Six Exotic Thai Fruits You Should Try At Least Once in Your Life
Thailand is known for its rich traditions, biodiversity, and wildlife. It’s a place where culture thrives, and trade and tourism flourish. One of the reasons tourists love coming back is the abundance of delicious fruits. You’ll find the famous mango sticky rice almost everywhere in Thailand, from markets to street stalls.
But what makes Thailand truly special is its exotic fruits, offering a tasty adventure for food lovers. If you’re up for trying something new, here are some of the best exotic fruits you should taste at least once in your life. While not all of these fruits are native to Thailand, you can still find most of them there.
Lanzones
Originally from Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, lanzones is a beloved fruit known for its sweet taste. It grows on trees in the Meliaceae family, with thin, pale brown skin. It forms in bunches like grapes, and you can easily peel the skin with your fingers, making it an ideal snack whenever you’re craving something sweet.
Just be careful not to eat the middle part, as it contains bitter seeds. The best time to enjoy it is from July to October, which is the lanzones season in Thailand.
Tamarind
Tamarind, known for its sour taste, is abundant in Thailand and is commonly used in chili sauces and popular Thai dishes like pad thai and tom yum. This versatile fruit varies in sourness, ranging from sweet and sour to intensely tangy, and can be transformed into various forms such as drinks, snacks, and even candies. There’s no particular season for tamarind as it is available year-round and can be bought in markets in Thailand.
Camu Camu
While native to the Amazon rainforests of Peru and Brazil, Camu Camu can also be discovered in the forests of Thailand. This exotic fruit is rich in various nutrients, such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, fatty acids, protein, and potassium, among others. Although people often utilize camu camu for ailments like the common cold and fatigue, there is limited scientific evidence to substantiate these claims.
Loquat
Originally from China, the loquat fruit has spread to many nations and thrives in places like Georgia, Armenia, Afghanistan, Australia, and Thailand, among others. This fruit is recognized as a large evergreen shrub or tree cultivated for its orange fruit and its leaves, which are used to make herbal tea. In terms of taste, it is described as citrusy as it is packed with vitamins that can help reduce body inflammation. Loquat is abundant in Thailand from October to November.
Durian
One of the most popular exotic fruits in Southeast Asia is durian. Native to tropical Asia, particularly believed to have originated from either Malaya or Borneo, the durian is a highly prized fruit known for its distinctive taste and smell. This fruit features a spiky green husk, and when opened, reveals creamy yellow flesh with big seeds. It’s widely available in Thailand, especially during its peak season from May to September. Despite its popularity, opinions on its taste vary widely, with some describing it as creamy and sweet, while others find its odor overpowering. Nonetheless, it remains a must-try for anyone visiting Thailand.
Buddha’s Hand
Originally from India and widely cultivated in China and other parts of East Asia, Buddha’s Hand is an exotic fruit divided into finger-like sections that resemble the fingers of Buddha statues. Featuring yellow skin, this exotic fruit is believed to help with menstrual pains and gastrointestinal problems, as well as reduce inflammation in the stomach. Moreover, it also contains antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
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