Though many Malaysian fruit are exported, there’s nothing like consuming it on this lovely South East Asian nation.
There are such a lot of issues to like about Malaysia.
I at all times carry a “must-eat fruit” listing with me in each nation I go to. However I used to be shocked at what number of fruits in Malaysia I had by no means tried and even heard about.
What’s fascinating about Malaysia is that it’s principally a rustic cut up into two: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
They’re separated by 400 miles of the South China Sea however even that brief distance could make such a distinction what sort of meals is produced.
To date I’ve solely visited Peninsular Malaysia however the unique East Malaysia is on my listing. It’s a bit harder to succeed in however I believe will probably be price it.
A few of these fruits I ate in Malaysia and different extra uncommon fruits are nonetheless on my want listing. However I’m decided to seek out them!
Malaysian Fruit You’ll Love
1. Ciku | Sapodilla
Ciku is a spherical, brown Malaysian fruit with a leathery exterior and a candy, creamy inside stuffed with black seeds.
Like many South East Asian fruit, you’ll additionally discover them in Latin America. Ciku is quite common within the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
It’s considered one of my favourites as a result of it doesn’t style like a typical fruit.
I first found this fruit in Mexico as chico zapote and was shocked it had a malt flavour or brown sugar.
Scientific Title: Manilkara zapota
Different Frequent Names: chicozapote, chicoo, chicle, naseberry,, nispero, sapote, soapapple
Dietary Advantages: Ciku is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Cikul Season in Malaysia: October to December
2. Dukong | Langsat
Langsat is a small, spherical fruit with a skinny, yellow or brown pores and skin and a candy, juicy inside stuffed with small seeds.
But langsat is completely different from duku and longkong though they appear related.
Langsat has a skinny pores and skin. Duku has a thicker pores and skin and have completely different sorts of sap and ranges of stickiness.
It tastes like a tart grape, nearly as if a little bit of pomelo or grapefruit was added.
You actually need to know your fruits in Malaysia nicely to have the ability to inform the distinction. I don’t however I like all of those fruits so it’s okay!
Scientific Title: Lansium parasiticum
Different Frequent Names: lanzones or longkong
Dietary Advantages: Langsat is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Langsat Season in Malaysia: Could to August
3. Cempedak | Chempedak
Cempedak is a big, inexperienced or yellow Malaysian fruit with a spiky exterior and a candy, fleshy inside stuffed with giant seeds.
It’s in the identical household as breadfruit and jackfruit. And it’s additionally giant so within the markets they normally break it down into smaller items.
The flavour is exclusive. It tastes like a mango however with some funkiness of durian.
Scientific Title: Artocarpus integer
Different Frequent Names: Bangkong, Champedah, Chempedak, Chempedak Utan
Dietary Advantages: Could to August
Cempedak Season in Malaysia: Cempedak is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
4. Duku
Duku is a small, spherical fruit with a skinny, yellow or brown pores and skin and a candy, juicy inside stuffed with small seeds.
It may be complicated as a result of duku can be generally translated to langsat in English. The scientific names for duku and dukong present they’re from the identical household however completely different.
Because of this these fruits in Malaysia are referred to as two various things in Malay: duku and dukong with duku being the sweeter of the 2
Scientific Title: Lansium domesticum
Different Frequent Names: Langsat, Langsat Hutan
Dietary Advantages: Duku is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Duku Season in Malaysia: Could to August
5. Nangka Madu | Honey Jackfruit
Nangka madu is a small-ish, yellow or orange fruit with a candy, juicy inside and a big seed.
From the jackfruit household it is extremely in style in locations like Australia because it’s a smaller fruit than conventional jackfruit and really candy.
The fruit is normally eaten by chopping it open and eradicating the flesh from across the seed.
The flesh will be eaten uncooked or utilized in desserts corresponding to ice cream or desserts.
Nangka madu is an efficient supply of vitality and helps to enhance digestion and increase the immune system.
It is usually wealthy in antioxidants and may help to decrease blood stress and scale back the danger of coronary heart illness.
