Rambutan-Your Friend for Healthy Bone

Rambutans are primarily known for its similarities with the lychee and the longan fruit, particularly its transparent-whitish flesh and the seed in the middle. This is because these fruits are actually close relatives. Although they are similar, the outer cover or shell is what sets these three fruits apart. Nevertheless, the rambutan fruit can be easily identified because of its green and red spikes that resemble hair, which is interesting because the name “Rambutan” comes from the Malay word for “hair.”

Mythbusters

Myth- Rambutan seeds are not edible?

Truth- Rambutan seeds are not edible while they are raw because they contain toxins, the seeds are edible when are roasted. Another way to cook the seeds is by removing the seed coat or testa, boiling in water until soft, then boiling in syrup to make sweet.

Rambutan Fun Facts

• In 1997 Hawaii’s top 3 tropical fruits included Rambutan.

• It takes about 5 to 6 years for a tree planted from seed to start to bear any fruit.

• Rambutan trees bear twice annually, once in late fall and early winter.