What exotic fruits can you find in Phuket?
Exotic Thai fruits in Phuket range from the well-known pineapple or even watermelon to the most surprising ones like the weird-looking Dragon Fruit, the huge pungent Durian or the enormous Jackfruit.
The choice of fruits in Thailand is endless and visiting a local market in Phuket is a chance to try as many as you can. Some of the best fruit displays in Phuket are at the Banzaan Market in Patong Beach or by the beach in Naithon or Nai Harn beach.
1. Mango [Ma Muang]
Mango is, without a doubt, one of the most popular tropical fruits in Thailand. You can eat ripe mango with sticky rice and coconut milk, a big travellers’ favourite. Thai people love green as a snack with salt and chilli or as a spicy salad on top of fried fish, which is delicious. Try it next time!
- The best season for mangoes in Thailand is late March through July.
2. Ma Yong Chit
Ma Yong Chit is a surprisingly delicious seasonal fruit only available between February and April. It looks like a tiny mango, but its taste is sweeter, fruity and more delicate than mangoes. The texture is very smooth in the mouth.
3. Rambutan [ngǿ]
Rambutan is a well-known and very popular funny-looking fruit. Red and hairy on the outside, it is white and very sweet on the inside.
- The best season for Rambutans is usually May to September, but you probably can find them all year round.
4. Mangosteens [mung kut]
Mangosteen is a round fruit with a hard-looking purple skin and 5 to 8 soft white segments. It is very sweet and very popular. It’s not difficult to open, but if you drop that purple skin on a white tee shirt, you will have a purple mark forever.
- The best season for mangosteens is from May to August.
5. Bananas [kluay]
6. Dragon Fruit [Kaew Mang-Korn]
It sounds scary, but the taste of the Dragon Fruits is very faint, just slightly sweet with seeds like in kiwis. The most common variety comes with white flesh, but the red meat is sweeter.
- The best time to enjoy dragon fruit is April to October, but you can find it all year round.
7. Phuket Pineapple [Sapparot]
Very popular all over Thailand, Phuket Pineapple is sweeter and has more flavour than other pineapples. It is often served complimentary after dinner and comes with a mix of chilli and salt. Please don’t underestimate the good Phuket Pineapple is, and don’t miss a chance to try it!
8. Durian [Tu Rean]
Durians are called the ‘King of Fruits’ by those who love it. Some of the many known varieties available can be smelly, but the best ones are not as pungent. You love it, or you hate it; it’s that simple.
9. Papaya [Malakor]
Papaya has many healthy properties if you like its tastes. Thais eat it ripe with lime juice but more often green in the famous Som Tam, a very spicy and popular salad.
10. Guava [Farang]
Well known fruit, but the Thai version is harder and not as sweet as the Caribbean version. Thai people often dip it in a mix of sugar, salt and dry chilli; it’s nicer than you might think. ‘Farang’ in Thai also mean ‘Foreigners’.
11. Star Fruit [Ma Fuang]
Star fruits are a little harder to find on the market, probably because it is not an easy fruit to keep for more than a day. The fruit itself doesn’t look like a star until you slice it. Tastes sweet and very refreshing.
12. Pomelo [Som O]
Thai people see this as a kind of orange (Som), but it’s more like a giant grapefruit. It is huge, hard to peel and tastes just a bit sweet. Try it!
Thai pomelo is a large citrus fruit that looks like a giant grapefruit, known for its sweet and slightly sour taste. It has a thick yellowish-green rind that encases pink or white juicy segments. Thai pomelo is usually eaten raw, either alone or in salads, and is a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine. It is also believed to have several health benefits, including aiding digestion and boosting the immune system.
The best season for Thai pomelo is generally from August to December, which is considered the peak season.
13. Coconut [Maphrao]
14. Rose Apple [Chompoo]
Rose Apple, also known as Chomphu in Thai, is a tropical fruit known for its bell-shaped appearance, thin waxy skin, and mild, sweet flavour. It’s commonly eaten fresh or used in Thai cuisine as a garnish or ingredient. The fruit is a good source of vitamins and minerals and is low in calories. The best season for Rose Apple in Thailand is from June to August, during the rainy season. When choosing Rose Apple, look for firm, unblemished fruit with a bright, uniform colour and a sweet fragrance.
15. Lychees
Lychees, also known as Lamyai in Thailand, are tropical fruits that is native to China but also grown in Thailand. They have a rough, red exterior that covers a sweet, juicy, and slightly tangy white flesh. Lychees are commonly eaten fresh as a snack or used in desserts and drinks. The best season for Lychees in Thailand is from May to June, during the hot summer months. When choosing Lychees, look for fruits that have a bright colour, a slightly firm texture, and a sweet fragrance.
16. Snake Fruit [Salak or Rakam]
Snake fruit, also known as Salak in Thailand, is a tropical fruit with a unique appearance and taste, in the same family as the sapodilla. It has a rough, scaly exterior that resembles a snake’s skin and sweet, crunchy, and slightly acidic flesh. It’s hard to peel and has a big seed in the middle. Snake fruit is commonly eaten fresh as a snack or used in desserts and salads. The best season for Snake fruit in Thailand is from May to September, during the rainy season. When choosing Snake fruit, look for fruits that have a bright colour, a slightly firm texture, and a sweet fragrance.
17. Custard Apples [noina]
Custard apples are round or oval and have green or brown skin. The fruit’s flesh is white or yellow and has a custard-like texture. The fruit has a sweet, creamy flavour and is often eaten fresh or used in desserts. Custard apples are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and iron. They are also low in calories and fat, making them a healthy choice for people watching their weight. The best time to enjoy Custard Apple is July and August.
18. Watermelon [Tangmo]
19. Jack Fruit [Kanoon]
Jackfruit, also known as Khanun in Thailand, is a tropical fruit that is widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand. It has a large, oblong shape with bumpy green or yellow skin that encases sweet, fragrant, and juicy flesh. Jackfruit is commonly eaten fresh as a snack or used in savoury dishes such as curries and stir-fries.
The best season for Jackfruit in Thailand is from March to June, during the hot summer months. When choosing Jackfruit, look for fruits that have a bright colour, a slightly firm texture, and a sweet fragrance.
20. Plum Mango [Ma Prang]
21. Longan [Lam Yai]
Longan is a member of the Sapindaceae family, which includes other fruit trees such as lychees and rambutans. The longan fruit is small and round, with a thin, yellowish-brown skin and juicy, translucent flesh. It has a sweet, slightly tangy flavour and a delicate, chewy texture. The fruit is often used in desserts, candies, and beverages and is considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia. It is also used in traditional medicine for its various health benefits.
22. Small Thai Oranges [som]
23. Pomegranate
24. Kraton
25. Makok
25. Gac
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