RAMBUTAN

The name Rambutan is derived from the Malay word rambut (meaning hair). Similarly its scientific name lappaceum in Latin refers to the resemblance of the fruit to a burr. The Rambutan fruit is large, oblong or nearly round, and measures up to 5-6 cm long by 5 cm wide. It is green at the beginning but ripen to various shades of red and yellow. Each fruit has a large seed surround with a white or yellowish pulp (flesh) of varying thickness. The flesh is translucent, firm and juicy but its flavor and quality vary enormously. In a good variety, it is sweet with an extremely pleasant, mild, sub acid flavor. In the best varieties the flesh comes away easily from the seed- this is referred to as Rambutan lekang. Rambutan is indigenous to Malaysia and has been grown in South-east Asia for a long time. It is a bushy and wide-crowned tree, growing up to 20 meters in height. Under suitable conditions the seedling tree fruits at 5 to 6 years. Vegetative-propagated trees (budding and marcotting) may start bearing when 1 to 2 years old. Trees usually fruit twice a year. The main season is between June and September.