The rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is native to Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the lychee, longan, and mamoncillo. It is believed to be native to the Malay Archipelago,[3] from where it spread westwards to Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka and India; eastwards to Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.[4] The name rambutan is derived from the Malay word rambutan, meaning "hairy". [4] In Vietnam, it is called chôm chôm (meaning "messy hair") due to the spines covering the fruit's skin.
A second species regularly sold at Costa Rican markets is often known as "wild" rambutan. Yellow in color, it is a little smaller than the usual red variety. The flesh exposed when the outer skin is peeled off is sweet and sour, slightly grape-like and gummy to the taste. In Costa Rican Spanish, it is known as mamón chino (translated "Chinese sucker") due to its Asian origin and the likeness of the edible part with Melicoccus bijugatus.
Rambutan are non-climacteric fruit - that is, they ripen only on the tree.
A second species regularly sold at Costa Rican markets is often known as "wild" rambutan. Yellow in color, it is a little smaller than the usual red variety. The flesh exposed when the outer skin is peeled off is sweet and sour, slightly grape-like and gummy to the taste. In Costa Rican Spanish, it is known as mamón chino (translated "Chinese sucker") due to its Asian origin and the likeness of the edible part with Melicoccus bijugatus.
Rambutan are non-climacteric fruit - that is, they ripen only on the tree.
