Thai fruits: name with description and photo

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Thai peninsula is famous worldwide for its rich variety of fruits. Not only watermelons, bananas, pineapples, tangerines and coconuts that are familiar to us grow here. But also such wonders as durian, dragon fruit, lychee, longan and others. Due to the warm sunny climate, Thai fruits and vegetables are harvested several times a year. They are widely available throughout the year and cost a mere penny. Thai fruits grow naturally, without the addition of any pesticides or chemicals. This makes them not only extremely tasty, but also very useful.

Thai diet is very diverse and includes a large amount of fruit. Various dishes with the addition of exotic fruits can be tasted in numerous cafes and restaurants. Thai fruits, the photos of which we present to your attention in the article, are also sold throughout the peninsula: on the streets, beaches and markets.

Tourists who visit this peninsula for the first time often find it difficult to make a choice in such a variety of exotic fruits. But it may happen that the selected fruit will surprise you with a strangeodor or s alty taste. Therefore, you need to know something about them in advance: what are Thai fruits called, how to peel them, what dishes they are added to and what taste they have.

Exotic hairy fruit - rambutan

Description of Thai fruits, we perhaps begin with this unusual hairy fruit. Rambutan grows throughout Southeast Asia. It is so loved by the Thai people that at the end of summer, locals hold a festival dedicated to the hairy fruit. The rambutan harvest season starts in mid-spring and ends in late autumn.

• Appearance and taste. The fruits of the hairy Thai fruit are small, light red in color with a round or ovoid shape. Its shell is covered with processes resembling hairs. Therefore, rambutan is sometimes called the hairy Thai fruit. The shoots may be green or pink. The pulp is glassy white. The taste of this he althy Thai fruit is slightly reminiscent of grapes, only much more aromatic and sweeter. Its juice is more like nectar.
• Useful properties. This Thai exotic fruit contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on the external and internal features of the body. It cleanses the body of toxins and toxins and has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face and hair. Eating this exotic fruit will help support the immune system and improve digestion.
• How to eat this exotic fruit? Before use, it is worth peeling the shell of rambutan, this is quite easy to do. Hiding under the skinwhite sweet flesh. Inside, rambutan has a small core, which is difficult to separate from the juicy pulp. The kernel of the hairy fruit is similar to that of the nut and can be eaten with only the skin removed. If you do not like the taste of the stone, you can put the peeled pulp in your mouth, and then spit out the core. In Thailand, there are many desserts based on hairy fruits. They are used to make jams and compotes. But fresh rambutan tastes best.
• How to choose? Fresh fruit can be recognized by the bright color and color of the shoots. Hair should be elastic and bright green. Dried and darkened hairs indicate that the fruit is old and may be spoiled.

Durian

The names of Thai fruits sound very unusual to us. Durian is especially puzzling. It is considered the king among exotic Thai fruits. It gained popularity due to its unpleasant smell and delicate taste. It is better to take a small piece for a sample, as the onion flavor of this fruit may not be pleasant. In Thailand, there are even places that are not allowed with durian. The season for this fruit starts at the end of spring and continues all summer.

• Appearance and taste. The color and size of a durian depends on its variety. Basically, the fruits are just huge, about 9-10 kilograms. Durian has an oval-round shape. The peel of the fruit looks like a shell and is covered with spikes, painted in green. Under the skin, the fruit is divided into several segments filled with pulp with several largebones. Its color ranges from yellow-white to dark yellow. The pulp of a ripe durian is similar in texture to a cream of custards. The unripe flesh is firm and firm. The fruits of the Thai durian fruit have a peculiar taste. The pulp is sugary-sweet with a vanilla flavor. But at the same time there is also the taste of rotten fried onions. The aroma of this fruit is so tart and nasty that it is recommended to try durian by pinching your nose with your fingers.
• Useful properties. The pulp of this fruit contains a huge amount of estrogens, which normalize the hormonal background in the female body. Durian also contains a great variety of vitamins and trace elements that can improve the internal processes of the body. Also, the fruit is considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Durian pulp is very high in calories and nutritious. But due to the high fiber content, the fruit will not damage the figure. Combined with alcohol, the Thai fruit durian can increase blood pressure and cause heart failure.
• How to eat? In direct sunlight, the pulp deteriorates quite quickly, so it is better to buy the fruit as a whole. And the thick skin of durian is best peeled with a sharp knife. The pulp extracted from the peel can be eaten with your hands or with a fork. The fruit is added to ice cream, fried with s alt and preserved.
• How to choose? Ripe durians should have dry, yellowish-brown spines. When tapped, a soft gurgle is heard. An important factor in choosing a good ripe fruit is the smell. The presence of a bright aroma in place of the tailtestifies to the freshness of the durian.

