Don't be fooled by its outward aspect. Yes, I understand that it has the appearance of a Coronavirus cell. Don't be intimidated! It is a truly remarkable fruit. They also remind me a little of the spiky balls that fall from the American Sweetgum tree and land on the ground. We used to throw them at each other when we were kids, which was hilarious. In addition, they have the appearance of a sea urchin.
In this post, I will discuss the origins of the Rambutan and the areas where it thrives in the United States. Aside from that, I'll go over some of the health advantages as well as how to consume them and describe what they taste like to me.
It's time to explore the fascinating world of the Rambutan!
What is the origin of the Rambutan, and where does it grow in the wild?
The rambutan is a fruit that is a member of the Sapindaceae family of flowering plants, which is also known as the soapberry family of fruits. The lychee and longan are two other fruits that are members of the same family as the Rambutan and are closely linked to it. Three trees have the potential to reach heights of up to 80 feet.
Its origins are in Southeast Asia, where it is commonly cultivated in countries like Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, among others. When I lived in the Philippines, this fruit was my second favorite fruit after the Mango, and it was my second favorite fruit overall. In the late 1990s, I had the opportunity to relocate to the area for a couple of years.
The Rambutan can also be found in various parts of East Africa, India, and South America, among other places. If you're looking to grow them in the United States, the best spots to try are Florida, some sections of California, and Hawaii. Puerto Rico might also be a good fit for these products.
What are the health advantages of doing so?
The rambutan is a fruit that is extremely nutritious. Here are a few examples of the health advantages:
- Nutrient-dense and high in antioxidants.
- High in fiber, with approximately the same amount of fiber as in an apple, pear, or other fruit or vegetable.
- Vitamin C is abundant in this dish. 5 to 6 rambutans will provide you with approximately 50% of your daily Vitamin C need, according to the USDA.
- Copper is abundant, with only trace levels of manganese, potassium, iron, and zinc.
- It helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.
- In comparison to the amount of fiber it contains, it is quite low in calories.
What is the best way to eat a rambutan?
This fruit is very simple to consume. When mature, the classic kind of Rambutan will have a bright to dark red color with a yellow blush. They are overripe if they are black or have black hairs on their skin.
After washing the fruit, there are a few different ways to open them. Some people may simply bite on it to split the skin, which will then allow them to open up. In other cases, other people will use their fingers to bust the locks open for you. I normally just run a knife around the center of it to make it look neater. I'm not a fan of putting hairy skin in my mouth, to put it mildly.
Now all you have to do is bite into the ball of white flesh that has formed in the center. In the middle of the fruit will be a pit or seed, which you should spit out.
Although it is typically consumed raw, it can also be used to flavor fruit salads, curries, and desserts such as ice cream and sorbets.
What does the flavor of Rambutan taste like?
I think it looks like a giant skinless grape at first glance, and that's exactly what it is. Even though the taste is subjective, I find them to be incredibly sweet at times, with a trace of sourness in the background. There's definitely a hint of floral tropical flavor to it as well.
In terms of texture, it's a cross between a grape and a pear, or perhaps a cherry. It is soft and simple to consume. The taste of the seed is slightly woody when a piece of the skin falls off the seed.
They do have a flavor that is comparable to lychee. This makes it obvious given that they are both members of the same fruit family.
It's absolutely delicious. If you have never had one before, it is definitely worth your time. They are fairly affordable depending on where you reside. The majority of the time, I can acquire 20 to 25 of them for approximately $3.00.
