Rambutan

The rambutan belongs to the same plant family as the lychee and grows on an evergreen, 10-20m high, bushy tree. The fruit is oval to round, plum-sized, 3-8cm long and 2.5-5cm thick. Its skin is 2-4mm thin and covered in thin pliable spines. The appearance of the pulp reminds strongly of the lychee. The flesh of the rambutan is milky-sweet, very juicy and tastes refreshingly sweet and sour. It is rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium and iron, and contains 20-45mg% vitamin C. In the core of the fruit, an oblong small seed kernel is found.

Originally at home in the warm-humid regions of the Malayan Archipelago, this tropical plant is now cultivated in many tropical countries, such as Thailand, tropical Africa, Madagascar, Northern South America, Costa Rica, Honduras, Cuba and Australia. Main grower is Thailand.