With its diverse climates and landscapes, Asia grows some of the most interesting and flavorful fruits in the world. From the spiky, strong-smelling durian to the sweet and jelly-like persimmon, Asian fruits offer a unique taste experience for those ready to try something new. In this article from Asia Legend Travel, we will explore 15 amazing Asian fruits that you shouldn’t miss. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
Must-Try Asia Fruits: Durian
- Popular Regions: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam; with Thailand being the biggest durian exporter in the world (*figure for 2024)
First on the list of must-try Asian fruits is durian, often called the “King of Fruits.” Its thick, green husk with sharp thorns makes it look quite unique. Inside, the creamy, custard-like flesh is divided into segments with large seeds. The flavor is a blend of sweet, savory, and pungent notes.
While the creamy taste is delightful, the strong smell of durian can be a bit much for first-timers. Often described as a mix of honey, caramel, onions, and a hint of rotten eggs, the scent makes durian a love-it-or-hate-it fruit. This unique scent is also why durian is sometimes banned in public places and transportation in some countries. Despite this, many people absolutely love durian and consider it a must-try.
Mangosteen – The Queen of Fruits
- Popular Regions: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam; with Indonesia being the biggest mangosteen producers in the world (*figure for 2019)
Mangosteen is a must-try for any traveler exploring Asian fruits. It has a thick, purple skin that hides its juicy, white segments. The fruit looks a bit like a small, round eggplant. The flesh inside is smooth, juicy, sweet, and tangy, tasting like a mix of lychee, peach, and grape.
In terms of health benefits, mangosteen is not only tasty but also packed with antioxidants and vitamins. It’s also low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy choice. Some of its benefits include reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and aiding digestion. The delightful taste and health perks make it well-deserving of the title “queen of fruits.”
Rambutan
- Popular Regions: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam; with Thailand being the biggest rambutan producer in the world (*figure for 2024)
Speaking of exotic Asian fruits, rambutan is a tropical fruit known for its unique look. The fruit is oval-shaped and covered in a hairy, red or yellow husk, which is why it’s called “hairy” in Malay. Inside, you’ll find juicy, translucent flesh that tastes sweet and refreshing, a bit like a mix of grapes and lychee. Rambutan is not only delicious when eaten fresh but also great in dishes like curry, salads, soups, and even desserts.
Lychee
- Popular Regions: China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia; with China being the largest lychee producer (*figure for 2018)
Lychee is one of the seasonal fruits in Asia that is only available in summer months from May to the end of July, with June being the best time to enjoy it. This small, tropical fruit has a rough, reddish-pink skin that covers a juicy, translucent white flesh with a single large seed. Lychee has a sweet, delicate flavor with a hint of floral notes. Its refreshing, juicy flesh makes it perfect for desserts and drinks. You can also cook lychee with prawns, shrimp, or chicken for a tasty main dish.
Longan
- Popular Regions: China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam; with China being the global leader in longan production.
Longan is one of the popular tropical fruits in Asia that has a rich history and significant cultural impact in many countries. Its name, meaning “dragon’s eye,” comes from its appearance: when peeled, the black seed shows through the translucent flesh like a pupil and iris. Longan has a sweet and gentle flavor, similar to lychee but gentler. It also has a subtle floral aroma and a juicy, refreshing taste. You can eat longan fresh or dried, and it comes with several health benefits like improving sleep quality and enhancing memory and cognitive function.
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)
- Popular Regions: China, Vietnam, Indonesia; with Vietnam contributing more than half (51.1%) of the world dragon fruit production (*figure for 2021)
Dragon fruit is one of the delightful tropical Asian fruits with a vibrant and unique look that everyone should try. The name “dragon fruit” has been used since 1963, likely because of its leather-like skin and scaly spikes on the exterior. Inside, the flesh can be white, red, or yellow with tiny black seeds scattered throughout. It’s juicy and refreshing, and the seeds add a nice crunch.
When ripe, dragon fruit is mildly sweet with a hint of floral or kiwi-like flavor. In terms of the health benefits of Asian fruits, it’s a great source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, iron, and magnesium. Plus, it’s low in calories, making it a good choice for those on a diet.