Dragon (pitahaya)

Another unusual name for a Thai fruit is pitahaya or dragon. Australia is considered its homeland, but it also grows well in Thailand. Fruit picking takes place throughout the year.

• Appearance and taste. Depending on the variety, Thai dragon fruit has a different color and fruit size. They are thick-skinned, covered with small green plates resembling dragon scales. The color of the peel can be light pink, beet red, yellow and others. In size, the pitahaya is quite large, oval-ovoid in shape. The flesh is white or pink with many small dark seeds. The taste of pitahaya is not very pronounced, it is sour-sweet, slightly reminiscent of kiwi. It quenches thirst well, as it is 80% water.
• Useful properties. Pitahaya is one of the best accumulators of vitamin C, as well as P and Ca. This exotic fruit is low in calories, rich in lipids, fiber and highly digestible. Therefore, it is recommended for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and increased body weight. For diabetics, pitahaya will help lower blood sugar levels. The antioxidants contained in this fruit slow down the aging process and the formation of cancer cells. The composition of the seeds of the fruit includes tannin, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the large amount of nutrients contained in pitahaya, its pulp is used as face masks andhair.
• How to eat? Pitahaya can be cleaned in various ways. Usually the fruit is peeled from the scales with a knife. The Thai dragon fruit is then cut into a couple of pieces and the flesh is eaten with a spoon. There are many yoghurts, sweets and cocktails based on dragon fruit, including alcoholic ones.
• How to choose? The peel of the pitahaya is dark in color with dull spots, indicating that the fruit is overripe. Fresh fruit should be bright in color, slightly soft, but not jelly-like. Dry leaves attached to the fruit are a sign of prolonged maturation after picking.

Green fruit

The green fruit or guava is one of the most popular fruits in Thailand. South America is considered its homeland. In Thailand, it is customary to eat unripe guava while the flesh is still firm.

• Appearance and taste. In appearance, unripe guava fruits look like a green apple. The pulp is dense, light green or white. Inside the fetus there are a large number of hard bones. Unripe guava has a sweet and sour taste. Ripe fruits have an elongated shape with a bumpy surface and are somewhat similar to avocados. The pulp of such fruits is colored light pink, it has a more plastic structure. The taste of ripe guava is sweet with a slight sour taste. The smell is subtle, almost imperceptible.
• Useful properties. It is advised to use Thai green fruit for young children and lactating women. Its fruits contain a balanced amount of vitamins and minerals. The systematic consumption of guava fruits will help increaseperformance of hormones and improve the functioning of the endocrine system. Eating fruits with seeds will help get rid of constipation and improve the functioning of the entire digestive system.
• How to eat? While eating this type of Thai fruit, you need to be extremely careful, as its hard seeds can damage your teeth. This fruit can be eaten with the skin as a whole, like an apple, or peeled and cut into slices. In Thailand, guava is eaten unripe, cut into pieces and sprinkled with sugar or s alt and pepper. Most often, this exotic fruit is consumed fresh. But sometimes they are used in salads and juices.
• How to choose? Ripe fruit has a yellowish tint. When pressed, the peel should bend slightly and quickly return to its original shape. Dark spots appear on overripe fruits.

Lychee (dragon eyes)

Dragon eyes or lychees used to be brought to Thailand from China. Nowadays, the fruits grow in Thailand. Harvesting of these fruits begins in mid-spring and ends in early summer. Therefore, the dragon eye is considered one of the most expensive fruits in Thailand.

