Description

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A tropical fruit, the rambutan originated in Southeast Asia. Along with lychee and longan, it is a member of the Sapindaceae family. Nephelium lappaceum is the scientific name for the rambutan. The fruit is easily recognizable by its hairy, usually red or yellow, although variegated, exterior skin.
A fruit with a hairy look, the "rambutan" gets its name from the Malay word "rambut," meaning hair. You can simply peel off the hairy or spikey skin to expose the lovely, translucent meat. It has a sweet and somewhat acidic flavor, similar to that of a grape.
The rambutan tree is an evergreen that can reach a height of 20 meters. Although it is most commonly enjoyed eaten raw, the fruit has many culinary uses, including in salads, desserts, and drinks. Although rambutan is most popular in its home areas, it has recently grown in popularity around the world due to its adaptability to tropical and subtropical temperatures.