5 Thai Fruits for a Sweet Adventure

Heading to Thailand? You're in for a treat, especially if you love trying new and exciting foods. Thai fruits are some of the most unique and delicious in the world. Here are five Thai fruits you've got to try when you visit. Don't worry, we'll keep it simple so you know exactly what to look out for!

1. Durian - The Love-It or Hate-It Fruit

Durian might just be the most famous Thai fruit of all, known as much for its pungent aroma as for its custard-like texture and complex flavors. Dubbed the "King of Fruits," durian is a love-it-or-hate-it experience. Its rich, creamy interior offers a taste that defies comparison, combining hints of almond, cheese, caramel, and garlic.

In Thailand, durian fruits are usually ripe for harvest from mid-April to September, with the highest yield in July. The fruits are picked when they're about three-quarters ripe. After that, each one is sorted and packed carefully for its journey abroad. During the peak season, trucks loaded with this fruit drive slowly through local areas while using a loudspeaker to let everyone know they have durians for sale.

2. Mangosteen - The Queen of Fruits

After the strong taste of durian, mangosteen comes as a refreshing change, and it's easy to see why it's called the "Queen of Fruits." It has a thick, purple skin with juicy, white pieces inside. The taste is a mix of sweet and slightly sour, very juicy, and reminds you of peach, strawberry, and lychee all together. Eating mangosteen can cool you down in Thailand's hot weather.

Mangosteen trees are found in many parts of Thailand, allowing for an almost year-round harvest. Nonetheless, the quality and price of these fruits are not as good when they're harvested outside their prime season. The best time to get mangosteens is approaching quickly. In Eastern Thailand, this period runs from May until June while in Southern Thailand it extends from August to October.

3. Rambutan - The Hairy Fruit

Rambutan, with its fuzzy exterior, might seem odd at a glance, but it's incredibly sweet and delicious when you give it a chance. All you need to do is peel back the striking red and green skin to discover a juicy, translucent fruit inside that brings to mind the flavors of grapes and apples.

Rambutans are typically enjoyed on warm days, especially during their peak season, from May to August. These months coincide with the rainy season in Thailand, when rambutans are at their best, bursting with flavor and readily available.

4. Dragon Fruit - The Pretty Pink Fruit

Dragon fruit lives up to its exciting name. It sports a bright pink skin with green spikes, making it look like something out of a fantasy (think dragons!). When you cut it open, you'll find white flesh sprinkled with tiny black seeds on the inside. Its taste? It's somewhat similar to a Kiwi but not as strong. While it's not overly sweet, dragon fruit is incredibly refreshing and adds a pop of color and flair to any fruit salad. You can eat dragon fruit in several ways such as eating it raw with a spoon, slicing it for a fruit salad, or using it in juices.

There's an abundance of dragon fruits during their peak season from June to October which leads to lower prices due to oversupply.

5. Longan - The Eyeball Fruit

Longan might look a little like an eyeball when you peel it (it's round and has a dark seed in the middle), but it's sweet and tasty. It's similar to lychee but a bit more floral.

Longans bloom earlier in Thailand than they do in other countries such as China, Taiwan and Queensland. The flowering season starts from late December and lasts until the end of February. The harvest period falls between late June to the end of August. Chiang Mai is known for its popular variety – a pink longan.

So, there you have it - five Thai fruits that are a must-try on your trip. Each one offers a unique taste of adventure, and who knows? You might find a new favorite fruit among them. Enjoy your fruity journey in Thailand!

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