it, you simply take out the meat and eat it. It is commonly mixed with ice cream or sticky rice to get a milder taste and is also used in shakes.
Custard Apple: Also called “Sugar Apple”, this popular Thai fruit looks similar to an artichoke, though it has a juicy and smooth flesh inside with a delightfully rich flavor. The white flesh of the fruit is sweet and is used in various drinks. To eat it, simply break it apart in sections; all you need to do it put some light pressure on it or simply cut it into pieces.
Rambutan: Wrapped in a thorny red with a tinge of green color, this well-known fruit is beautiful. These fruits are a little bit smaller than an apricot in size and it relatively inexpensive. It is commonly eaten for breakfast. It is simply peeled, and you can enjoy the white, transparent flesh that is sweet and somewhat acidic.
Mango: In Thailand, it is easy to find a broad variety of mangoes. However, ripe and sweet ones are the most popular for locals and visitors. When perfectly ripe, this fruit is juicy and flavorful. They can be eaten alone, but they are extremely popular in different types of desserts like Sticky rice. Thai people love to soak mango slices in coconut milk and eat it with rice. Mango can be made into a smooth or simply cut into slices. It really is delicious in any form.
Zalacca: Zalacca (Snake Fruit) is another popular fruit that grows in bunches. It has scaly skin with reddish-brown texture and is roughly the same size as a ripe fig. It is peeled by pinching the tip. On the inside, the fruit has three sections and each portion has a big edible seed. These are typically bigger in size and look similar to garlic cloves. The taste is usually sweet, and it is acidic.
Young Coconut: A wonderful health bomb, coconut in Thailand is liked by many fruit lovers due to its list of benefits. For example, coconut improves your metabolism, kills bacteria, hydrates the body, regulates blood sugar, fights infections and lowers cholesterol level. It is very refreshing, nutty and slightly sweet with beneficial antibiotic properties.
Treat your taste buds to these unique fruits!