Bursts of Flavour: the disappearing fruit varieties of Southeast Asia

Thailand and other countries in the region are blessed with delicious fruit, offering residents and visitors alike a host of delectable textures and extraordinary experiences. Beyond taste, many of these fruits represent cultural traditions that tell stories of diversity and heritage. Yet, sadly, some of these tropical delights are now becoming increasingly rare.

According to a study by a leading university, several fruits in Southeast Asia are facing a decline. “Some of the factors contributing to the decline include habitat loss, climate change, and changing agricultural practices,” Dave Amargo, a university lecturer, told Thai PBS World.

“Farms are getting smaller. While cities are expanding, agricultural land is becoming increasingly limited and this is having a serious impact on agricultural development. What’s more, the growing demand for certain fruits also leads to overexploitation of some local varieties,” he added.

Fruit basket

Southeast Asia is considered by many foreigners as a colourful fruit basket. It is home to a variety of fruits that are not only delicious but also nutritious. Many of these fruits are unique to the region. Consumed fresh most of the time, some are also used as ingredients to liven up local dishes. Flavorful and aromatic, these fruits provide a refreshing touch to the region’s tropical climate and cultural identity.

One example is the longan. Often called “dragon’s eye”, it is a sweet and succulent fruit commonly found in Thailand and Vietnam. Its smooth, brown shell protects a juicy and translucent flesh surrounding a glossy black seed. Longantrees grow well in tropical climates.

“Longanis a rich source of vitamin C. It is also a perfect snack on warm days because of its cooling effect. The fruit is usually eaten fresh,” a Vietnamese foodie told TPBS World. “Longanis also used in traditional Asian soups and desserts,” he added.

Then we have the jackfruit, the largest tree-borne fruit native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Its size and spiky green skin make it eye-catching. It can be eaten raw or cooked. “Ripe ones can be eaten raw or can be made into a sweet dessert. Unripe ones are sometimes used as a meat substitute in some dishes,” explained a Filipino food-shop owner.

Another addition to our colorful fruit basket is the salak, also known as snake fruit because of its scaly skin. Native to Indonesia, it has a crisp texture and a sweet and tangy taste. “Salakis often eaten fresh. It is rich in Vitamin C and dietary fibre, and can also be used in salads and pickles,” a friend in Jakarta told TPBS World.

Meanwhile, native to the Philippines and Thailand is the “cotton fruit”, known locally as santol, which boasts a thick yellow rind protecting the sweet-and-sour white cottony pulp inside. It’s typically eaten fresh or cooked, either as a sweetened dessert or as a souring ingredient to enhance the flavour of a soup or broth.

Rare finds

Hard-to-find fruits nowadays include the velvet apple. Tasting like a combination of an apple and a banana, it is native to the Philippines and known locally as mabolobecause of its velvety skin. “Botanists classify the velvet apple as part of the ebony family,” explains Albert, a horticulturist. According to him, velvet apples were easier to find when he was a young boy. Now that he is a senior citizen, it has become hard to find velvet apples in local markets.

Another fruit that is rarely seen these days, at least in some Southeast Asian countries, is the carambolaor star-fruit, which has a crisp texture and sweet juice. When sliced crosswise, the fruit reveals its star shape. “When I was a little girl, I could see people peddling star-fruits on the streets. Now, you’re lucky if you see some being sold in the local markets,” complained Filipina mother Helen Casi.

Other tropical fruits that are becoming hard to find these days also include the baccaureafruit, the pomelo, and the camachile.

Fruits of concern

Of bigger concern, however, are the Southeast Asian fruits that although still popular, are notably vanishing. This includes the durian, known as “the king of fruits”. It has a strong aroma, often described as pungent, but is a beloved delicacy in the region. “Certain wild varieties of durianare becoming rare due to deforestation and urbanisation,” explained one farmer.

Likewise, the rambutan, a fruit with a hairy red skin encasing a white and translucent pulp that tastes like lychee is threatened by monoculture farming practices. “Monoculture farming is a practice of growing the same crop year after year. It affects the quality of the soil. The declining quality of biodiversity also contributes to the decline,” said one local vendor.

Other vanishing fruits include the mangosteenand the langsat.

Mangosteen is known as “the queen of fruits”. It has a thick, purple rind that encloses juicy white flesh and a sweet and tangy taste. According to one local farmer, overharvesting is the problem, as well as the impact of climate change in some regions.

Langsat, a small round fruit with a thin yellowish-brown skin that’s native to Malaysia and Indonesia, meanwhile, is “threatened by competition from more commercially viable crops,” said one local farmer.

“Promoting sustainable farming practices, such as agro-forestry and organic farming could help preserve these fruits,” says Gener Payad, an agricultural school instructor. “Educating local communities on the importance of biodiversity can trigger conservation efforts among the locals. There are now efforts to change that, but the challenges for future generations to continue these efforts remain significant.”

By Oz Herza, Veena Thoopkrajae