Many have already tasted mango, avocado or pineapple at least several times in their lives, because one may often find these in local supermarkets. However, Sri Lanka offers a lavish abundance of fruits that are still relatively unknown. So, let us make a list of delicious fruits that our visitors could taste in Sri Lanka and experience the local flavors:
Thambili fruit
Thambili fruit, also known as the King Coconut, is filled with fresh coconut juice and local vendors would cut the upper cap - shaped part of the King Coconut and simply put a straw inside – which makes it ready for you to drink it. It is believed that it is an elephant’s fault that this fruit is widespread in the entire Sri Lanka. King coconuts are used in ayurvedic medicine, and are known as an important source of carbohydrates, vitamin E, iron and calcium. You are bound to find local vendors on every beach in Sri Lanka, and everywhere along the road, so we would recommend you should try this delicious fruit. The price: 50 LRK – 100 LRK for one King Coconut.
Rambutan fruit
Even it may seem that Rambutan fruit has rough exterior, this fruit is edible and quite delicious. You just need to peel off its outer layer and eat the pulp inside. The name for this fruit derives from the Malaysian word for ‘hairy’ which precisely describes the way Rambutan looks to an unaided eye. The rambutan is rich in vitamins A, B, C and minerals that include calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and magnesium. Traditional medicine uses this fruit to boost energy and help us with anemia problems if need be.
Cashew Apple
The Cashew tree is a tropical plant that produces two fruits actually, the nut, which grows underneath the cashew apple, and the cashew apple itself, which contains five times more vitamin C than any other citrus fruit. The cashew tree originates from Brazil, and this plant was later imported by Portuguese colonists. The nut is quite popular and you may find it in any store all around the world, whereas the cashew apple is much harder to export due to it being rather frail and fragile.
Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit comes from the cactus family and you can recognize it with no difficulty whatsoever by its flamboyant purple color and its sweet pulp dotted with miniscule seeds. Its skin is inedible, but once you peel it off you will be able to reach the soft part with the seeds which is delicious to die for . Dragon fruit is low in calories but packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as Iron, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin E.
Naminam fruit
Namnam fruit is a peculiar fruit that is native to Malaysia. Not many people would tend to extol the benefits of this fruit not because it is not edible, but rather because this plant is not commonly cultivated in Sri Lanka.
The fruit has a sour taste which is why it is used as a pickle as an appetizer. Naminam fruit contains vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants. Even the leaves of this fruit can be used to make tea which seem to have healthy properties for those who take it on a regular basis. It can greatly help with digestive problems and it is also used in ayurvedic medicine.
Wood Apple
This peculiar fruit had a hard outer layer and a soft and creamy inside. Wood apple gives off a very characteristic and strong odour. Many people blend wood apples with juices or in a fruit shake. You may also choose to add some sugar in order to additionally sweeten the flavour. You may find this fruit everywhere in Sri Lanka, almost like oranges in Italy and Spain. It cools you down during the sizzling hot summers and it helps with indigestion as well.
Uguressa fruit
Uguressa fruit is a small berry fruit. The taste of Uguressa is both sweet and sour. Before you taste this fruit, you should first hold it between your thumbs while applying pressure and squeezing it gently so that it softens. Only then are the berries ready to be eaten. However, whilst chewing you should separate the skin from the flesh, and swallow the flesh only.
Locals also make jam out of Uguressa. This fruit can also be dried and fermented to make wine. Uguressa berries are rich in antioxidants and are used in traditional ayurvedic medicines.
Anoda fruit or Soursoap
Anoda fruit is a tropical fruit. This delicious fruit has a flavor similar to that of a pear with citrus tinge but its creamy texture is more similar to banana. Anoda fruit is delicious fruit and you really can find it in every supermarket or at local fruit stands in Sri Lanka.
Mangosteen fruit
Mangosteen fruit is sweet and juicy tropical fruit that has a deep purple colored shell. It is considered to be one of the tastiest Sri Lankan fruits. It has various benefits for human health and it is used in Eastern traditional medicine. Mangosteen is used to boost the immune system, it helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate and prevents inflammation. It is really tasty, so why not try it?
Velvet tamarind fruit
Velvet tamarind fruits are similar to grapes. The taste is both, sweet and sour. The outside shell is really hard and should not be eaten. Velvet tamarind has many good properties for human health, it helps with ulcer problems, inflammations, helps the heart to pump blood and resolves acne issues. This fruit is often used in the production of sauces, snacks, jams and juices.
