Interesting Fruits of Indonesia (Pic Heavy) - Page 2

annietomatomad · June 29, 2007

Man, you're killing me. I haven't been home (Malaysia) in more than a year and a half and everytime I go home, I indulge in the fruit. Durian and mangosteen are my favorites. I grew up eating a lot of Starfruit but I never really cared for it too much. We always ate it dipped in a bit of salt to bring out the sweetness.

There are two types of jackfruit back where I'm at--Nangka and Cempedak. Cempedak is a smaller, more smelly but sweeter and not so firm fruit. They mostly make a batter and deepfry the fruit (much like banana fritters). Nangka (the jackfruit you're more used to) is mostly eaten fresh and uncooked unless it's the young fruit which is then made into curry. Sigh...this is making me really miss home.

Thank you for the beautiful pictures.

Cheers, Annie
ps. where in California are you? It would be nice to meet other Southeast Asians.

Innoma · June 29, 2007

Funny about Durian ... before I ever went to Indonesia, I had read quite a bit about all the interesting fruits and vegetables of the region and, of all of them, the description of the Durian lured me the most, usually described as like being in a room full of sweaty socks or rotten garlic, and yet quite loved by the locals. For some reason, despite the reviews, I just had to try it, but on that initial trip, my only durian was disappointing, tasting like a vaguely sweet, mushy garlic.

On the second trip, however, I gave 'em a try again, and it was a wonder to behold ... dense, creamy, ever so sweet and redolent of vanilla, but also with certain undertones that defy description. I'm told this was a variety dubbed "monthong," which comes from Thailand, and I've been able to purchase them here as whole frozen fruits which are actually not bad.

Even though they do have a distinct aroma, I don't think they smell unpleasant at all and could always tell when a market had them available for sale. Curiously, even though much has been written about how they are "forbidden" in certain areas (hotels, airports) due to the smell, I have yet to actually witness that being true.

As much as I like Durian, however, I like Manggis (Mangosteen) even better, and will search far and wide for them. I've seen them once or twice locally fresh, but they always look hideously abused and cost more per pound that prime beef! Unfortunately for me, during my last trip, they were out of season, even though I managed to find a few for sale in Bali.

Another interesting thing to try in Indonesia is "Es Kopyor," which is a beverage made from a certain kind of coconut. Its somehow different than regular coconut, but I never could get it explained to me clearly (the best I could make out is that one out of so many coconuts is 'different,' like perhaps a mutated variant). I couldn't get enough of it on the last trip.

And for Annie, I live in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California, about 35 miles south of Fresno (although my heart belongs to the tropics, it seems ... or at least my stomach, anyway).

dcarch · June 29, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innoma

Funny about Durian ... ----the description of the Durian lured me the most, usually described as like being in a room full of sweaty socks or rotten garlic, ----------.

Althought I don't know why it's known also as "cat's poo fruit". the smell is powerful, but not entirely unpleasant.

One of the best variety is know as "the Golden Pillow".

Durian can be frozen without loosing quality. If you eat it half frozen, the texture is like ice cream.

Looking at all these really strange colors, all these exotic tastes, I often wonder what medicinal properties they might have.

dcarch

supergirl · July 4, 2007

What a great thread. I also wish we got more of the tropical fruits in the everyday markets. I was able to get fresh lychee at Whole Foods yesterday, though, so that's a plus.

I love custard apples. I lived in India for a little while many years ago, and they were absolutely my favorite (though I love mangosteens and ate myself sick on mangos and guavas a number of times as well.) The cherimoyas here are just not the same. I got a couple of proper custard apples in Bangkok a couple of years ago, but unfortunately when I started dismantling them to eat, discovered that one had worms in it.

I have a thing with worms where they just completely repulse me. Mold, I can scrape off and eat the food, no problem. Worms, I can barely even get myself to touch the food to throw it out. I was crushed. I wish I could get the kind I used to have here, but those I never do see anywhere.

