Food from The Philippines: Rambutan (fruit)
by The Longest Way Home ~ June 21st, 2010. Filed under: Great food from around the world.Rambutan Fruit
The white fruit of Rambutan (click to enlarge)
Rambutan is one of the most popular fruits in South East Asia, including The Philippines.
It’s not hard to see why either. Outside the Rambutan fruit looks like a golf ball sized red & green porcupine. The spiky bits are not at all hard nor prickly. They are soft and allow you to easily reach in with your two thumbs and crack the firm but easy to break skin open.
Inside a firm white gel like fruit awaits. Inside this there is a small soft wood like seed, it’s tasteless and should be spat out.
The firm soft white rambutan fruit itself is quite sweet and not so filling. Meaning, you can eat a lot!
Depending on the season or harvest, you can also get super juicy sweet rambutan which are really worth getting your hands on. The one’s photographed here are from Davao, where it’s argued the best rambutan comes from in The Philippines.
Rambutan fruit from Davao (click to enlarge)
It’s a really easy fruit to grow, and prices are very low. I bought two kilos for under $0.60. It’s even cheaper out in the countryside. Rambutan is also a great thing to bring back to your guesthouse to get everyone smiling and thinking you are the nicest person of the day!
Tip: If you do go to a market and buy Rambutan, make sure to keep it tied up in a plastic bag, and / or in the bathroom basin. Big ants love rambutan and are often found on the fruit!
These ants are harmless and don’t bite. But they will tell all their friends you have a stash of their favorite fruit hiding in your room!
Tip 2: If you have air-conditioning try leaving some rambutan out in a bowl for a a couple of days. The skin will start to dry. Just as it does, the fruit inside is at its juiciest and sweetest! Just be careful you don’t leave it out too long!
This is an additional post and one of a series highlighting Great food from the Philippines
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June 21st, 2010
That’s a strange looking fruit?! Looks like candy!
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June 21st, 2010
This is arguably one of the best fruits around. I’m really surprised how cheap it is in Philippines.
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The Longest Way Home Reply:
June 21st, 2010
-Renny- Yep, a little strrange, but very nice.
-yee- Maybe it’s the season that makes it so cheap. But again today I saw it for the same price. Easy to over indulge
-Milt- Chohm-poo fruit? Hard to get info on that. Anyone? Is it the Java apple?
-Ivy- It’s good alright. Next few weeks will tell
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June 21st, 2010
Absolutely Delicious ! close favorite to Chohm-poo fruit another fave of mine.
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June 21st, 2010
Nice, nice …
bet you’re going to stay!
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June 21st, 2010
One of my favorites!! When I lived in Thailand I had a daily ritual that involved walking to a local market for a kilo of rambutan which I would eat during the morning.
Although I’d never heard of the air-conditioning trick, I’ll have to give that a try next time.
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The Longest Way Home Reply:
June 22nd, 2010
-Earl- It’s a good breakfast alright. Enjoy the air-conditioning tip, it really makes a difference!
-jessiev- Do! You will enjoy these
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June 21st, 2010
not had it YET!!! i think we need to plan a trip.
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June 23rd, 2010
i love rambutan !!! and mangosteens! they are a bit like rambutan only yummy-er
if you havn’t already you should try it but dont wear white…the juice stains 
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The Longest Way Home Reply:
June 24th, 2010
-riko- Since you asked for them, they are on the way!
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June 24th, 2010
[...] Shannon’s eye-opening story reminds us of why it may be a good idea to carry around our passports (or at least a photocopy) instead of leaving them inside our hotel/hostel rooms when we travel. As you’ll see, Shannon was lucky enough not to end up in jail, but there were plenty of other travelers in San Pedro, Guatemala who weren’t so fortunate. Blog: The Longest Way Home Post: Food From The Phillipines: Rambutan [...]
June 26th, 2010
Yum, yum. I love rambutan, and mongusten, and mangos and jackfruit!
I love SEA! Lived there for years!
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August 13th, 2010
Counting the days for my balikbayan trip with my family.and of course introducing and savouring those fruits with them which I missed so much.By the way we have Lychee here in Brazil and it taste like rambutan.Oh,my invitation for you to visit Brazil is still open…..
Keep up the good work,I recommend it to my boys for a good overview about Philippines prior to their visit.
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The Longest Way Home Reply:
August 13th, 2010
Thanks for the recommendation, they are always welcome to come have a look. Enjoy the Lychee! I am sure rambutan can grow in Brazil!
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