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Rambutan

Inventory, 5 lbs : 0
This item was last sold on : 06/04/23

• 3 Featured Restaurants

• 35 ShareMarket®

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Description/Taste

Rambutans are small, oval to round fruits, averaging 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter, and grow in loose, hanging clusters of 10 to 20 fruits. There are many different varieties of Rambutan with unique appearances, ranging in color from red, orange, yellow to a blend of these hues. The fruits are enveloped in a semi-thick, firm, and leathery rind, covered in soft, spine-like protrusions known as spinterns. Underneath the rind, the flesh varies from white, translucent, to pale pink and is succulent and slightly chewy, encasing a central, oblong, light brown seed wrapped in thin, papery layers. Rambutans are aromatic and have a sweet, fruity flavor with mild acidity, containing subtle notes of strawberries and grapes.

Seasons/Availability

Rambutans are available seasonally, depending on the region, and are generally found in the fall and winter. In tropical areas of Southeast Asia, the trees fruit twice a year, while trees in Central America tend to only fruit for a single season.

Current Facts

Rambutans, botanically classified as Nephelium lappaceum, are exotic fruits with an unusual appearance found on evergreen trees belonging to the Sapindaceae family. The tropical fruits are a part of the same family as the lychee and are native to Southeast Asia, primarily consumed fresh, out-of-hand. There are over 200 varieties of Rambutans with varying colors, flavors, and appearances. The name Rambutan is derived from the Malaysian word “rambut,” translating to mean “hair,” and is a descriptor given for the fruit’s hairy, spine-like appearance. Rambutan cultivation is increasing worldwide as the fruits are valued for fresh eating, desserts, and flavoring beverages. The trees are prolific and can produce hundreds of fruits in a season. Rambutans are easily bruised and must be harvested by hand, cut in clusters to prevent the rind's tearing. Rambutans also have a short shelf life, limiting the fruit’s ability to be exported long distances. Beyond the fruits, Rambutan trees are considered an ornamental variety, valued for their color contrast between the bright fruits and dark green leaves.

Nutritional Value

Rambutans are a good source of copper to help maintain bones and nerves and provide vitamin C, an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation. The fruits also contain fiber to regulate the digestive tract and contribute smaller amounts of iron, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium.

Applications

Rambutans are best suited for fresh applications as their sweet flavor is showcased when consumed straight, out-of-hand. The rind can be sliced and opened with a knife or peeled by hand, and the flesh can be consumed raw, discarding the seed. The seed is edible, but it needs to be cooked before eating. The flesh can be sliced and mixed into fruit salads, used as a topping over sorbet and ice cream, or incorporated into curries and soups for added sweetness. The fruits can also be muddled into cocktails, simmered into a simple syrup, or cooked into jellies and jams. In addition to fresh preparations, Rambutan can be stewed or canned for extended use. Rambutan pairs well with other fruits such as coconut, pineapple, kiwi, and mango, aromatics including ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, and mint, honey, and meats such as poultry, fish, and beef. Whole Rambutans will keep for 2 to 3 days when wrapped in a damp paper towel and stored in a ventilated bag in the refrigerator. The fruits are prone to drying out and should be consumed immediately for the best quality and flavor.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Thailand is the largest producer of Rambutan, accounting for over half of the world’s supply, and cultivates the fruits for the fresh market and canning industry. Rambutans were first planted in Thailand in Ban Na San, a district within the Surat Thani province, in 1926 through a man named K. Vong. The fruiting trees were popular for their ornamental appeal and prolific fruit production, and over time, Rambutans became one of the province's top agricultural products. Rambutan production is also used to support increasing agritourism. To commemorate and celebrate the tropical fruit's economic impact, an annual Rambutan fair is held in the fall to attract residents and tourists. During the fair, farm tours, contests, beauty pageants, and parades are centered around the tropical fruit and marathons, cycling, and other athletic competitions are also held. One unique event of the Rambutan fair is a monkey agility demonstration. Surat Thani is known for its trained monkeys, who are primarily used scale palm trees to collect coconuts, and the primates are taught at a famous monkey school within the province.

Geography/History

Rambutans are native to Indonesia and Malaysia and have been growing wild since ancient times. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, experts believe Arab traders encountered the fruits through trade routes and introduced Rambutan into the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar, located off the coast of East Africa. The fruits were also spread throughout Southeast Asia, Oceania, and were later brought to South America in the 19th century. In the modern-day, Rambutan can be found worldwide, including tropical regions of Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii of the United States. The fruits are primarily cultivated in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, but they are also increasing in cultivation in Central America for export into the United States.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Edgewater Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-7581
Juan Tequila	San Diego CA	520-395-7565
Armonia LLC	San Diego CA	619-724-7210

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Rambutan. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Roxanang.wordpress.com		Sweet And Sour Rambutan Pork
YumSugar		Rambutan Martini
SolLuna		Rambutan Beauty Smoothie
Cook Almost Anything		Tropical Fruit Salad in Kaffir Lime Leaf Syrup
A Brown Table		Dragonfruit Pudding
Sornas Collection		RAMBUTAN PICKLE
52 Kitchen Adventures		Rambutan and Pineapple Curry
Cooking on the Weekends		Tropical Smoothie Recipe
Hot and Chilli		Dragon Fruit and Rambutan Mojito
Saveur		Summer Rambutan Curry

Recently Shared

People have shared Rambutan using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.

Tekka Centre 竹脚中心 Near Singapore, Singapore
About 34 days ago, 5/02/23

Sasoun Produce Near West Hollywood, California, United States
About 54 days ago, 4/12/23

H Mart

H Mart San Diego
9440 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126
858-577-0060
https://www.hmart.com/storelocator/index/index/id/6/

Near Poway, California, United States
About 56 days ago, 4/11/23

TTDI Wet Market Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
About 83 days ago, 3/14/23

Truman Waterfront Market

Truman Waterfront Market
Weech Way, Key West, FL 33040
1-305-731-3385
http://keysartisanmarket.com

Near Key West, Florida, United States
About 123 days ago, 2/02/23

taman buah mekarsari Near Cileungsi Kidul, West Java, Indonesia
About 143 days ago, 1/13/23
Sharer's comments : rambutan

TTDI wet market, Kuala Lumpur Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
About 144 days ago, 1/12/23

taman buah mekarsari Near Cileungsi Kidul, West Java, Indonesia
About 149 days ago, 1/07/23
Sharer's comments : rambutan

Pasar Chow Kit Near Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
About 170 days ago, 12/17/22
Sharer's comments : Jungle fruit fresh from the rain forest to Chow Kit traditional market Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia

grandlucky sudirman Near Jakarta, Jakarta Capital Region, Indonesia
About 173 days ago, 12/14/22
Sharer's comments : rambutan

AJ's Fine Foods Near Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States
About 177 days ago, 12/11/22

Pasar Besar Taman Tun Dr. Ismail Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
About 188 days ago, 11/29/22

Specialty Produce

Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
619-295-3172

https://specialtyproduce.com

Near San Diego, California, United States
About 211 days ago, 11/07/22
Sharer's comments : Rambutan

Whole Foods Market Near Sand Lake, Florida, United States
About 222 days ago, 10/27/22
Sharer's comments : Rambutan are available at Whole Foods Market in Orlando Florida