Jackfruit
- Popular Regions: India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam; with India being the largest producer of jackfruits in the world (*figure for 2024)
Next on the list of must-try Asian fruits is jackfruit, a large fruit with a spiky exterior and fibrous, yellow flesh inside. It’s actually the largest fruit that grows on trees, with the biggest one on record weighing 42.73 kg in 2016. The taste of jackfruit can change a lot depending on how ripe it is. When ripe, jackfruit is sweet and has a tropical flavor similar to a mix of pineapple, mango, and banana. When unripe, it has a neutral flavor and a meaty texture, making it a popular meat substitute in vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Starfruit (Carambola)
- Popular Regions: Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam; with Malaysia being a global leader in star fruit production
Starfruit is a tropical fruit easily found in many Asian markets. When sliced, it forms a unique star shape. It has smooth, yellow or green skin and juicy, translucent flesh. The flavor is refreshing and tangy, often described as a mix of citrus and grape. The flesh is crisp and juicy, making it a delightful snack. There is also a sour variety used as a seasoning to add a tangy kick to dishes.
Pomelo
- Popular Regions: China, Thailand, Vietnam; with China being the world’s largest pomelo producer (*figure for 2024)
One of the fantastic Asian fruits to try is pomelo, the largest citrus fruit around. It can grow as big as a small melon and has a thick, yellowish-green rind with juicy, segmented flesh inside. The taste is sweet and refreshing, similar to grapefruit but milder and less bitter. You can enjoy pomelo fresh, or use it to make salads, juices, sorbets, jams, or even candied peel.
Salak (Snake Fruit)
- Popular Regions: Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei
Salak, or snake fruit, is one of the special Asian fruits that is found only in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia. It has a reddish-brown, scaly skin that looks like a snake’s. Inside, there are segments of white, fleshy pulp with a single large seed. The texture is soft and creamy, with a slight crunch from the seeds. The flavor is sweet and tangy, with a bit of acidity and a hint of nuttiness. Some say it tastes like a mix of apple, pineapple, and coconut.
Mango
- Popular Regions: India, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam; with India being the leading mango producer in the world (*figure for 2024)
When it comes to must-try Asian fruits, mango is a standout tropical stone fruit known for its sweet and juicy flesh. Widely grown across Asian fruit farms, mangoes can be oval or kidney-shaped, with thick skin that can be green, yellow, orange, or red depending on the variety and ripeness. Mango has a sweet, aromatic flavor and a creamy texture that makes it a favorite. You can enjoy mangoes in many ways: fresh, in smoothies, as a flavoring in desserts, in savory dishes, or even dried and canned.
Santol
- Popular Regions: Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines
For a one-of-a-kind experience of Asian fruits, try santol, also called sentul or cotton fruit. This tropical fruit from maritime Southeast Asia is quite large, round or oval, and yellow. Inside, it has white, fleshy segments with one to five large seeds. Santol has a mix of sweet and sour flavors, with a hint of tanginess. The flesh is juicy and refreshing, similar to lychee, apricot, and pineapple, with a touch of citrus. You can eat it fresh, either directly from the segments or scooped out with a spoon. It’s a great snack or dessert.
Langsat
- Popular Regions: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Langsat, also known as lanzones, is one of the tropical Asian fruits that has a unique look. It has thin, yellowish-brown skin that’s easy to peel, revealing translucent, white, fleshy pulp. The taste is sweet and refreshing with a slight tang, making it a great snack, especially in the fall (September and October). The flesh is juicy with a delicate texture. Langsat is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which are good for people’s health. It’s also a good source of fiber, aiding digestion.
Tamarind
- Popular Regions: India, Thailand, Indonesia; with India being the world largest producer of tamarind (*figure for 2024)
Another choice of the Asian fruits that is commonly used in various dishes is tamarind. This fruit has a hard, brown shell with sticky, tangy pulp surrounding several flat, brown seeds. The flavor can be sweet or sour, depending on the type. Its rich taste makes it great for adding depth to meals. You can use tamarind in a variety of ways: it’s perfect for making jams, jellies, and candies, a key ingredient in curries, sauces, and marinades, and ideal for making tamarind paste, a popular condiment.
Japanese Persimmon
- Popular Regions: Japan, China, Korea; with China being the largest cultivated area and annual production of persimmons in the world (*figure for 2024)
Last on the list of must-try Asia fruits is Japanese persimmon. This fruit is usually round or oblong with smooth skin that can be orange, red, or even yellow. When ripe, Japanese persimmons have a sweet and honey-like flavor, with a smooth, jelly-like texture similar to ripe avocado. You can enjoy them fresh or dried. Besides, they are great for making jams, cakes, muffins, pies, and even wines and liquors.
Overall, Asia offers a wide range of unique and delicious fruits, each with its own flavor and cultural significance. You can explore these exotic fruits mentioned above by visiting local Asian fruit markets or planning a trip to Asia for a memorable fruit-tasting adventure. So why not give it a try? Discover the vibrant and delicious world of Asian fruits and take your taste buds on an exciting adventure.
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