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I spent 2 years living in Malaysia - here are 14 of my favorite fruits Americans probably wouldn't recognize

Jul 21, 2018, 20:00 IST

Mark Abadi/Business Insider

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  • Southeast Asia is home to several fruits that most Americans probably haven't heard of.
  • They include the durian - the pungent "king of the fruits" - and the unusual-looking rambutan.
  • I compiled 14 of the most bizarre fruits that I tried during my two-year stay in Malaysia.


Trying new foods is one of the best parts of visiting Southeast Asia.

In the two years I lived in Malaysia, I came across dozens of fruits I had never even heard of in the United States, let alone tasted. Some of the most notable were durian - the so-called "king of the fruits" whose smell is so strong it's banned from hotels - and rambutan, nature's answer to the Koosh ball.

Nothing can compare to tasting these exotic fruits for the first time, but after one bite it's clear to see why they are so beloved throughout the region.

Here are 14 fruits from Southeast Asia that the average American didn't know existed.

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The quintessential Southeast Asian fruit is the durian. Malaysians call it the 'king of the fruits' and it's a source of national pride.

Source: Business Insider

Durian has an incredibly pungent taste and smell that many outsiders can't tolerate. Anthony Bourdain once said of durian, "your breath will smell as if you'd been French-kissing your dead grandmother." The fruit is banned in many Malaysian hotels.

Source: Business Insider

Speaking of forbidden fruits, the mangosteen is another popular one.

It has a tough purple husk and soft, juicy flesh inside. It doesn't stink like durian, but it's banned in many buildings because the rind leaves a purple stain on anything it comes in contact with.

The rambutan, covered in soft bristles, looks like it comes from another planet.

Source: Mother Nature Network

'Rambutan' comes from the Malay word for 'hair.' On the inside is a pleasantly sweet fruit that tastes somewhat like a red grape.

Source: Mother Nature Network

Salak is sometimes called "snakefruit" in English because of its scaly exterior.

Source: Smithsonian

The flesh isn't juicy like the other fruits — it's much dryer. It tastes sweet and slightly acidic, like a citrus fruit.

Source: Smithsonian

Dragon fruit is notable for its psychedelic appearance. Its texture is reminiscent of kiwi, and its taste is mildly sweet. The pink version is often used to give color to smoothies and other drinks.

Source: Natural Food Series

Langsat is another popular fruit in Malaysia.

Source: Purdue

Peel back the thin skin and you'll find a translucent, juicy orb inside with a sweet and sour taste.

Source: Purdue

Jackfruit looks like a durian from afar, only much bigger — imagine two watermelons side by side. There's no putrid smell with this fruit, either.

Source: Epicurious

The inside of a jackfruit contains dozens of pods of thick, chewy flesh — it's sometimes used as a meat substitute in cooking. The taste is something like a banana and pineapple.

Source: Epicurious

Another gargantuan fruit from Malaysia is the cempedak — pronounced with a "ch" sound. The pods inside a cempedak are a lot harder to reach than those of a jackfruit.

Source: Migrationology

The flesh is also much more mushy and custardy than a jackfruit, although the appearance is similar.

Source: Migrationology

Pulasan has a tough exterior, but it's easy to break open.

Source: Purdue

On the inside is a juicy sphere that has a complex flavor that's fragrant, sweet, and slightly tangy.

Source: Purdue

Mata kucing is Malay for "cat's eye" — no surprise why once you open one.

Source: Food Facts

Asian pears are crisp and fragrant, and have the texture of an apple.

Source: Specialty Produce

Lychee is an Asian fruit many Americans may be familiar with. It's common for Malaysians to put lychee in their iced tea.

Source: Food Facts

The jambu air, or water apple, has a crisp, watery texture.

Source: Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts

And the taste of a soursop might catch you off guard — it's thick, somewhat creamy, and a mixture of sweet, sour, and musky.

Source: Soursop Store

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