Rambutan, also known as soapberry or naepheliumlappaceum, is an exotic fruit that looks like it belongs in the sea. This juicy treat makes a delicious addition to salads, smoothies and desserts alike!
Rambutans are an excellent source of vitamin C and contain powerful antioxidants to fight free radical damage. Furthermore, they’re packed with copper, manganese, and iron.
How to eat a rambutan
Rambutan is a tropical fruit grown around the world that can be enjoyed fresh or used in recipes. Eating rambutan offers many health benefits; it contains essential vitamins and minerals that should not be missed out on.
First, you’ll need to cut through the skin of a rambutan in order to reveal its flesh inside. Holding it in one hand and running a knife horizontally around its center will help cut through its 2 to 4mm thick skin. After cutting all around, gently squeeze out any remaining slick skin with your thumb; your delicious white flesh should now be revealed!
Rambutans look similar to small red lychee or longans, but they differ in that they have a tough outer skin with translucent flesh interiors. Ripe rambutans will have bright red skin while underripe ones will have yellow or orange hues.
When you’re ready to eat the rambutan, start by carefully scraping away some skin with a paring knife or other sharp, non-serrated tool. Be careful not to pull on the rind as this could damage its soft spines.
Once the skin has been peeled away, you’re left with a juicy, sweet fruit that’s easy to enjoy. Just remember that rambutan’s thorny outer skin may irritate your mouth so be sure to remove it before biting into the fruit.
Recipes
Rambutan, one of the world’s most intriguing fruits, offers a smooth white flesh with subtle strawberry flavoring. A popular snack in many Asian markets, you can now find it at some grocery stores as well.
Rambutan, also known as ‘hairy fruit’ from its thin layer of soft fuzz that covers it, gets its name from a Malay word meaning “hairy”. Similar to other tropical fruits like lychee or longan, but with a slightly different texture and taste.
Vitamin C is an excellent source for this fruit, as it encourages the production of white blood cells and boosts your immune system’s ability to fight off illness (25). Eating enough vitamin C through your food intake is important for overall wellness; not only does it regulate blood pressure and lower heart disease risks, but it can also prevent harmful buildup in arteries.
Rambutan not only offers health benefits but it can be used as a delicious sweetener in food dishes. It goes well with everything from Thai curries to ice cream and sorbet.
For a quick and delicious dessert, dip peeled rambutan in chocolate before topping with coconut. It makes an ideal treat for high tea or as an after-dinner sweet.
Rambutan can also be used for a refreshing smoothie or rich, creamy ice cream. It makes an excellent alternative to berries in sorbet recipes as well.
Eating a rambutan for breakfast can help keep you full throughout the day, as it’s high in fiber and potassium – nutrients which help regulate blood pressure.
Preparation
Rambutans are tropical fruits grown on trees that originated in Southeast Asia but are now widely grown around the world due to their climate-resilient properties. Related to lychees, they can be enjoyed fresh or used for making jams, jellies and other preserves.
They’re a beloved treat in Asia due to their distinct flavor and texture, which resemble grapes but are slightly sweeter with floral undertones. You can find these treats in both yellow and red varieties; their ripeness will vary according to the season.
This tropical fruit can be enjoyed raw or cooked, though it’s best when ripe. It also makes an amazing addition to fruit salads, ice creams and other recipes.
Depending on where you live, fresh fruit may be available at your local supermarket or specialty grocery store. Be sure to check the label for added sugars and take caution when serving them to your baby as these can present a choking hazard.
To prepare a rambutan, begin by peeling its skin. This can be accomplished either by cutting with a knife or twisting open between your fingers. Doing so will reveal the juicy egg-shaped fruit inside.
Once the skin has been removed, you can then slice away the seed and squeeze out the flesh of a rambutan. The flesh is juicy and sweet – making it an excellent addition to any recipe.
Some people like to peel the rambutan before eating it, however this can be tedious and time-consuming. If you must peel before serving it, do so only just before you plan to serve it.
Once the skin of a rambutan has been removed, it is essential to peel away the thin spines on its outer layer that cover the aril. Doing this will reveal smooth white flesh that is incredibly juicy and sweet.
Storage
Rambutan is a tropical fruit with an intensely flavorful sweetness. It makes an ideal addition to fruit salads or desserts and ice creams alike; however, like many fruits, if not stored properly or left out too long, the sweetness may fade.
Rambutan are best stored in the freezer, where they will keep for up to one month without losing flavor. Just be sure not to freeze them too quickly and let them thaw before eating them.
Vacuum sealing fruit can further extend their shelf life. This method works great for any tropical fruit as it helps to keep them fresh for an extended period of time.
To determine whether your rambutan fruit is ripe and ready to consume, look for these telltale signs: color, taste, and smell. If the fruit appears dull or brown in colour, it likely has not reached peak ripeness and should be discarded immediately.
When buying rambutan, look for bright red or yellow colors as this indicates the fruit is fresh and not dried out or damaged. Furthermore, look for firm spines with no bruises when purchasing this fruit.
If you’re uncertain of the quality of a fruit, pick it up and gently squeeze some parts to determine its soft or hardness. If there are any soft spots or juice oozing out, then the fruit is unripe and should be discarded.
When storing rambutan, it is essential to take out any excess air from the packaging before sealing it. The more air present in a package, the faster the fruit will spoil.