Scientific Title: Artocarpus heterophyllus
Different Frequent Names: Jack, Jak, Jake Tree
Dietary Advantages: Nangka madu is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Nangka Madu Season in Malaysia: March to June
6. Salak / Snake Fruit
Salak is a small, brown Malaysian fruit with a scaly exterior and a candy, crunchy inside stuffed with black seeds.
It’s most frequently eaten uncooked. The pores and skin is scaly and skinny, nearly like fish pores and skin however straightforward to peel off and value it. Salak tastes like a fruit cocktail of banana, apple and strawberry.
It’s from Indonesia however has traveled far and broad.
I first found salak as an Ecuadorian fruit within the Amazon the place they boil unripe fruit to eat.
Scientific Title: Salacca zalacca
Different Frequent Names: Salak palm, snake-fruited palm, snake-skinned fruit, Bali salak palm
Dietary Advantages: Salak is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Salak Season in Malaysia: Could to August
7. Kedondong
Kedondong is a small, yellow or inexperienced fruit concerning the dimension of a pear however they style like mango and pineapple.
Also referred to as ambarella, these fruits in Malaysia originated in Polynesia however had been dropped at Asia.
Within the late 1700s they had been dropped at Jamaica, not solely changing into one of many hottest Jamaican fruits but additionally unfold all through the Caribbean and Latin America.
Scientific Title: Spondias dulcis
Different Frequent Names: Ambarella, Golden Apple, Nice Hog Plum, Otaheite Apple, Jew Plum, Yellow Plum
Dietary Advantages: Buah kedondong is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Buah Kedondong Season in Malaysia: Could to August
8. Buah Delima | Pomegranate
Buah delima is a spherical, pink Malaysian fruit with a troublesome, leathery exterior and a juicy, tart inside stuffed with seeds.
Pomegranate is initially from the area that’s now Iran, south-west Pakistan and a part of Afghanistan.
Immediately it’s discovered all through the world and generally known as granada fruit in Chile.
In Iranian Christianity, pomegranate can be believed to be the actual forbidden fruit. It’s widespread in Rosh Hashana meals and also you’ll discover it in Holi meals in India.
You don’t eat the fruit in Malaysia however as a substitute the seeds.
Buah delima is an efficient supply of antioxidants and may help to cut back irritation and decrease levels of cholesterol.
It is usually believed to have anti-cancer properties and might enhance digestion.
Scientific Title: Punica granatum
Different Frequent Names: Anar, Ganada, Granatapfel, Grenade, Melograno, Nar, Romã
Dietary Advantages: Buah delima is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Buah Delima Season in Malaysia: August to November
9. Rambai
Rambai is a small, spherical fruit with a inexperienced or yellow pores and skin and a candy, juicy inside stuffed with small seeds.
This Malaysian is a native fruit in Indonesia, Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. It now additionally develop in northern Australia and China.
Scientific Title: Baccaurea motleyana
Different Frequent Names: Asam Lambun, Mafai-farang (Thailand), rambi,
Dietary Advantages: Buah rambai is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Buah Rambai Season in Malaysia: It’s eaten recent and is in season from June to August.
10. Jentik-Jentik | Lempoang
Jentik-jentik is a small, pink or yellow fruit with a candy, juicy inside and a big seed.
It’s eaten recent.
This Peninsular Malaysia fruit additionally grows in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. It thrives in lowland rainforest areas however is eaten extra as a wild fruit because it’s fairly bitter. It usually wants sugar or salt.
Scientific Title: Baccaurea lanceolata
Different Frequent Names:
Dietary Advantages: Jentik-jentik is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Jentik-Jentik Season in Malaysia: June to August
11. Tarap
Tarap is a big, inexperienced or brown Malaysian fruit with a spiky exterior and a candy, fleshy inside stuffed with giant seeds.
It’s native to jap Malaysia, Borneo, Brunei and Kalimantan in Indonesia. It’s an in depth cousin to jackfruit.
