What is rambutan? Description, useful properties

What is rambutan? This is an exotic fruit, widely known in eastern countries. For us, its name is not quite familiar. However, this fruit is popular in a number of countries because of its juiciness and remarkable taste qualities.

Where does rambutan grow?

Starting a conversation about what rambutan is, I would like to note that this tree is from the family of sapinds. It grows in a tropical climate. Trees of this species are quite actively grown in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and also in Southeast Asia. But in every country the culture has its own name. In addition, rambutan is still popular in Australia, Africa, the Caribbean islands and Central America. However, the largest rambutan plantations are in India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia.

How do fruits look?

Speaking of what rambutan is, it should be noted that the most interesting are the fruits of the tree. They are the size of a hazelnut, and are collected in clusters (up to thirty pieces). The bone of rambutane, located inside the fruit, is not at all attractive. It reminds of an acorn.

The indigenous inhabitants of Thailand adore rambutan and tell about it a lot of beautiful legends. And in August an annual festival dedicated to this unusual tree is held. Although outwardly it is completely unattractive. Because of the existence of a large number of varieties, it is even difficult to describe it. The tree, as a rule, is short, but there are both evergreen and deciduous forms. The fruit itself can take the form of berries or fruits. Outside they are covered with a razor-skin, under which there is a juicy pulp on the bone.

The rind of the fruit can be red, yellow or red-yellow, and even burgundy. Outwardly the fruits look like our chestnuts, only they have a different color. To try a delicious fruit, you need to remove the thorny shell and get white gelatinous flesh.

In addition, that rambutan - a fruit (photo is given in the article) is very useful, it contains iron, protein, carbohydrates, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, phosphorus.

Because of the barbed shell, rambutan is sometimes called a "hairy". Acquiring such a fruit, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to its color. Experts think that they should have a rich red color, and the tips of thorns should be green. Rambutan is a perishable fruit, it can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than seven days.

Legends of rambutane

It is commonly believed that rambutan is a Malaysian fruit, because the very name of the tree comes from the Malaysian word, which in translation means "hair." In the countries of South Asia it began to grow many centuries ago. Gradually, he acquired universal love. Glory to him came in the eighteenth century, when King Rama II himself dedicated a whole ode to this remarkable fruit.

Around rambutan always reigned a certain areole of mystery. Many beautiful legends were laid about him. In particular, one of them tells about the prince who walked in the terrible mask of rambutan, and after the wedding he turned into a real handsome man, thankful that the princess fell in love with him for a beautiful soul.

Another, no less beautiful legend tells how rambutan found himself in Thailand. The Malaysian prospector, who extracted tin, moved to Thailand and settled in the south of the country. With him he took five rambutan trees. He planted the seedlings in a new place, when they first gave fruit, then some of the fruit was yellow, and some were red. They differed in taste. Some were bitter, and others - sweet. And only one tree was fruitful with prickly fruits of red color, inside of which was an incredibly juicy white flesh. After some time the prospector returned to his homeland, and after him remained a whole garden of unusual rambutan trees. Over time, the grove was acquired by the Ministry of Education. In the same places later the school was built, and the trees began to be called school rambutans. The king himself is the patron of an unusual tree, not to mention the nationwide love of fruit.

It should be noted that it was the support of the king that made rambutan at present one of the most popular fruits in the whole country. Annually, the harvest is about $ 12 million. Also every year in August the people celebrate a holiday dedicated to school rambutan, rejoicing at how lucky the first five trees brought. Such an unusual story has a miracle fruit.

Useful properties of exotic fruit

Talking about what rambutan is, you should definitely remember those useful substances that are contained in it. They are vitamins B1, C, B2, proteins, carbohydrates, protein. And from the mineral substances in it there are iron, phosphorus, calcium and nicotinic acid. Also in small quantities in the fruits are nitrogen, magnesium, ash, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and manganese.

