Enjoy the
tropical fruits of Cambodia.
Nowadays, tropical fruits are available in almost every supermarket in the West.
But, eating fruits after their long travel is incomparable with eating them close to the source: much more enjoyable.
Fresh fruits are an important part of a healthy balanced diet.
So,
stay healthy in Cambodia and enjoy the wonderful and tasty fruits of this country!
Lychee
The lychee is called Koulen in Khmer and many foreigners are familiar
with the tinned, processed fruit. The fresh fruit is small, round and
spiky and red in colour. Once peeled, the flesh is white and contains a
black seed.
Jackfruit
The Jackfruit is one of the most distinctive fruits of Asia. Known as
Khnol in the Khmer language, jackfruit is a large, oval fruit with a
light-green, spiky skin. When cut open jackfruits emit a sweet, perfumed
odour and the bright yellow flesh surrounding the seeds is eaten.
Longan
Known as Mean in the Khmer language, longan is another small, round,
sweet tropical fruit. Longans have a rather drab, beige skin colouring,
but once peeled the flesh is clear white and very sweet. Inside the
fruit harbours a hard black seed. Longans are usually sold in bunches
with the stalks still attached.
Mangosteen
The mangosteen is a very distinctive looking fruit with a smooth,
dark-red almost black skin. The top of the fruit has a small floral
pattern near the stem. The skin is relatively thick and it is best to
slice the fruit open with a knife. Once opened the white flesh is
revealed in segments. Meangkhout as they are known in Khmer, have a very
sweet flavour when fully ripened.
Papaya
Called Lahong in Khmer, papaya has a unique oblong shape. The skin of
the papaya is smooth and when the fruit is young it is green in colour,
turning to reddish-yellow as it ripens. The inner flesh is light-red and
sweet.
Banana
Known as Chék in the Khmer language, bananas grow plentifully in
Cambodia and hence are a staple dietary item. When you stroll through
the markets in Cambodia you will notice that there are many varieties of
this popular fruit. As well as being consumed as fresh fruit and used
in desserts, other popular ways of eating banana include deep-fried and
sun dried. In addition to being a food source bananas are used as
offerings during religious ceremonies.
Pineapple
The pineapple (Manoa in Khmer) is well-known to most tourists and grows
abundantly in Cambodia. The spiky outer skin is covered in “eyes”. When
fully ripe, pineapples exude a fragrant sweet odour. As well as being
eaten raw as fresh fruit, pineapples are also used extensively in
Cambodian cooking.
Rambutan
Rambutans have a very distinctive appearance, the outer skin being a
reddish shell and covered in soft, thick hairs. The inner flesh is
translucent white, which is very sweet and juicy and contains a smooth
seed. Like longans, rambutans are normally sold in bunches with the
stems attached.
Water Melon
Watermelons are a popular, refreshing fruit found throughout Cambodia.
Cambodians call the fruit Owlock and the watermelons come in a variety
of sizes, shapes and flesh colours. You will find plenty of watermelons
for sale at the local markets.
Mango
Known as the queen of tropical fruits, the mango is probably the best
loved tropical fruit worldwide. Buddha prized mangoes so much he was
given a grove to meditate in. Indians consider it sacred.
Coconut
The coconut, known as Dong in Khmer, is another staple of the Cambodian
diet. Vendors are often seeing pulling carts laden with these fruit
through the streets. The juice of the coconut is an extremely refreshing
drink and the inner flesh is sweet when the fruit is young. In addition
the flesh is often used in cooking.
Durian
The durian, or Thouren as it is known in Khmer, is sometimes referred to
as the “King” of tropical fruits. Its odour is so unique that hotels
and airlines ban customers from carrying the durian and many foreigners
cannot bring themselves to sample the flesh – but it is well worth it!
Durian can grow into large, oblong shaped fruit with the green skin
covered in hard, short spikes. When split open, the inner yellow flesh
is revealed. Inside the creamy flesh are large seeds. As well as eaten
fresh, durian is also cooked into a paste and used in desserts.
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