I hope this guide to the fruits of Cambodia will encourage you to try some exotic fruits next time you’re in Southeast Asia. I found the fruits in Cambodia to be not only the tastiest but also the cheapest. I couldn’t believe how much I could get for just a few dollars! Head to one of the many colourful markets and see for yourself. I’m sure you’ll be astonished as much as I was.

 

Many Cambodians prefer unripened fruit (such as mangoes). They add sugar and sometimes chili powder to counter the bitter taste. I found that odd given fruits are naturally sweet when ripen. Then again, learning about different cultures is the most enriching aspect of travelling. Having said that, I still prefer my fruits as natural as possible, haha.

 

It’s easy to grab some junk food when we’re travelling but fruits are a much better/healthier option. These gifts of nature hold some powerful nutrients to help increase our energy and to keep us hydrated. Give it a try next time you’re craving some (bad) sugar. Cambodia has a plethora of fruits just waiting to be tasted!

 

As for me, fruits are always an integral part of my breakfast so I was excited to see so much variety in Cambodia. I often headed to the market to get some fresh, mouth-watering fruits. Needless to say, I was in Fruit Heaven, haha!

 

Although I had already eaten some of the fruits listed in this guide, I also discovered others that aren’t easily available in Canada. I hadn’t even heard some of these names: Wood apple? Sapodilla? Ma-praang?

 

Read on to see if you can pick a favourite fruit!

 

 

TOP 10 FRUITS OF CAMBODIA

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1. DRAGON FRUIT (ស្រការ​នាគ - PHLE SRAKEANEAK)

 

Dragon fruits (or pitayas) are part of the cactus family. The skin is a pinkish-red, and the inside is either white or flamboyant pink, speckled with tiny black seeds. Don’t you find this funky fruit looks like it has a headful of dreads?!

 

I find the white dragon fruits to be somewhat tasteless; but behold the sweet and savoury pink dragon fruit! Can you believe I didn’t even know pink pitayas existed? My eyes lit up the first time I saw one in Cambodia. As for my taste buds, they tingled with joy. Yummy!

 

Dragon fruits, in both colours, are sold in nearly every market in Cambodia. Don’t miss out on trying these exotic fruits during your travels.

 

What are the nutritional values of dragon fruits?

 

Dragon fruits are not only pretty but they’re also really healthy. They’re rich in antioxidants, high in Vitamin C as well as several B vitamins. They contain the good kind of fatty acids, and, best of all, dragon fruits are low in calories. Oh yeah!

 

All this nutritional goodness means you can eat as many as you'd like thanks to the dragon fruit’s low-calorie intake. Talk about the perfect snack to binge on!

 

 

2. RAMBUTAN (សក់ - SAK)

 

Rambutans are native to Malaysia and Indonesia but are exported all over Southeast Asia, including Cambodia. In fact, rambutan means ‘hairy’ in Bahasa. I can’t think of a better name for these ‘spiky’ fruits!

 

The exterior of rambutans are red in colour with ‘hairy’ pinnacles. The interior reveals a large, black seed enveloped in a white, fibrous flesh. Don’t worry, it tastes much better than it sounds. Rambutans when ripe are sweet and juicy. Though, I must admit, some might not like the gooey texture.

 

What are the nutritional values of rambutans?

 

Rambutans are rich in Vitamin C which helps promote healthy, youthful-looking skin. The high level of copper is known to prevent hair loss and premature graying of hair. Now that I’m in my fifties, I think I need a truck full of rambutans, haha!

 

All this nutritional value stuff got me thinking: Could rambutans be the fountain of youth of the fruit world?

 

 

3. SAPODILLA (សាប៉ូឌីឡា - SA BAU DI LA)

 

Apparently, sapodillas originated in Mexico but they’ve been cultivated in Southeast Asia for a very long time which is why they made the list. I thinksapodillas should fall under the catergory: "Don't judge a book by its cover.”

 

The earthy, brown skin pales in comparison to other more vibrant fruits of Cambodia. And, the fibrous, swarthy interior doesn’t look any more appetizing. Some people might even mistake sapodillas for small potatoes. But, trust me when I say these humble fruits are sweet and savoury!

 

Having said that, you need to eat sapodillas when they’re soft and ripe in order to fully appreciate them. If not, you‘ll be biting into a dry, pasty texture.

 

What are the nutritional values of sapodillas?

 

How ironic is it that this little brown fruit is considered to be one of nature's laxatives? Its fibrous interior can actually help relieve constipation. Go figure!

 

All jokes aside, remember sapodillas next time you need some ‘help’ with your bowels, haha.

 

 

 

4. LONGAN (មៀន - P`LAEH MEAN)

 

As with sapodillas, the pale exterior of longans look unappetizing. But, I’m here to convince you, once again, that longans are one of the most savoury fruits in Cambodia. Removing the slightly rigid exterior will unveil a small, round mound exploding with sweetness.

 

To try them is to love them. Longans were my favorite go-to fruit while travelling in Cambodia. They’re usually sold by the bunch as seen in the photo below. You can find these ‘bundles of sweetness’ in almost every market in Cambodia.

 

Don’t miss your chance to try some longans while travelling in Cambodia!

 

What are the nutritional values of longans?