• Appearance and taste. Lychee means "Chinese plum" in Thai. In appearance, this exotic fruit looks like a berry - round and smooth. Lychee fruits are usually red in color, sometimes they can have a purple hue. The peel of this fruit is very delicate, similar to the shell. Thai lychee fruit grows on trees in large clusters, so they are sometimes soldalong with branches and leaves. Under the skin of the lychee is a white glassy pulp. It is very juicy and flavorful. Inside the fruit is an oblong bone. If you cut the fruit in half, it will resemble the eye of a reptile, which is why the lychee is called the dragon's eye. The taste of the fruit is very unusual. He collected a combination of mint, citrus and grapes. The fruit gives a very bright taste sensation, even invigorating and refreshing.
• Useful properties. Even a small amount of pulp contained in lychee fruits will bring significant benefits to the body. In particular, it will normalize the content of glucose in the blood, improve the functioning of the liver and kidneys. The pulp of the fruit consists of complex carbohydrates, pectin, vitamins and minerals. Its use helps reduce blood cholesterol, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and reduce weight.
• How to eat? To eat a lychee fruit, it must be peeled with a knife from a thin peel. The bone is removed before use, as it has a toxic effect on the body. The fruits of this fruit can be consumed not only fresh, but also added to desserts, preserves and salads. Juices, compotes and even wines are prepared from lychee berries. In Thailand, these fruits are often dried, so they can be stored for a couple of months without losing their taste.
• How to choose? When choosing fresh fruits, please note that fruits can be of different types and varieties. Therefore, the choice should not be based on skin color. Fresh and tasty lychee fruit should have a whole peel, without cracks or tears. The fruit should feel full and elastic to the touch.

Fruit that looks like garlic

Mangosteen is an exotic Thai fruit similar to garlic. The harvest season starts in April and ends in September.

• Appearance and taste. Mangosteen fruits are medium in size and round in shape. From above, the fruit is covered with a smooth eggplant-colored peel. It is thick, bitter in taste, easily separated from the pulp, which is white in mangosteen, divided into parts that resemble cloves of mandarin or garlic. Bones can be found in large lobules. The taste of fruit cannot be compared with anything. It combines astringency and sweetness with light notes of acidity. Mangosteen fruits are consumed raw. Also, many desserts are prepared from this exotic fruit. It is canned and frozen.
• Useful properties. Mangosteen is widely known for its medicinal properties. It has antimicrobial activity. The dried peel is ground into a powder and used to treat skin infections. It has been proven that this fruit contains components that can kill cancer cells. A large amount of antioxidants helps the body fight the effects of harmful substances. Oriental healers prepare a medicinal decoction from the peel, bark and leaves of mangosteen, which helps to cope with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. The fruit itself serves as a source of dietary fiber and fatty acids. Its pulp is filled with vitamins and trace elements that strengthen the immune system.
• How to eat? There are many ways to free the mangosteen pulp from the peel. For example, just free from the top leaves and slightlyclick on the fruit. With this action, the peel of a ripe mangosteen will burst and release the juicy pulp. Many people use a knife when peeling, cut the fruit in a circle, and eat the pulp with spoons.
• How to choose? When choosing this exotic fruit, fruits with the size of a mandarin are preferred. Smaller fruits contain practically no pulp. The color of fresh fruit will be bright and saturated, the peel is smooth, without spots and cracks. You can take slightly greenish fruits, as the mangosteen is able to ripen. The number of leaves on the fruit usually corresponds to the number of lobules. When pressed, the fruit should be elastic and resilient. Dry dense skin is a sign of a spoiled rotten fruit.

Red fruit

Thai red apple or shompu - this fruit is not very popular with tourists, but it is found everywhere in the markets of Thailand. Shompa is harvested twice a year: in summer and winter. But red apples are on sale all year round.

• Appearance and taste. Shompoo is similar to apples with a pear-shaped, slightly elongated shape, pitted. The peel is smooth and shiny, painted in various shades of red. The taste of the red Thai apple is not very pronounced, it is tart and watery, with a slight sourness.
• Useful properties. The composition of the Thai red fruit includes vitamins such as A, C, calcium and others. Shampoo fruits contain a large amount of plant fibers and a small amount of calories, so they will fit well into the diet of people on a diet. Also, the fetus is able to reduce the level in a short time.cholesterol in the body and rid it of waste and toxins.
• How to eat? Shompa can be eaten with the skin, like apples. They use these fruits in their raw form, cook compotes and jams, prepare salads. In Thailand, red apples are sprinkled with s alt and pepper before eating. A slightly unusual way, but everyone who has tried it says that it is very tasty.
• How to choose? A red apple has a long shelf life, so choosing an unspoiled fruit is easy. The peel of the fruit must be complete and uniform, without spots.

