Trying recent foods is probably the greatest parts of visiting Southeast Asia.
During the 2 years of living in Malaysia, I got here across dozens of fruits that I had never even heard of within the United States, much less tried. The most notable included durian – the so-called “king of fruits” whose smell is so strong that it’s banned from hotels – and rambutan, nature’s answer to the Koosh ball.
Nothing compares to tasting these exotic fruits for the primary time, but after only one bite you will understand why they’re so beloved throughout the region.
So, in accordance with Mark Abadi of Business Insider US, here is a listing of 14 fruits from Southeast Asia that the common American (possibly) had no idea existed:
DURIAN
The most characteristic fruit of Southeast Asia is durian. Malaysians call it the “king of fruits” and it’s a source of national pride.
Durain has an incredibly pungent taste and smell that many outsiders cannot tolerate. The late Anthony Bourdain once said of durian, “your breath will smell such as you’re French kissing your dead grandmother.
This fruit is banned in lots of Malaysian hotels.
MONGOSTAN
Speaking of forbidden fruits, Mangosteen is one other popular fruit.
It has a tough purple husk and soft, juicy flesh inside. It doesn’t stink from durian, nevertheless it is banned from many buildings since the rind leaves a purple stain on anything it comes into contact with.
HAIR
Rambutan comes from the Malay word meaning “hair”. Inside there may be a pleasantly sweet fruit that tastes a bit like red grapes.
SNAKE
Salak is usually called “snake fruit” in English resulting from its scaly surface.
The flesh will not be juicy like other fruits – it is far drier. It tastes sweet and barely sour, like a citrus fruit.
DRAGON FRUIT
Dragonfruit stands out for its psychedelic appearance.
The consistency resembles kiwi and the taste is barely sweet. Pink is commonly used so as to add color to cocktails and other drinks.
GO AWAY
Langsat is one other popular fruit in Malaysia.
Remove the skinny skin and inside you will see a transparent, juicy ball with a sweet and sour taste.
variegated breadfruit
From a distance, jackfruit looks like durian, only much larger – imagine two watermelons next to one another.
This fruit also doesn’t have a rotten smell. The inside the jackfruit accommodates dozens of pods with thick, chewy flesh – it is usually used as a meat substitute in cooking. Its taste resembles banana and pineapple.
variegated breadfruit
Another giant fruit from Malaysia is cempedak – pronounced with the sound “ch”. The pods contained in the cempedak are much harder than the jackfruit pods.
The flesh can also be much pulpier and creamier than jackfruit, although the looks is analogous.
TURN
Pulasan has a tough casing, nevertheless it is simple to interrupt.
Inside there may be a juicy ball with a posh taste, fragrant, sweet and barely spicy.
CAT’S EYE
Mata kucing is a Malay word meaning “cat’s eye” – no wonder when you open it.
Lychee
Lychee is an Asian fruit that many Americans could also be aware of. Malaysians often add lychee to iced tea.
WATER APPLE (WATER APPLE)
Jambu Air, or water apple, has a crunchy and watery consistency.
DUTCH DURIAN (SOURSOP)
And the taste of sourdough may surprise you – it’s thick, barely creamy and a combination of sweetness, sourness and musk.
ASIAN PEARS
Asian pears are crunchy and fragrant, and have an apple-like consistency.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.my/fruit-sutheast-asia-durian-2018-7/?r=US&IR=T
