One of my favorite times of the year is happening right now in Thailand.

ItÂs time for the RAMBUTANS to become RIPE! IÂm a rambutan lush, I have to admit. I eat more of these things than a man has a right to!

What in the world are rambutans? You might be asking yourselfÂ

Rambutans are probably the most exotic fruit youÂve ever seen in your life. Maybe youÂve never seen them. They are grown the best in the south of Thailand. In fact, the best place IÂve ever had them from is from an area called, Ban Na San a very small village along a river south of Surat Thani town about 30 km. Every year they have a huge week-long RAMBUTAN FESTIVAL there to celebrate since most of the residents make their living growing rambutans on their farms.

Rambutans when theyÂre best, are just bigger than golf balls and a lot more oblong (oval) than a round golf ball. They are bursting with flavor though there is nothing I could compare the taste of a rambutan to unless you are familiar with another exotic fruit called the "longan" or "lumyai". The texture too is something quite unlike fruits IÂve had in America. Amost like a hard, fleshy grape. There is not a lot of juice in rambutans - loose juice that is, because the juice is locked up in the almost clear fruity flesh.

A rambutan is best had in mid-season - somewhere around June-August as they seem to be most sweet, and large by then. The color ranges from a yellowish to an intense pink or red color. The color doesnÂt matter much with regards to taste, as long ast the fruit is bigger than a golf ball you can almost be assured it is more sweet than sour. When itÂs ripe the flesh separates easily from the seed. When not quite ripe the flesh sticks to the rambutan seed and the taste is a little sour overall, still not a bad taste though!

There are over 100 (I stopped counting at 100) green grass-like hairs a half inch to 3/4 inches long with slightly curled ends protruding from every rambutan. This is normal, do not be afraid.

Upon first inspection you might think it inedible, or, that it resembles poisonous caterpillars that even when touched bring great burning pain through your skin. Nothing could be further from the truth, though you may find some black ants in your batch you purchase. There is one crawling on my rambutan I brought out of the bag!

credit: http://thailandfruitsandfood.blogspot.com