Rambutan, whose properties are difficult to overestimate, is very useful for digestion due to valuable fibers. Of interest is the rambutane oil, which is contained in the fetus bone more than forty percent. It also contains arachidonic and oleic acids. If you heat the oil of bone rambutane, then it gives off a very pleasant aroma. That is why it is used to make soap and other cosmetic products, as well as festive aromatic candles.

Taste of fetus

Rambutan is very useful for the body, it improves the digestive process and has a beneficial effect on the skin. In Thailand, it is believed that the fruit helps the sick weakened people, because it has nourishing and cleansing properties.

Rambutan, lychees are somewhat similar to taste. They are replaced by each other when preparing dishes. Rambutan can be eaten not only in fresh form, but also in canned. Often it is used as one of the ingredients for cooking salad. Local residents prepare from fruits sauces, jams, compotes, which are then used to make pies, etc. In addition, rambutan gives a special taste to chicken, fish and meat.

But the leaves, roots and bark of rambutan are widely used in folk medicine, as well as in the production of paints for tissues. In Malaya, dried fruit crusts are sold in all pharmacies as a remedy.

Therapeutic properties of the fetus

In its raw form, fruits are used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Aromatic flesh well calms the inflamed intestine by stopping the process of improper digestion of food. However, if the stomach does not know the taste of this fruit, then it is dangerous to use it to treat intestinal problems, it is not known how the body will react to the new fruit.

In many countries, rambutan is used as a helminthic agent that helps to get rid of parasites. This fruit, without causing harm to the body, destroys helminths.

The leaves of the tree are used for cooking poultices from headaches. The action of the method has not yet been studied, but the Thais willingly apply it. In Malaysia, the skin is used to make various medicines. It is dried and preserved until a new crop. A decoction of the roots of the tree I use when fever. From the bark, too, prepare tinctures that help with diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, abscesses). Such a decoction is even recommended for use by young mothers who are recovering from childbirth. Local residents insist that, eating five fruits a day, it is possible to reduce the risk of cancer. Rambutan effectively lowers blood pressure.

Contraindications of fruit consumption

The first acquaintance with the new exotic fruit always begins with a small amount, since it is not known how the organism will react to it. The stomach and intestines of each person have an individual sensitivity. In addition, an allergic reaction is possible. In the rest there are no contraindications to the use of fruit.

Rambutan on the windowsill

Lovers of exotics will be interested to know that it is possible to grow rambutan at home from a bone. This method is the simplest and most effective. If you create a proper care for the plant, you can get fruits.

To get the seed, you need to get a bone from a ripe fruit and dry it properly. Then it should be placed in a damp cloth, and the container with it should be placed in a warm place. It is necessary to grow a bone. To do this, it is moistened daily. In a few weeks she must germinate. Then the sprout can be planted in a pot with a mixture.

At the bottom put the drainage layer, from top to cover the nutrient mixture. The seed is deepened and covered with earth. On top of the pot covered with polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect, and cleaned in a warm bright place. Water the plant as the soil dries. Seedlings should appear in a couple of weeks. And in a few months the sprout will reach four centimeters. When the plant is older, it can be transplanted into a larger pot. In the open ground the sprout should not be planted, as this culture is thermophilic. In the middle latitudes rambutan is grown either at home or in greenhouses.

Features of care

Tree cuttings brought from tropical countries, practically do not take root with us, so growing a plant from a bone is the most acceptable option. If you do not have the opportunity to bring a ripe fruit from the same Thailand and take a seed from it, you can choose a mature fruit in the store and try to germinate its bone.

It must be remembered that the germination is quickly lost, so the fruit should be cut immediately before planting. To increase the probability of germination, it is possible to soak the seed in a growth stimulant.

You should water the plant once every three days. He needs to provide the maximum amount of sunlight, but without direct rays. To maintain moisture, you need to spray the plant, because it is used to a tropical climate with high humidity. The plant does not require any special conditions, therefore careful care of it will not be necessary.

Instead of an afterword

Rambutan is a tropical plant with a rich history. If you have the opportunity, be sure to try it. Still, it is interesting to taste the fruit, which is so revered in Thailand.