Vietnamese Rambutan: Everything You Need to Know About This Tropical Treat

We’re excited to share some valuable insights about Vietnamese rambutan with you.

5 min

Fruit

Rambutan is a fruit that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. With its spiky red shell and sweet, juicy flesh, it’s a true tropical delight. In this article, we’ll introduce you to this interesting fruit, explain its delicious flavor, and show you why it’s becoming a favorite among fruit lovers. Come along as we explore the world of Vietnamese rambutan and how you can enjoy this exotic treat! Plus, stick around for some fun quizzes at the end to test your knowledge about this fascinating fruit!

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What is rambutan fruit?

Rambutan is a small, round, or oval fruit, typically measuring 3-6 cm long and 3-4 cm wide. It grows in clusters of 10-20 fruits, with a vibrant red or yellow skin covered with soft, hair-like spikes that give it a unique and exotic appearance. Inside, the fruit reveals a whitish, translucent flesh that is juicy and attaches to a large seed at its center.

Rambutan trees typically grow between 12 and 20 meters tall. However, through selective cloning, shorter varieties have been developed that only reach 3 to 5 meters. These compact trees are much easier to harvest.

In Vietnam, rambutan trees are usually propagated through grafting, as growing them from seeds often results in lower yields. Farmers prefer grafting to ensure higher productivity. Rambutan trees typically begin bearing fruit after 4 to 5 years, with peak production occurring between 8 to 10 years. The fruit takes about 100 to 120 days to ripen from the time the flowers bloom.

Rambutan trees thrive in temperatures between 22-30°C but struggle in extreme conditions—flowers and fruit drop significantly when temperatures exceed 40°C, while cooler temperatures below 22°C slow down flowering. In Vietnam, the rambutan harvest season generally runs from May to July each year.

Young rambutan fruits

A rambutan tree can grow over 10 meters tall.

A rambutan tree stands at about 3 meters tall, making it easy to harvest.

Flavor profile

Rambutan has a sweet, tropical aroma with a subtle hint of mango and vanilla. Its flavor is smooth and gentle, making it very pleasant and easy to enjoy. The white flesh of ripe rambutan has a sweet and subtly tangy flavor. Its texture is soft and juicy, with a slight chewiness.

Nutritional highlights of rambutan

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Database doesn’t provide nutrition facts for fresh rambutan. However, they do list the nutritional information for rambutan canned in syrup, drained, with a serving size of 1 cup (150g).

Nutrient	Amount
Water	117 g
Energy	123 kcal
Carbohydrates	31.4 g
Fiber	1.35 g
Protein	0.975 g
Fat	0.315 g
Vitamin C	7.35 mg
Iron	0.525 mg
Calcium	33 mg
Potassium	63 mg
Magnesium	10.5 mg

How to eat rambutan: a step-by-step guide

Select the Fruit:

Choose ripe rambutan, which has a vibrant red or yellow skin. Avoid green or overly dark fruits, as they may be sour or overripe.

Prepare the fruit:

Hold the rambutan firmly. Use your fingers or a knife to carefully peel away the spiky, hairy outer skin.

Extract the flesh and enjoy:

To separate the juicy flesh from the seed, gently use a knife to slice around the seed or carefully remove the flesh away with your fingers. Alternatively, you can place the rambutan in your mouth and carefully bite into the flesh, making sure not to bite the seed as it is bitter and unpleasant.

How to store rambutan

When storing rambutan at room temperature, you might notice that the fruit loses weight quickly due to moisture loss. Over a period of 5 to 8 days, rambutan can lose between 22% and 25% of its weight, depending on the variety. The higher the temperature, the more weight the fruit will lose.

To keep rambutan fresh for a longer period, store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator at 10°C (50°F). This method can extend the fruit’s freshness for up to 2 weeks.

Fresh rambutan or preserved alternatives

The best way to truly savor the flavor of rambutan is to eat it fresh. There’s nothing quite like the juicy, sweet taste of a ripe rambutan right off the tree. However, since rambutan is a seasonal fruit, it might not always be available. When fresh rambutan isn’t in season, you can still enjoy this tropical delight by opting for canned rambutan or dried rambutan. These alternatives capture the essence of the fruit, letting you experience its unique flavor even when it’s not in season.

What is canned rambutan?

Canned rambutan is rambutan that has been processed and preserved in tin cans, usually in a sugary syrup to keep the fruit fresh for longer. This is a convenient way to enjoy rambutan when it’s out of season or when fresh rambutan isn’t available.

Fruit producers in Vietnam have developed this canned rambutan product, bringing the unique flavor of this tropical fruit to consumers around the world. The canning process helps retain the fruit’s flavor and quality, though it might not be quite the same as eating it fresh. Canned rambutan can be used as a dessert or an ingredient in various dishes, adding convenience and variety to your menu.

What is dried rambutan?

Dried rambutan is a convenient way to enjoy this tropical fruit even when it’s out of season. The drying process removes moisture, concentrating the fruit’s natural sweetness and giving it a chewy texture.

While it may not have the same juiciness as fresh rambutan, dried rambutan retains many of its nutrients, including fiber. It’s perfect for snacking, baking, or adding a tropical twist to various dishes. Produced by Vietnamese manufacturers, dried rambutan is typically packaged in sealed bags to maintain its flavor and quality.