2: Mangosteen
Known as “the queen of fruits”, the mangosteen’s flavour is so legendary that Queen Victoria offered a reward to anyone who could bring her one that was fit to eat. The five white segments inside the reddish brown pith taste like lychee supercharged with pineapple, peach and citrus.

3: Durian
Known as “the king of fruits” the rotten scent of ripened durian means it’s banned from many hotels. Anthony Bourdain observed that after eating durian one’s breath smells as though you’ve been french-kissing your dead grandmother. The flavour’s surprisingly mild, reminiscent of syllabub, but something you should try at least once within your lifetime.

4: Salak
The snakeskin fruit! These grow in bunches at the base of a palm, and are sold all over mainland South-East Asia in season. The flavour? Less dramatic than you’d expect. Like a firm-fleshed, slightly floral apricot, with hints of melon.

5: Candied Nutmeg
Pala manis, in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, is the candied fruit of the nutmeg tree (the seed becomes the nutmeg spice, and its outer coating the spice mace). With the oomph of candied ginger, the camphorous tang of nutmeg, and a little spice heat under the sweetness, these little pale yellow slices are a must-try.

6: Rambutan
If you like lychees, you’ll love popping and eating these alien fruit. The flavour’s like a sweeter, more intense lychee, with a slightly firmer, but still gelatinous texture. The sort of thing you’d put in a Halloween punch and describe as eyeballs…

What are your favourite fruits to eat as you travel? Drop me a comment and let me know…

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