The scientific identify makes use of odoratissimus and that’s as a result of it’s a smelly Malaysia fruit.
It’s not as unhealthy as durian however it smells like propane or diesel when ripe. I haven’t tried it but however they are saying it’s higher than jackfruit and tastes a bit like creamy banana.
Scientific Title: Artocarpus odoratissimus
Different Frequent Names: marang, madang, timadang, terap, tarap, kiran, inexperienced pedalai, or johey oak
Dietary Advantages: Buah tarap is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Tarap Season in Malaysia: Could to August
12. Terung Dayak | Bushy Fruited Eggplant
Terung dayak is a small, purple fruit with a tart, bitter taste. It’s utilized in savory dishes and notably soup.
It additionally grows in Thailand, Indonesia and is a typical Filipino fruit.
Scientific Title: Solanum ferox
Different Frequent Names: Indian nightshade
Dietary Advantages: Terung dayak is excessive in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.
Terung Dayak Season in Malaysia: Could to August
13. Betik / Papaya
Papaya is the nationwide fruit of Malaysia. I believe this shocks many Malaysians as there are such a lot of different distinctive fruits however it’s fruit.
Papaya is a tropical fruit with a mushy, candy flesh and a barely musky taste. It’s normally eaten when ripe and has a vivid orange coloration and a mushy texture.
I actually battle with the feel of papaya. Generally it’s too mushy and has a smelly ft flavour. However I really like this fruit in Malaysia.
It’s in all probability as a result of papaya is used so some ways right here, together with salads, curries, and desserts.
Enjoyable truth: all through Latin America this Malaysia fruit is called papaya. Besides one nation! The Cuban fruit is called fruta bomba as a result of papaya is a slang time period for feminine genital’s in Cuba
Papaya has anti-inflammatory properties and should assist to cut back the danger of coronary heart illness. Locals imagine it helps with sure varieties of most cancers.
Additionally, it’s low in energy and should assist to advertise wholesome pores and skin and hair.
Scientific Title: Carica papaya
Different Frequent Names: Betek, Fruta Bomba, Pawpaw, Melon Tree, Ketalah
Dietary Advantages: Papaya is excessive in vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. It is usually supply of fiber and accommodates an enzyme referred to as papain, which might support in digestion.
Betik Season in Malaysia: All yr spherical
14. Sukun | Breadfruit
Sukun is a big, inexperienced or yellow fruit with a spiky exterior and a starchy, potato-like inside. It’s utilized in savory dishes.
I first found once I visited the Breadfruit Institute in Maui. There are such a lot of scrumptious fruit in Hawaii however this one is particular.
In Hawaii sukun is called ulu they usually imagine that it might assist with starvation world wide.
There are over 150 varieties world wide. It could possibly principally substitute any sort of starch and has extra vitamins.
When cooked it tastes like bread. However I’ve additionally had it over ripe the place it is sort of a creamy pudding.
Scientific Title: Artocarpus altilis
Different Frequent Names: Kulur, Kelor, Suku, Ulu
Dietary Advantages: Buah sukun is excessive in carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium.
Sukun Season in Malaysia: Could to August
15. Buah Pala | Jackfruit
Buah pala is a big, inexperienced or yellow fruit with a spiky exterior and a candy, fleshy inside stuffed with giant seeds.
Initially from India’s Western Ghats jackfruit is the biggest edible fruit on the planet.
Don’t fear you don’t have to purchase a whole jackfruit. In markets they break it up into smaller items.
Yow will discover jackfruit in savory curries and it’s scrumptious uncooked. I first tried this fruit in Vietnam when my guesthouse host broke off a big piece.
And I used to be hooked. It tastes like mango, pineapple and banana combined collectively.
Scientific Title: Artocarpus heterophyllus
Different Frequent Names: Jack, Jak, Jake Tree, Yaca
Dietary Advantages: Buah pala is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Buah Pala Season in Malaysia: Could to August
16. Buah Merah | Crimson Fruit
Buah merah is a uncommon pink fruit with a tart, bitter taste. It’s utilized in savory dishes.
