Thailand is home to a large variety of delicious fruits, both seasonal, such as durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longan, lychee and all-year-round, such as papaya, guava, coconut, orange, banana, pineapple, and rose apple. The hot tropical climate and abundant rainfall in Thailand are ideal for growing a huge variety of fruit which, for range and quality, are among the most diverse and delicious to be found anywhere. Nowadays, the huge variety of local produce, combined with the culinary art of the Thai people, has resulted in a wealth of ways that Thai fruits can be enjoyed all-year-round. At present, Thai-grown tropical fruits are becoming legendary the world over. Their heady fragrances, ripe colors, nutritious and succulent flavors have rightfully contributed to the country's burgeoning reputation as one of the world's major culinary hubs. The fresh fruits have been exported steadily for many years with increasingly both quantities and varieties.
Fresh fruit is popular with Thais as an anytime snack and is eaten as dessert at most meals. It may be served raw, freshly sliced, in salads, or cooked in many different ways. The carving of fruit is also a tradition art form, often forming a major decorative element in buffet presentations at the hotel.
Some Thai fruits are incredibly sweet and juicy. While the taste of other may, at first, seem strange and exotic to visitors, they add a delightful extra dimension to the fruits in this magical country.
The following are the popular exotic Thai fruits with their Thai names, their famous growing regions, and peak of season of the production. The all year production of common fruits such as papaya, pineapple, banana, orange, water melon, guava, and etc., though popular, but are excluded here.
Exotic Thai Fruits Famous Growing Regions Peak Season of Production
Mangosteen (mang-kut) South and East coast March to November
Rambutan (look-ngaw) South and East coast May to October
Lychee (lin-chee) North and Central May
Longan (lam-yai_ North July to August
Longkong (long-kong) South and East coast July to October
Langsart (lang-saad) South July to October
Durian (tu-rean) Central, South, East coast May to July
Mango (ma-muang) throughout the country February to May
Pamelo (som-o) Central, South, East coast August to September
Rose apple (chom-poo) Central, North East January to April
Green plum (put-sa)_ Central, North East December to January
Zalacca (sa-la) Central, East coast October to November
Sapodilla (la-mut) Central, East coast November to January
