Fruits Growing in Thailand
Durian (thurian), papaya, pommelo, tamarind, bananas
Fruits in Thailand, photographed on a day trip along Thailand's River Kwai, when our guide stopped to point out a number of trees laden with fruits growing near the trail: Durian, papaya, pommelo,tamarind and bananas in a small orchard.
This Thailand fruit orchard is about four hours by road north of Bangkok, Thailand on the way to Hellfire Pass. I also went on the Floating market tour, with wood and vegetable carvers.
Pommelo Fruits Almost Ready for Picking 
Pommelos have a very thick rind -- up to one inch thick -- that makes fruit appear much larger than what you actually get when you peel it.
The somewhat tart flavour is almost like grapefruit, but it tends to be sweeter.
Pommelos are also called Chinese grapefruit, shaddock, pumelo, pummelo, and pompelmous, which is why you might see it spelled different ways.
This citrus fruit is native to Thailand and other Asian countries.
According to Chinese folklore, pommelo symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.
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Papaya growing near River Kwai Thailand 
Papayas on the tree. Though native to Mexico and Hawaii, the papaya is actually a herb, though one that grows very fast, and very tall for a herb, and grows in most tropical countries around the world.
The Hawaii variety grows up to six inches long; the Mexican variety, up to 24 inches long.
(If your supermarket sells papaya in large, wrapped sections, the fruit is most likely from Mexico.
Papaya is the source of papain, a meat tenderizer used because its enzyme action breaks down the tissue.
This enzyme action also makes it a good meat based stain remover.
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Bananas by the Bunch in Thailand Fruit Orchard
And bananas on the tree. Most hotel breakfast buffets offer a good selection of fresh local fruits (except durian).
Look for the small, sweet bananas, and take one or two with you for a nice snack when you're touring about the towns.
They won't last long in a backpack in the heat, so don't forget that you have them. In Bangkok, I had one of the best dinners ever at the Manhattan Hotel.
Here's the post from my travel blog about the meal:
Sweet & Sour Chicken ($8 Canadian)
Chunks of hand cut chicken breast sauteed then simmered in a tomato-based sauce of chunky fresh pineapple, green and red peppers (capsicum), celery and green onions, served over a mound of fluffy Thai rice.
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Ripe Tamarind Pods atop tamarind tree Thai Fruits
The tamarind pods (shown in the picture at the ends of the branches) ripen and fill with a brown edible pulp.
Tamarind's sweet-and-sour flavor is used in many Asian dishes.
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Durian (Thurian) Typical Fruits of Thailand and Asia
Known in Thailand as thurian, durian, this fruit, when cut, supposedly smells like rotting meat.
Or Limburger cheese. Or unwashed feet.
In any event, it smells bad. But cut it open (holding your nose, of course), and enjoy the creamy, tasty fruit.
Some claim durian is an aphrodisiac.
In Canada, whole durians are sold frozen, not fresh.
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Got a question or a tip?
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- Mr
- Durian or Jackfruit
Add A CommentBen - October 31, 2010, 1:58 am
For your information. The picture showing a big fruit is not a DURIAN. This is a JACKFRUIT, very different than durian. It is sweet and smells good compare to the durian.
The durian look alike the jackfruit but smaller and with spikes.
It would be good if you can change the picture and provide correct information. Look on the web.
Cheers
Karen - October 31, 2010, 10:24 am
Hi Ben
Thanks for taking the time to comment - appreciate it.
I see lots of durian in Mississauga, in stores, labeled durian, usually frozen out of season and fresh in season.
They look like the one in this picture that our English speaking guide in Thailand called durian.
I have jackfruit, too, but only in a can, so hard to tell the difference :-)
So now I will look into this further.
Thanks again!
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