Additionally present in Papua New Guinea and Papua Indonesia these fruits in Malaysia are sometimes ready by splitting it, wrapping it in leaves, and cooking it in an earth oven.
It’s just like a screwpine fruit, and appears like a protracted cylinder-like jackfruit, besides it’s pink.
Though it hasn’t been scientifically confirmed but however buah merah seems to assist with lung most cancers and inhibiting some tumors.
Scientific Title: Pandanus conoideus
Different Frequent Names: Kuansu, Buah Merah, Screwpine, Marita, Oil Pandan and Crimson Pandanus
Dietary Advantages: Buah merah is excessive in Omega 3,6 and 9 primarily fatty acids.
Buah Merah in Malaysia: Could to August
17. Keluak
Keluak is a small, black Malaysian fruit with a tough shell and a bitter, nutty taste. It’s a key ingredient in royal dishes in addition to in Peranakan delicacies of southern Chinese language immigrants.
The primary time I had keluak was exploring Surabaya meals in Indonesia, the place it was additionally an ingredient in royal dishes and nonetheless used as we speak.
I discovered it’s toxic if eaten uncooked because it accommodates cyanide.
However keluak has been cured for hundreds of years to make it edible. This fruit in Malaysia should be first boiled after which buried in ash within the floor to ferment.
Scientific Title: Pangium edule
Different Frequent Names: Kepayang, Pangi, Payang
Dietary Advantages: Buah keluak is excessive in protein, iron, and fiber.
Keluak Season in Malaysia: June to August
18. Buah Berangan | Chestnuts
Buah berangan is a big, inexperienced or brown fruit with a spiky exterior and a candy, fleshy inside stuffed with giant seeds.
These Malaysian fruits originated within the space of northern Borneo, Philippines, Sulawesi and Malaku in Indonesia.
Buah berangan appears to be like like a cross between a western chestnut and jengkol in Indonesia.
It’s eaten recent or utilized in desserts.
Scientific Title: Artocarpus sericicarpus
Different Frequent Names: GumihBulu
Dietary Advantages: Buah berangan is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Buah Berangan Season in Malaysia: June to August
19. Jambu Batu | Guava
Jambu batu is a spherical, crunchy fruit with a white or pink inside and a skinny, edible pores and skin.
They’re usually mistakenly known as Brazilian fruits due to the widespread identify Brazilian white guava.
However guava is initially from southern Mexico and Central America the place the pink inside is extra widespread however white and yellow additionally exist.
Jambu batu is good like a strawberry with only a contact of bitter. It’s very refreshing.
Jambu batu is low in energy and excessive in antioxidants, which may help to guard the physique in opposition to free radical harm.
It is usually supply of water and may help to maintain the physique hydrated.
Scientific Title: Psidium guajava
Different Frequent Names: Apple Guava, Jambu Biji, Jambu Kampuchia, Yellow Guava
Dietary Advantages: Jambu batu is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Jambu Batu Season in Malaysia: March to June.
20. Cermai | Malay Gooseberry
Cermai is a small, inexperienced fruit with a tart, bitter taste. It’s eaten recent or utilized in cooking with a whole lot of sugar.
It appears to be like and tastes a bit like nance fruit in Guatemala however they don’t seem to be associated.
Nobody is aware of with certainty the place it originated however many imagine this Malaysia fruit is from Madagascar.
Cermai is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and should assist to cut back the danger of sure varieties of most cancers.
It is usually low in energy and should assist to advertise wholesome digestion.
Scientific Title: Phyllanthus acidus
Different Frequent Names: Arbari, Nation gooseberry, Malay gooseberry, Otaheite gooseberry, Star gooseberry, starberry, Tahitian gooseberry, West India gooseberry
Dietary Advantages: Cermai is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Cermai Season in Malaysia: Could to August
21. Buah Sentul
Buah sentul is a small, spherical fruit with a troublesome, brown exterior and a candy, juicy inside stuffed with seeds.