Longan

Longan - this fruit is grown in all parts of Thailand, although China is considered its homeland. The longan season continues all year round.

• Appearance and taste. Thai longan fruit is similar to round nuts, about 2 centimeters in size. The color of this exotic fruit can vary from brown-beige to yellowish-red, depending on the variety. Under the thin skin lies a transparent pulp. Inside the fruit is a bone. This exotic fruit is very juicy and tasty. The taste of longan is slightly reminiscent of melon. It is very sweet and spicy, with sourness and a musky touch. But you should not use more than 5-8 fruits at a time, as this can result in indigestion. Longan stone is bitter and inedible.
• Useful properties. The high content of vitamin C in longan fruits improves immunity. Phenols, which are part of the fruit, protect the liver. This exotic fruit is a powerful aphrodisiac. It also has a calming effect and helps withinsomnia. The use of longan can normalize body temperature. Like other Thai fruits, longan contains a great variety of minerals, trace elements and vitamins. It is indicated for use by obese people.
• How to eat? The peel easily cracks when pressed and the fruits can be eaten. This fruit can be eaten fresh, but Thais believe that the real taste of longan can only be felt after cooking. In Thailand, it is added to salads, soups and desserts. Also, longan berries are often dried and used in the preparation of drinks and cocktails.
• How to choose? Most often, longan is sold in tassels collected in small bundles. Rarely, fruits are sorted into boxes. Therefore, when choosing this fruit, initially consider the longan brush. All berries should be the same color, not crushed, without spots, with a rough surface. Since the ripeness of a longan cannot be determined visually, it is worth tasting one berry. A sour taste indicates that the fruit is not ripe.

How to bring fruit from Thailand

Thousands of travelers fly to Thailand not only to sunbathe and swim, but also to enjoy bizarre fruits. But if you haven't had time to get enough of the exotic fruits of Thailand, you can bring them home.

It is allowed to export any fruit from Thailand, except for durian, as when the skin is damaged, it smells terribly. Airports have signs prohibiting this exotic fruit. However, resourceful tourists manage to smuggle it across the Thai border. If you don’t want to take risks, you can bring durian paste, cookies and sweets from Thailand. They are available in any supermarket and will not cause you any trouble during transportation.

To pack the fruits for transportation, you should buy specialized containers that are sold in any large store. They are, most often, plastic, with perforations and wheels. Each fruit must be wrapped in paper, because they will be carried in the luggage compartment. If you buy fruits in the market, the sellers can help you with the selection of fruits for export and their packaging.

Soft fruits are best carried in hand luggage. It is better to hand over fruits with a dense skin in luggage: pineapples, mangosteens and coconuts. Fruit can be transported in any quantity, you just have to pay attention to the weight limit of luggage per person.

But if you successfully exported fruit from Thailand, this does not guarantee that the fruit will come home. The Russian customs service often imposes quarantine restrictions on the import of various exotic fruits, and unusual cargo may be seized.

Thai fruits in Moscow

If you were on vacation in Thailand, enjoyed delicious fruits, but you didn’t manage to bring them home for your whole family, don’t be upset. You can try to find them in Moscow. Yes, indeed, just a couple of years ago it was almost impossible to buy mangosteen or longan in the capital. But now it will be easy to find any exotic fruit.

Exotic fruits can be found in any major supermarket. Some types of Thai fruits can be purchased in VietnameseChinese market. Especially since you now know how to choose and eat them correctly.

Gourmets who are not chasing ordinary Thai fruits, but are looking for rare curiosities (like durian), should turn to the Internet for help. In its open spaces there are many shops that sell any exotic fruits. Qualified consultants will help you choose the most suitable option, and if you wish, they can deliver it by courier directly to the apartment. For all those who have not been to Thailand, but want to try something exotic, the photos of Thai fruits in our article with the name, description and advice on their choice and use will help. Bon appetit!