Which fruits should you buy in Phuket?

You are in the right place: Phuket is a paradise for exotic fruit lovers! The favorite of many is mango. There are about 200 varieties! Here you can read about 10 popular types of mango in Thailand.

Which other fruits are popular in Phuket? Definitely pineapples and coconuts. Among familiar fruits, bananas and mandarins also grow on the island. By the way, in Thailand bananas are eaten not only fresh, but also baked and fried. Mandarins are different from the ones Europeans are used to – Thai mandarins have green skin.

Where to buy fruits in Phuket? The freshest and juiciest ones can be found at Night Markets. They can also be found at supermarket stalls and fruit markets.

We’ve figured out the familiar fruits, but which exotic fruits in Phuket should you try? For example, pitahaya or dragon fruit – the fruit of a cactus with bright pink or yellow skin covered in “scales,” which is why it got the nickname “dragon fruit.” Inside, there is delicate pulp of white, red, or even purple color with small black seeds.

Papaya – on the outside it looks like a large elongated melon. The skin is green on unripe fruits and bright orange or yellowish on ripe ones. Inside, the flesh is soft and juicy, ranging from delicate orange to deep red, with many black seeds in the core. Ripe papaya tastes sweet, honey-like, and very tender, while unripe papaya has a neutral and slightly grassy taste. That is why in Thailand it is often used in salads.

Passion fruit – a round fruit about the size of a small apple. The skin can be yellow or purple (both varieties are found on the island). Inside there is bright yellow pulp filled with many juicy seeds in a sweet-and-sour jelly-like juice. The taste is vivid, tropical, with a pronounced tang and exotic aroma, reminiscent of a mix of citrus fruits and pineapple. Thanks to its freshness, passion fruit is often used in drinks, desserts, and smoothies.

Durian – a giant fruit with a specific smell, but an incredibly delicate taste. If you can overcome the smell, you will feel notes of custard, cheese, nuts, ripe banana, and creamy ice cream. Read more about durian in the article The Most Controversial Fruit.

Jackfruit – another large fruit with a specific smell, tasting like a mix of pineapple and banana. It is also called “tropical bread.”

Markets also sell a lot of other exotic specimens: guava, lychee, longan, rambutan, mangosteen, and other fruits worthy of attention. You can read more about them in the article What Fruit Are You?

Now you know which fruits in Phuket are the most popular and which are worth trying for personal experiments. You will probably want to take fruits home with you, and how to do this safely – read in the article Rules for Carrying Fruits.

By the way, you can also try exotic fruit dishes and more in places from the Cafes and Restaurants section, especially pay attention to the selection of establishments with Thai cuisine.