It’s generally known as cotton fruit due to its texture and has a flavour of apple and peach.
It’s initially from South East Asia, a treasured Thai fruit, however not at all times straightforward to seek out because the Philippines.
Scientific Title: Sandoricum koetjape
Different Frequent Names: Cotton fruit, Kechapi, Kecapi, Kelampu, Ketjape, Ketuat, Lolly Fruit, Crimson Santol, Ranggu, Santol, Sentol, Yellow Sentol,
Dietary Advantages: Buah sentul is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Santul Season in Malaysia: June to August
22. Belimbing | Starfruit
Belimbing is a yellow or inexperienced fruit with a star-shaped cross-section and a candy, tangy taste.
Though you’ll find it all through the Americas it originated in Malaysia, Indonesia and Southern China.
It’s additionally a typical Costa Rica fruit and located all through Latin America.
It may be eaten freshly sliced and has a citrusy bitter taste. In lots of instances sugar is required to fight the tartness.
Scientific Title: Averrhoa carambola
Different Frequent Names: Carambola, Caramba, Nation Gooseberry, Kamrak, Kembola,
Dietary Advantages: Belimbing is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Belimbing Season in Malaysia: Could to August
23. Buah Nona | Custard Apple
Buah nona is a big, inexperienced or yellow Malaysian fruit with a bumpy exterior and a candy, creamy inside stuffed with black seeds.
It’s eaten recent or utilized in desserts and is incredible in smoothies and ice cream.
Surprisingly nona just isn’t native to South East Asia however originated in southern Central America and into South America.
It’s associated to soursop and cherimoya.
Scientific Title: Annona squamosa
Different Frequent Names: Anona, Bullock’s Coronary heart, Custard Apple, Sugar Apple, Sirkaya, Seri Kaya, Sweetsop,
Dietary Advantages: Buah nona is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Buah Nona Season in Malaysia: June to August
24. Mata Kucing
Mata kucing is a small, spherical fruit with a troublesome, brown exterior and a candy, juicy inside stuffed with seeds.
It’s native to South East Asia however comes below many names. Unripe they style tart like a cranberry and grow to be candy when mature.
Scientific Title: Antidesma bunius
Different Frequent Names: Berunai, Bignay, Buynay, Buni, Chinese language Laurel, Currantwood
Dietary Advantages: Mata kucing is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Mata Kucing Season in Malaysia: June to August
25. Rambutan
Rambutan is a small, pink or yellow fruit with a bushy exterior and a candy, juicy inside. It’s eaten recent or utilized in desserts.
It’s considered one of my favorite fruits because it balances bitter and candy completely. Rambutan tastes like a strawberry lychee cocktail.
When shopping for on the market it might be offered in a bunch on branches. As rambutan doesn’t proceed to ripen after selecting search for a bunch of vibrant pink fruit.
And don’t hesitate to inform distributors which of them you don’t need.
In a number of markets a vendor thought she would possibly be capable of promote a number of the unripe fruit to an unsuspecting vacationer. However I politely pointed to the fruit I didn’t need.
If they’re on branches search for one of the best bunch.
Rambutan is initially from Malaysia and Indonesia however now broadly cultivated all through Asia and all through the Americas. For instance it’s one of the vital in style fruits in Panama.
Scientific Title: Nephelium lappaceum
Different Frequent Names:
Dietary Advantages: Rambutan is excessive in vitamin C, iron, and fiber.
Rambutan Season in Malaysia: June to August
26. Durian
Durian is called the king of fruits.
It’s a big, spiky fruit with a pungent odor and a creamy, custard-like flesh stuffed with giant seeds.
This Malaysia fruit is so smelly there are indicators posted that you simply can not enter many buildings with it.
Durian is native to Borneo and Sumatra Indonesia. However as we speak it’s discovered all through South East Asia.
Malaysians take durian critically. Within the video above I visited a durian vendor who had ore than 20 varieties.
