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Rambutans

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Larry Greenly

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Rambutans

by Larry Greenly » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:16 pm

I like lychees and rambutans, but usually buy the canned versions.

When at Trader Joe's today, I picked up a box of fresh rambutans (not cheap and they look very alien) after being enticed by a clerk who kept referring to them as tasting like "lie-chees."

I think lychees or rambutans make an interesting and tasty light dessert. How 'bout you?

And I've saved the seeds to see if I can get them to sprout.
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Bob Ross

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Re: Rambutans

by Bob Ross » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:55 pm

Love em.

But after sprouting, what are you going to do with an 80 foot tree, Larry? :)

There's a fascinating website on this fruit at http://www.rambutan.com/

Regards, Bob
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alex metags

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Re: Rambutans

by alex metags » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:36 pm

I like rambutans too, but have not seen fresh ones here in the U.S. Have only tried them in Southeast Asia. Where were these rambutans from?

cheers,
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Larry Greenly

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Re: Rambutans

by Larry Greenly » Sat Oct 21, 2006 10:38 am

They're from Honduras, of all places.

After the sprouts reach 8 ft., I'll have to plant them outside in the north 0.1.
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Re: Rambutans

by Jenise » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:47 pm

Love them. At the Westin in Shanghai a few months ago, every morning's breakfast buffet included a huge bowl of fresh lychees already peeled and seeded. I had a bowl of them every day with my dumplings. Heaven!
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Re: Rambutans

by Cynthia Wenslow » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:51 pm

We love them and lychees too. During lychee season, we can usually get them fresh at Talin Market on Louisiana in ABQ. But the rest of the year we eat canned.
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Bob Ross

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Re: Rambutans

by Bob Ross » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:58 pm

Larry, fresh rambutans have only recently been permitted in the US -- there were concerns about the types of flies that live off the fruit. Thailand is petitioning for permission to export to the US, and Hawaii is resisting, at least as to imports into the islands.

I've read that Australia is also gearing up to raise them.

Interesting fruit -- I've only had the fresh ones in Asia -- and I don't really care for the canned ones. I'll search them out -- thanks for the lead.
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Re: Rambutans

by ChefCarey » Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:04 pm

Larry Greenly wrote:I like lychees and rambutans, but usually buy the canned versions.

When at Trader Joe's today, I picked up a box of fresh rambutans (not cheap and they look very alien) after being enticed by a clerk who kept referring to them as tasting like "lie-chees."

I think lychees or rambutans make an interesting and tasty light dessert. How 'bout you?

And I've saved the seeds to see if I can get them to sprout.


Damn, I haven't seen a fresh one of these in nearly a century - or at least 35 years. Used to be available in some of the markets in Vietnam. Hairy little devils.
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alex metags

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Re: Rambutans

by alex metags » Sat Oct 21, 2006 5:35 pm

Interesting that they are from Honduras... I wonder if rambutans from SE Asia are still banned, similar to the mangosteen situation. Recall reading in the NYT not long ago that mangosteens from Central America can be brought in, but haven't seen any of those fruits on the market.

cheers,
al
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Larry Greenly

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Re: Rambutans

by Larry Greenly » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:20 pm

There's so many exotic fruits that I'd like to try. I love their complex flavors. I've tried Durian candies, but never a fresh Durian. One of these days...
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Re: Rambutans

by DebA » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:29 pm

Bob Ross wrote:Love em.

But after sprouting, what are you going to do with an 80 foot tree, Larry? :)

There's a fascinating website on this fruit at http://www.rambutan.com/

Regards, Bob



Thanks for posting that very informative link, Bob. I had never heard of this fascinating and beautiful fruit until now! :cool:
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Larry Greenly

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Re: Rambutans

by Larry Greenly » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:53 pm

I just remembered cherimoyas (aka custard apples) from Peru (and now California). I love that custardy fruit and its alien, reptilian appearance.

http://www.passion4fruit.com/105.html
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Cynthia Wenslow

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Re: Rambutans

by Cynthia Wenslow » Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:42 am

Larry Greenly wrote:I've tried Durian candies, but never a fresh Durian. One of these days...


Don't do it, Larry! Run far, run fast!
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alex metags

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Re: Rambutans

by alex metags » Sun Oct 22, 2006 2:35 pm

Aw, just do it. Try it at least once. Fresh durian is nothing like durian cake, candy, ice cream or any other confection (which are all too sweet IMO).

I like durian myself, but can certainly understand why other folks don't!

cheers,
al
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Eric Ifune

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Re: Rambutans

by Eric Ifune » Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:39 pm

I've seen fresh durian at our local asian market here in LV. They always have frozen ones. I've had them in SE Asia, liked them but wouldn't serve them at a dinner party.

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