 

Longans sure pack a punch as far as nutritional values go! These small fruits are a high source of several B vitamins as well as Vitamin C. They also have antioxidant, antiviral, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Who knew such a small fruit could be so powerful?

 

 

Have a look at these fantastic cooking classes offered in Siem Reap! Go shopping at a local market, learn how to cook Khmer dishes with a local and more.

 

 

5. JACKFRUIT (ខ្នុរ - KHNOR)

 

The jackfruit is the underdog of the fruits of Cambodia. Its wonky, warty exterior sure doesn’t help in gaining any fans. Add to that its unpleasant smell, the jackfruit is one of the least liked fruits. It’s definitely an acquired taste. However, don’t knock it until you try it.

 

It actually took me a while to like jackfruit. Once you get over the slightly pungent smell, jackfruits are quite sweet. The jackfruit needs to be really ripe, or else it will taste like a piece of rubber. A perfectly ripe jackfruit should taste sweet and velvety, and it should be crunchy.

 

I suggest trying the honey jackfruit for a truly memorable jackfruit experience. I think you’ll be really surprised at how good jackfruit is!

 

Jackfruit is also one of the only fruits to be super tasty when cooked. It’s an excellent meat replacement for vegetarians like me!

 

What are the nutritional values of jackfruit?

 

Unpleasant smell aside, jackfruits are a rich source of protein, potassium, calcium, and iron. In fact, the jackfruit is coined a ‘Super Fruit’.

 

 

6. DURIAN (ទុរេន - TOUREN)

 

If jackfruit is the underdog of fruits then durian is the outcast thanks to its putrid smell. Some would describe it as rotten eggs but I think durian has its very own distinct smell. Either way, it smells pretty bad! So much so, durians are often banned from hotels, public transportation and airports in Southeast Asia.

 

I won’t be giving my usual speech when it comes to durian as I’ve never been brave enough to try it. Unlike jackfruit, I just can’t get over the awful smell. If you’re in the same boat as me, you can try durian ice cream or candy. A heads up, the strong taste will most probably linger in your mouth for a long time.

 

What are the nutritional values of durian?

 

Love it or hate it, the smelly durian does hold some virtues. It contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fibres. This underdog of the fruit world is also considered a ‘Super Fruit’.

So there!

 

 

Read also: Mishaps of my Trip in South East Asia

 

 

7. PLUM MANGO (ផ្លែស្វាយ - PHLESVEAY)

 

While wandering around the market in Kampot, a woman noticed how I furrowed my eyebrows at one of the fruits. I thought they were apricots, although I knew that was a long shot.

 

“It’s called maprang", the woman said in French. She had heard me speaking French so she was delighted to sharpen her skills a little bit. I gladly obliged.

 

It turns out, maprangs are plum mangoes. Doesn’t ring a bell? Me neither, haha. As I took my first bite, I realized it tasted nothing like a mango. It was so sour, I had to spit it out! The woman laughed and explained that Cambodians prefer to eat unripened maprang.

 

What are the nutritional values of plum mangoes?

 

Plum mangoes contain calcium, Vitamin C, iron, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, riboflavin and the list goes on. All you have to do is get used to the bitter taste.

 

 

Join one of these food tours in Phnom Penh to get an insight into Khmer culinary culture.

 

 

8. MANGO (ស្វាយ - SVAY)

 

Mangoes are some of my favourite fruits, and I was served in Cambodia. The variety of mangoes in Cambodia are mostly ataulfo. Ataulfo mangoes are oval with a yellow skin as opposed to the bigger red or green variety.

 

I ate some of the sweetest mangoes in Cambodia, and at only .20¢ each, I ate a lot! The best mangoes are grown in April and May during harvest season. However, mangoes are available all year long.

 

What are the nutritional values of mangoes?

 

Mangoes are known as the King of Fruit. This delicious, tropical fruit is fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free. Need I say more?

 

 

9. WOOD APPLE (ខ្វិត - KVET)

 

I discovered the wood apple on Koh Paen Island. Many had fallen off the tree into a family’s yard. As I approached to take a closer look, a man came out of the house, grinning. He wondered what some strange girl was doing in his front yard. He only spoke Khmer so he called to his wife. She was an English teacher and her English was quite good.

 

She told me the fruit was called a wood apple. It was the first time I heard about such a fruit; I guess you learn something new every day!

 

The shell of the wood apple is hard like wood and the inside is a white-ish pulp. It can be eaten raw or cooked. Unfortunately, I didn't get to taste the wood apple because they weren’t in season; that’s why they were falling so easily off the tree.

 

What are the nutritional values of wood apples?

 

This relatively unknown fruit boasts a wealth of benefits, such as:

 

• Aid with respiratory problems
• Great remedy for diarrhea
• Reduce inflammation

 

 

10. MANGOSTEEN (មង្ឃុត - MONGKHOUT)

 

Look how pretty mangosteens are! The question is: Do they taste as good as they look? That’s a tough one to answer.

 

On the one hand, mangosteens can be juicy and sweet with a slightly tangy taste. On the other hand, the sticky, fibrous texture might be a turnoff. You’ll just have to try one to decide for yourself!

 

What are the nutritional values of mangosteens?

 

As with most fruits in this guide, mangosteens are extremely nutritional. Amongst its many nutrients are Vitamin C, Vitamins B1, B2 and B9, copper and magnesium.