We bought the most affordable fruit for $12 and it was scrumptious however extra uncommon varieties value as much as 10 instances extra.
It’s arduous to say what durian tastes like as a result of there are such a lot of varieties. I choose the yellow fleshed durian that are extra fruity with a touch of funkiness. The white flesh are typically extra creamy and funky.
So should you strive durian as soon as and don’t prefer it simply hold attempting when supplied.
Scientific Title: Durio zibethinus
Dietary Advantages: Durian is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Durian Season in Malaysia: Could to September
27. Manggis | Mangosteen
Mangosteen is initially from Malaysia.
This Malaysian fruit is spherical, purple fruit with a thick, leathery rind and a candy, juicy inside stuffed with white segments.
Many vacationers are intimidated by mangosteen as a result of they don’t know learn how to eat it.
Merely put the fruit between your enlaced fingers and push down to use stress and it’ll break into two.
Peel off the leathery pores and skin and suck on the seeds.
Relying on the sweetness mangosteen tastes like lychee with strawberry and pineapple.
Yow will discover manggis all through South East Asia and within the Americas the place it’s a very fashionable Colombian fruit.
Scientific Title: Garcinia mangostana
Different Frequent Names: Mangosteen, Mesetor, Sementah, Semetah
Dietary Advantages: Mangosteen is excessive in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C.
Manggis Season in Malaysia: Could to September
28. Nangka | Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a big, inexperienced or yellow fruit with a spiky exterior and a candy, fleshy inside stuffed with giant seeds.
Though it’s nicely generally known as a vegan alternative for pulled pork in western delicacies, the Malaysian fruit is commonly eaten recent and tastes like a fruit cocktail of strawberry, banana, pear.
It’s additionally utilized in many savory Malaysian dishes.
It’s one other fruit that turned very fashionable within the Americas and one of the vital in style fruits in Nicaragua.
Scientific Title: Artocarpus heterophyllus
Different Frequent Names:
Dietary Advantages: Jackfruit is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Nangka Season in Malaysia: March to June
29. Nanas | Pineapple
Pineapple is a big, yellow fruit with a spiky exterior and a candy, juicy inside.
It’s discovered all through the world and is completely scrumptious in Malaysia as there are such a lot of varieties.
Scientific Title: Comosus
Different Frequent Names: ananas, piña
Dietary Advantages: Pineapple is excessive in vitamin C, manganese, and fiber.
Nanas Season in Malaysia: March to June
30. Jambu Air | Water Apple
Jambu air is a spherical, pink or inexperienced Malaysian fruit with a crunchy texture and a candy, refreshing taste. It’s eaten recent or utilized in salads.
It’s recent like watermelon and pear. And there’s a cause why it’s referred to as water apple or manzana de agua fruit in Costa Rica because it’s dense with watery juice.
Yow will discover this Malaysia fruit world wide, it’s generally known as the pommerac fruit in Trinidad and mountain apple in Jamaica.
Scientific Title: Syzygium aqueum
Different Frequent Names: Bell Fruit, Jambu Air Mawar, Jambu Chili, Java Apple, Jambu Ayer, Water Apple, Water Cherry, Water Rose Apple, Watery Rose Apple
Dietary Advantages: Jambu air is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Jambu Air Season in Malaysia: Could to August
31. Buah Kundang | Plum Mango
Buah kundang is a small, pink or yellow Malaysian fruit with a candy, juicy inside and a big seed.
It’s native to South East Asia and normally eaten recent. The feel is sort of a plum however it tastes extra like a mango.
It comes from the identical household as cashew fruit.
Scientific Title: Bouea macrophylla
Different Frequent Names: Gandaria, Maprang, Mango Plum
Dietary Advantages: Buah kundang is excessive in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Buah Kudang Season in Malaysia: June to August
Malaysian Fruit Photos: Rambai Tu7uh, CC BY-SA 3.0, through Wikimedia Commons, Terung Dayak Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, through Wikimedia Commons, Tarap (c)
CW Gan
