Rambutans

I like lychees and rambutans, but usually buy the canned versions.

When at Trader Joe's today, I picked up a box of fresh rambutans (not cheap and they look very alien) after being enticed by a clerk who kept referring to them as tasting like "lie-chees."

I think lychees or rambutans make an interesting and tasty light dessert. How 'bout you?

And I've saved the seeds to see if I can get them to sprout.

Love em.

But after sprouting, what are you going to do with an 80 foot tree, Larry?

There's a fascinating website on this fruit at http://www.rambutan.com/

Regards, Bob

I like rambutans too, but have not seen fresh ones here in the U.S. Have only tried them in Southeast Asia. Where were these rambutans from?

cheers,
al

They're from Honduras, of all places.

After the sprouts reach 8 ft., I'll have to plant them outside in the north 0.1.

[Jenise]

Love them. At the Westin in Shanghai a few months ago, every morning's breakfast buffet included a huge bowl of fresh lychees already peeled and seeded. I had a bowl of them every day with my dumplings. Heaven!

We love them and lychees too. During lychee season, we can usually get them fresh at Talin Market on Louisiana in ABQ. But the rest of the year we eat canned.

Larry, fresh rambutans have only recently been permitted in the US -- there were concerns about the types of flies that live off the fruit. Thailand is petitioning for permission to export to the US, and Hawaii is resisting, at least as to imports into the islands.

I've read that Australia is also gearing up to raise them.

Interesting fruit -- I've only had the fresh ones in Asia -- and I don't really care for the canned ones. I'll search them out -- thanks for the lead.

I like lychees and rambutans, but usually buy the canned versions.

When at Trader Joe's today, I picked up a box of fresh rambutans (not cheap and they look very alien) after being enticed by a clerk who kept referring to them as tasting like "lie-chees."

I think lychees or rambutans make an interesting and tasty light dessert. How 'bout you?

And I've saved the seeds to see if I can get them to sprout.

Damn, I haven't seen a fresh one of these in nearly a century - or at least 35 years. Used to be available in some of the markets in Vietnam. Hairy little devils.

Interesting that they are from Honduras... I wonder if rambutans from SE Asia are still banned, similar to the mangosteen situation. Recall reading in the NYT not long ago that mangosteens from Central America can be brought in, but haven't seen any of those fruits on the market.

cheers,
al

There's so many exotic fruits that I'd like to try. I love their complex flavors. I've tried Durian candies, but never a fresh Durian. One of these days...

Love em.

But after sprouting, what are you going to do with an 80 foot tree, Larry?

There's a fascinating website on this fruit at http://www.rambutan.com/

Regards, Bob

Thanks for posting that very informative link, Bob. I had never heard of this fascinating and beautiful fruit until now!

I just remembered cherimoyas (aka custard apples) from Peru (and now California). I love that custardy fruit and its alien, reptilian appearance.

http://www.passion4fruit.com/105.html

I've tried Durian candies, but never a fresh Durian. One of these days...

Don't do it, Larry! Run far, run fast!

Aw, just do it. Try it at least once. Fresh durian is nothing like durian cake, candy, ice cream or any other confection (which are all too sweet IMO).

I like durian myself, but can certainly understand why other folks don't!

cheers,
al

I've seen fresh durian at our local asian market here in LV. They always have frozen ones. I've had them in SE Asia, liked them but wouldn't serve them at a dinner party.