We are blessed to have access to so many foods in our grocery stores. Even though our family tries to eat foods grown locally, we occasionally will venture out and have a food adventure. Sometimes these adventures involve trying out-of-the ordinary fruits and vegetables.

Right now Rambutans have shown up in the stores so I thought I would give them a try. 

What are Rambutans?

They are a “hairy” fruit that is native to Malaysia and Indonesia. It’s name comes from the Malay word for “hair”. The outer skin has green and red spikes that resemble hair. They definitely are a strange looking fruit. Even though their origin is Asia; they have also been cultivated in Australia and Central America. They do best in tropical climates that rarely get cold spells.

Rambutans grow on trees that can reach up to 80 feet tall. The trees will produce fruit two times per year; June to August and December to January.

Now that I had purchased this tropical fruit, I had to figure out how to eat them! It is actually pretty easy; take a small paring knife and gently slit through the peel half way around, peel off the skin, and eat the fruit flesh like you would eat a peach or plum. There is a seed/pit in the middle. The seed is edible which we will get to later as it needs to be properly prepared to be eaten by humans.

The flesh of the fruit will be translucent, whitish, or pale yellow in color. The taste has been compared to a mix of pineapple and apricot by some and to that of grapes by others. I found it tasted more like a grape.

Benefits of the Rambutan fruit:

• Dietary Fiber to maintain healthy digestion, preventing constipation.
• Vitamin C to help maintain a strong immune system.
• Iron to provide maintenance and production of red blood cells
• Copper which works with iron to keep blood vessels, the immune system, and production of red blood cells at their peak.
• Fight off pathogens because rambutans have antiseptic properties that battle infections. They also have high amounts of antioxidants that kill microbes and reduce the risk of cancer.

As I mentioned earlier, the rambutan seed is edible. They can be chopped into small pieces, dried, and ground into a fine powder. This powder can then be mixed with hot water and drank. It can be helpful in maintaining blood sugar levels. The powder can also be mixed with water to make a paste which can be applied to the skin. It is supposed to help achieve clearer and a more even-looking complexion.

Benefits of the Rambutan seed:

• Kill intestinal parasites (yes, we all have intestinal parasites). The seeds have antibacterial properties which may help eliminate parasites in your stomach.
• Promote skin health by producing clearer skin.
• The seeds are a source of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Now that you have been introduced to Rambutans, will you venture out and give them a try? I encourage you to give them a try. Eating a diverse diet is a great way to invest in your overall health.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Heather

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