Top 11 Delicious Tropical Fruits of Cambodia

Welcome to Cambodia, a land of natural wonders and delectable exotic fruits. Fruits are an integral part of Cambodian culinary culture and the daily lives of its people. Thanks to the country's warm tropical climate, a wide variety of high-quality exotic fruits thrive here. You can enjoy fresh fruit year-round, tantalizing your taste buds with their flavors. But that's not all—Cambodia also offers pickled fruits with a unique taste! Join us as we explore this fruity paradise together!

Written by Thanh NGUYEN (local expert)Updated on 05-07-2024

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Top 11 Delicious Tropical Fruits of Cambodia

1. Rambutan

Rambutan has a bright, spiny red skin that surrounds white, juicy flesh. This fruit is often described as having a sweet and refreshing taste, with a crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Rambutan is considered a highly valued exotic fruit in Cambodia, where it is often eaten fresh or canned for export. It is usually sold at local markets and is available during the harvest season, which runs from June to September. In addition to being delicious, rambutan is also rich in health-promoting nutrients. It contains vitamins C and B, as well as antioxidants.

2. Ambarella

Ambarella, a special fruit that you won't find at home, is the gift of the tropical southeastern countries. It gives off an exquisite fragrance, with its green and yellow colors when ripe, and its bewitching smell that will seduce you as soon as it is ripe. Both tart and sweet when fully ripe, it is reminiscent of the style of mango. Add an exotic touch to your palate with the ambarella!

3. Jackfruit

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia. Its flavor is a unique blend of sweetness reminiscent of mango and banana, with a meaty, fibrous texture, making it a flexible choice ideal for sweet as well as savory dishes. Additionally, some varieties of jackfruit can be smoked to add a distinctive, smoky flavor to certain dishes.

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The most popular jackfruit varieties in Cambodia include sweet jackfruit, also called "Champa", and hard jackfruit, also called "Khnei". This fruit is widely grown and used in local cuisine, including dishes like Gra Jab (a jackfruit salad with pickled vegetables and peanuts), as well as Kuy Teav Sach Ko (rice noodle soup with jackfruit, meat, and vegetables). In addition, jackfruit is often used in traditional Cambodian medicine for its healing properties.

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4. Dragon Fruit

The dragon fruit, also known as "pitaya" in Khmer, is easily recognizable thanks to its vibrant pink skin with scales reminiscent of a dragon. This fruit is native to Central and South America, but it is now grown in many parts of the world, especially in Asia. Dragon fruit has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Its texture is crunchy and refreshing, similar to that of a kiwi. One of the unique characteristics of dragon fruit is that its seeds are small and edible.

In addition to its delicious taste, dragon fruit is also rich in nutrients and antioxidants, making it a healthy choice for those looking to add exotic fruits to their diet. Dragon fruit is often used in drinks and desserts to add a touch of exotic color and flavor, especially in Asian dishes.

5. Durian

Cambodia is renowned for its wide variety of exotic fruits, among which is durian, a thorny fruit native to Southeast Asia. Locally known as "Thu-rian", this delicious fruit is highly valued for its unique taste and creamy texture. Although durian production is not as large as other fruits like mango and papaya, it is considered a top fruit choice in Cambodia, especially in the cities of Kampot, Kampong Cham, and Battambang.

The durian season in Cambodia usually runs from mid-May to July. Don't miss the opportunity to try this amazing tropical fruit. Some people love it, while others find its aroma unpleasant. If you're a durian lover, be sure to try Kampot durian at least once in your life, considered one of the best durian varieties in Cambodia.

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6. Mango

Mango is a popular tropical fruit in Cambodia, where it is widely grown and consumed. Mango trees grow all over the country, offering a wide variety of sweet and juicy mangoes. The mango season in Cambodia usually starts in April and continues until September, with harvest peaks in May and June. Mangoes are often sold at local markets, where vendors sometimes offer them in ready-to-eat cups or fresh juices.

Cambodians like to consume fresh mangoes as a snack or dessert, but they also use them in various dishes of Cambodian cuisine. Green mangoes are often used to add sweet flavor and crunchy texture to salads, rice and noodle dishes, and even soups.

Some Khmer dishes consisting of well-known mangoes are Somlah Machou Banle (fish sauce and green mango), Korko (vegetable and meat stew), Num Banh Chok (rice noodles served with fish sauce and vegetable salad), etc.