I just had my first loquat in Hong Kong a few months ago. Wasn't sure what it was, so I nicknamed it an apricot-pear until I had a chance to google thoroughly and figured it out. Tried to smuggle seeds home but they never sprouted. Of course, once I found out it was a loquat, this was somewhat of a non-issue since I think I can buy a tree at the local nursery.

I'll definitely keep an eye out for some of the others here that I haven't tried - yum!

June 29, 2007	#16
annietomatomad Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 89	Man, you're killing me. I haven't been home (Malaysia) in more than a year and a half and everytime I go home, I indulge in the fruit. Durian and mangosteen are my favorites. I grew up eating a lot of Starfruit but I never really cared for it too much. We always ate it dipped in a bit of salt to bring out the sweetness. There are two types of jackfruit back where I'm at--Nangka and Cempedak. Cempedak is a smaller, more smelly but sweeter and not so firm fruit. They mostly make a batter and deepfry the fruit (much like banana fritters). Nangka (the jackfruit you're more used to) is mostly eaten fresh and uncooked unless it's the young fruit which is then made into curry. Sigh...this is making me really miss home. Thank you for the beautiful pictures. Cheers, Annie ps. where in California are you? It would be nice to meet other Southeast Asians.

June 29, 2007	#17
Innoma Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA, Zone 9 Posts: 33	Funny about Durian ... before I ever went to Indonesia, I had read quite a bit about all the interesting fruits and vegetables of the region and, of all of them, the description of the Durian lured me the most, usually described as like being in a room full of sweaty socks or rotten garlic, and yet quite loved by the locals. For some reason, despite the reviews, I just had to try it, but on that initial trip, my only durian was disappointing, tasting like a vaguely sweet, mushy garlic. On the second trip, however, I gave 'em a try again, and it was a wonder to behold ... dense, creamy, ever so sweet and redolent of vanilla, but also with certain undertones that defy description. I'm told this was a variety dubbed "monthong," which comes from Thailand, and I've been able to purchase them here as whole frozen fruits which are actually not bad. Even though they do have a distinct aroma, I don't think they smell unpleasant at all and could always tell when a market had them available for sale. Curiously, even though much has been written about how they are "forbidden" in certain areas (hotels, airports) due to the smell, I have yet to actually witness that being true. As much as I like Durian, however, I like Manggis (Mangosteen) even better, and will search far and wide for them. I've seen them once or twice locally fresh, but they always look hideously abused and cost more per pound that prime beef! Unfortunately for me, during my last trip, they were out of season, even though I managed to find a few for sale in Bali. Another interesting thing to try in Indonesia is "Es Kopyor," which is a beverage made from a certain kind of coconut. Its somehow different than regular coconut, but I never could get it explained to me clearly (the best I could make out is that one out of so many coconuts is 'different,' like perhaps a mutated variant). I couldn't get enough of it on the last trip. And for Annie, I live in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California, about 35 miles south of Fresno (although my heart belongs to the tropics, it seems ... or at least my stomach, anyway).

July 4, 2007	#19
supergirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 107	What a great thread. I also wish we got more of the tropical fruits in the everyday markets. I was able to get fresh lychee at Whole Foods yesterday, though, so that's a plus. I love custard apples. I lived in India for a little while many years ago, and they were absolutely my favorite (though I love mangosteens and ate myself sick on mangos and guavas a number of times as well.) The cherimoyas here are just not the same. I got a couple of proper custard apples in Bangkok a couple of years ago, but unfortunately when I started dismantling them to eat, discovered that one had worms in it. I have a thing with worms where they just completely repulse me. Mold, I can scrape off and eat the food, no problem. Worms, I can barely even get myself to touch the food to throw it out. I was crushed. I wish I could get the kind I used to have here, but those I never do see anywhere. I just had my first loquat in Hong Kong a few months ago. Wasn't sure what it was, so I nicknamed it an apricot-pear until I had a chance to google thoroughly and figured it out. Tried to smuggle seeds home but they never sprouted. Of course, once I found out it was a loquat, this was somewhat of a non-issue since I think I can buy a tree at the local nursery. I'll definitely keep an eye out for some of the others here that I haven't tried - yum!