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(Durio zibethinus)
Local name: durian
The durian is the most popular local fruit and fondly regarded as the "King of Fruit". It's about the size of a football with a thick and fibrous husk covered by sharp spines.
The flesh or pulp is creamy, white, yellow or golden yellow which is strongly flavored and sharply aromatic. Often eaten together with the mangosteen.
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(Garcinia mangostana)
Local name: manggis
Commonly referred to as the "Queen of Fruit", the mangosteen is often eaten after a hearty meal of durians.
This delicate, globular fruit has a leathery, purplish-brown skin which encloses four snowy white segments of flesh. Mangosteen has a sweet pleasant taste and rich in vitamin C and essential minerals.
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Local name: rambutan
A very popular native fruit and a cousin to the Chinese lychee, the rambutan is named because of its hairy skin.
The yellow or red rambutan is rich in vitamin C and essential minerals. The translucent flesh is soft, sweet and juicy. The rambutan is a very refreshing treat in the hot, humid weather of Malaysia.
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(Artocarpus chempedon; A. integer)
Local name: cempedak
An exquisite native Malaysian fruit and a cousin of the Jackfruit, the cempedak is a favorite fruit of most Malaysians. The cempedak exudes a distinctly strong smell when ripe.
The waxy, golden yellow flesh is custard-like, juicy, sweet and has a pleasant smell. It can be eaten fresh, deep-fried in oil or processed into a refreshing juice.
The seeds are edible when roasted or boiled in salty water and have a nutty flavor.
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Local name: Belimbing
Starfruit or carambola is a refreshing and juicy five-angled fruit that has translucent attractive soft flesh with a distinctive flavor. Its deep ridges produce beautiful star-shaped cross-sections.
Starfruit is very rich in vitamins and essential minerals (especially potassium) and high fibre content.
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(Achras sapota Linn.)
Local name: Ciku
The ciku or sapodilla comes from Central America. The fruit is round or oval with a smooth brown skin when ripe.
The flesh is deep brownish hue with fine texture. It has a distinct sweet flavor to complement any dessert serving. Ciku has high vitamin and mineral content.
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Local name: Jambu batu
The guava is usually yellowish or yellowish green when ripe. This tropical fruit has a pleasant crunchy texture and a sweet-sour taste. It can be eaten fresh or blended and served as a refreshing juice.
Guava is a good natural source of vitamins C and A, and minerals such as iron, potassium and calcium. The fruit is packed with tiny hard seeds or almost seedless.
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(Artocarpus heterophyllus)
Local name: Nangka
The jackfruit which is rich in vitamins is a cousin of the cempedak. It is one of the larger tropical fruit popular in Malaysia.
The golden flesh around the seed is succulent and has a very distinctive taste. Some are very sweet and often compared to honey.
The seed is edible when boiled or roasted and is very nutritious. Unripe fruit serves as a vegetable in many local dishes.
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Local name: Betik
The papaya or paw-paw is very popular for its sweet and succulent flesh. The thick flesh can be yellowish or pinkish-orange. It is rich in vitamins A and C and high in calcium.
Papaya is a favorite breakfast fruit as well as a tantalizing dessert, especially when served chilled with a dash of lime. Try out the popular Exotica variety.
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Local Name: Mangga
The other "king of tropical fruit", Malaysian mangoes come in different shapes, sizes, textures and tastes. The pulp is slightly fibrous, succulent and firm.
Mangoes are eaten fresh or processed into a refreshing drink. It flavors ice-cream and cereals, and makes excellent pickle and chutney. It is rich in vitamins A and C.
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Local Name: Jambu madu
Unlike the sweet-sour and smaller water apple (Jambu air) that comes from the villages, the better quality fruit that is usually sold in fresh markets or supermarkets is popularly known as "Jambu madu" or "honey apple".
Jambu madu is sweeter and crunchier than the native water apple. It comes in many shapes, colors and sizes. Some are bell-shaped or conical, elongated or oval.
It has a smooth texture, spongy, juicy and high in vitamin C. The skin is waxy and delicate and has a shiny light green to a rich red or crimson color.
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Local Name: Limau Bali/Limau Tambun
The pomelo or pummelo is also known as 'Shaddock' and is the biggest of all citrus fruits. The locals called the fruit "Limau Bali".
Closely related to the grapefruit, the pomelo is divided into 10 to 15 segments of juice-filled sacs. It is usually sweet and juicy. Popular varieties are the Tambun pomelo and Shating pomelo.
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(Salacca zalacca)
Local Name: Salak
Known locally as salak, this exotic tropical fruit is little known outside Southeast Asia.
The conical fruit is brownish and the thin skin is covered with scales like a snake - thus its name, snakefruit.
The flesh is translucent, juicy and taste something like eating pineapple and banana together.
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Local Name: Durian Belanda
The soursop belongs to the same family as the more famous custard apple and sugar apple.
The fruit has a thin light greenish skin and bruised easily when ripe. The white pulp is rather fibrous and the soursop is more well known for its delightful sweet-acidic juice.
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(Citrullus vulgaris/lanatus)
Local Name: Tembikai
The watermelon is a very popular and refreshing fruit in the hot and humid tropical climate.
The flesh is pink, deep red or bright yellow. Some has small dark brown or black seeds and some are seedless. The chilled juice is a very soothing thirst-quencher.
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