7. Longan

Speaking of exotic tropical fruits, one can't ignore the longan, or "Lam Yai" in Khmer, which is a sweet and juicy fruit, resembling a lychee, but slightly smaller. It has a sweet, slightly musky flavor, with a pleasantly fragrant smell.

Longan has appeared widely in Khmer cuisine, as an important ingredient adding a sweet and aromatic touch in desserts, drinks and main dishes. It is also often eaten fresh, peeled and pitted. The longan season in Cambodia runs from May to September, and during this time, you can find fresh fruit stalls in local markets and supermarkets.

8. Tamarind

Prized for its tart and sweet flavor, with a sticky, fibrous texture, tamarind is a popular fruit in Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia. The smell of tamarind is also distinct, with a strong smell of plum and lemon.

Tamarind is usually available during the rainy season, from June to September, and can be found in markets and grocery stores across the country. In addition to its culinary use, tamarind is also valued for its medicinal properties, especially as a treatment for constipation and fever.

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Thanks to its unique flavor and peculiar smell, tamarind is used in a variety of Khmer dishes, including soups, sauces, and meat and fish dishes. Popular dishes include tamarind and fish soup, tamarind sauce for spring rolls, and tamarind stir-fries.

9. Mangosteen

In Khmer, mangosteen is often referred to as the "king of fruits". Its thick purple skin should be carefully opened to reveal its white, juicy flesh with a sweet and slightly acidic taste, giving off a pleasant and subtle fragrance.

Mangosteen is widely used in Cambodian cuisine, especially for desserts. Its season in Cambodia is short, from May to July, but much appreciated by the locals, although some tourists may have mixed opinions about its unique flavor and smell. If you travel to Cambodia, be sure to taste this fascinating fruit to experience its exquisite texture and taste.

10. Papaya

Papaya is a tropical fruit rich in vitamin C and papaya, prized for its mild flavor and culinary versatility in Cambodia. Cambodians often eat it raw in fruit salads or cooked in spicy dishes.

"Papaya salad" is also a must-try culinary dish in Cambodia, made with green papaya slices, lime juice, fish sauce, chilies, and roasted peanuts. If you're visiting Cambodia, don't miss out on this unique culinary experience in addition to tasting fresh papayas.

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11. Salak (Snake Fruit)

In Cambodia, there is a fruit with a scaly skin like that of a snake, called "snake fruit" or "salak". This fruit is native to Indonesia but is also grown in Cambodia. The salak has a unique, sweet and tangy flavor, reminiscent of the flavor of passion fruit with a touch of grapefruit. Its smell is slightly sweet and pleasant. In Khmer cuisine, salak is often eaten fresh and is also used to make jam.

In terms of dishes, salak is usually served as a dessert or snack, and can be combined with other fruits for an exotic fruit salad. It is usually available seasonally from June to September. In fact, snake fruit is considered a healthy fruit, rich in vitamin C and fiber, and can be eaten as a nutritious snack or incorporated into various cooking recipes.

Pickled Fruits and Shaking Fruits: A Culinary Experience Not to Be Missed!

In addition to fresh fruit, discover the delights of fruit in a unique marinade, which gives it a perfect balance between acidity and sweetness. These sweet and sour fruits are often accompanied by a salty and spicy dip, making them the favorite snacks of Cambodians and all countries in the southeast. Fruit shaking, on the other hand, also makes foodies salivate.

Where to Find the Juiciest Fruit in Cambodia?

So you have a question about where to buy quality fruit? If you're looking for fresh, quality fruit on your trip to Cambodia, here are some recommended places:

• Phnom Penh: The Central Market and the Russian Market are two must-see places to find fresh and exotic fruits. Street 240 in Phnom Penh is also a good choice for quality fruit.
• Siem Reap: The Central Market and Psar Chaa Market are two markets offering a wide variety of fresh fruits.
• Kampot: A province located in the south of Cambodia, is renowned as the fruit capital of the country, offering a wide variety of tropical fruits. If you're looking for an authentic fruity experience, Kampot is the perfect place to explore the local markets and sample fresh seasonal fruit.

It is important to note that the availability of fruit depends on the season, so it is recommended that you seek advice from locals or vendors to find out the best choices of seasonal fruits when you visit.

Our Final Words

Cambodia is full of exotic fruits with a variety of flavors, ranging from durian and rambutan to mangosteen and jackfruit. These fruits are not only delicious, but also rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Fresh fruit can easily be found at reasonable prices in local markets and street stalls. Travelers will be able to experience Cambodian culture while exploring new fruity flavors.

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