TEN LOCAL FRUIT THAT POPULAR IN MALAYSIA (Pt 2)

THERE ARE MORE THAN 29 local fruit that normally grown commercially or traditionally in Malaysia for all to enjoy during the fruit season. I enjoyed many local Fruits of Malaysia since than as an agronomist expert on many crops. Actually not only in Malaysia as a popular tourist destination well-known for its sandy beaches, balmy weather and amazing food, but owing to its location near the equator and lots of rainfall throughout the year, the tropical climate creates the perfect setting for the flourish of sweet, juicy and succulent fruits. Some local fruits are seasonal, while others are also easily available throughout the year. We have durians, mangoes, rambutans, pomelo, langsat and mangosteen which appear seasonally. Non-seasonal fruits which can be enjoyed the whole year round are fruits like papaya, guava, pineapple and banana. However, these local fruits are generally inexpensive and can easily be available at the local supermarket, night market, roadside stall, anywhere during their peak season. For me if you are a tourist visiting Malaysia for the first time here is a handy list for you to have your first introduction to Malaysian fruits to enjoy anf try. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog I will share my knowledge about 10 most popular local fruit in Malaysia for this matter.

4. CEMPEDAK

Cempedak (Artocarpus cempeden) are popular friot grown in Malaysia about 5,785 hectare producing for 20,304 metric tons of fresh fruit. If you are familiar with the jackfruit, it is possible for you to find the cempedak fruit to be similar in appearance to the former. However, do not be fooled for the size of a cempedak fruit is smaller but its smell stronger than jackfruit fot many chempedak varieites. Although its waxy, golden yellow flesh can be eaten as it is, Malaysians love the fried version of it (yes, fried!) which can usually be found at the local night market. Form my experience in Malaysia about local fruit industry in which the cempedak season is from May to July, with a shorter season between November and February. Among popular cempedak varieties to try including Cempedak Paya Jaras (CH26) and few others. Local price for cempedak range between RM5 - RM10 per kilogram.


5. PAPAYA or BETIK

Papaya or in Malay known as 'Betik' with botanical name as Carica papaya among mu favorite fruit to consume. There are popular variety grown in Malaysia including Betik Eksotika, Betik Sekaki, Betik Batu Arang and few others. Reported about 2,536 hectare planted in 2024 in which produce 55,958 metric tons for domestic and export market. This oval fruit, when ripe, has a waxy, orangey-green skin. It has a soft, juicy, orange flesh with a sweet taste. Hundreds of black seeds can be found inside its central cavity, and it is a common fruit found in Malaysia as it is easy to grow a papaya tree in your own backyard. It is commonly eaten fresh and is a fruit easily found as it is commonly sold by roadside fruit vendors all year round.


6. LANGSAT

Langsat (Lansium domesticum var domesticum) are seasonal fruit and one of my favorite fruit same as Dokong. This is a seasonal fruit typically found between the months of June to August. It has a unique transparent flesh where its seed can clearly be seen in the middle. A mix of sweet and sour to the taste buds in which this fruit has been said to be a good source of fiber which can minimize constipation and prevent colon cancer. As the langsat is cultivated mainly for its fruit, in some areas, the peel of langsat has been traditionally used as medicine. Moreover, the seed extract are also a rich source of limonoids showing a potential for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. While it is safe to consume like any other fruit, some individuals may be allergic to langsat and it can get allergy-related symptoms such as itching, swelling or in rare cases even some respiratory issues. t's easy to confuse langsat with longan. How to distinguish both fruits: If there's a sample of open fruit and it's perfect. Inner part of langsat consists of cloves (like garlic), while longan has a single berry under the peel. This article devided in three segment namely Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 respectively. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Agronomist Expert,

Melaka,

Malaysia.

(December 2024).