Fruits

Mga Prutas sa Pilipinas
Fruits in the Philippines

Kaong

Kaong is the fruit of the sugar palm tree whose scientific name is Arenga pinnata. Translucently white in color and chewy in texture, the cute-sized fruits of the kaong are a popular ingredient in haluhalo, together with macapuno and nata de coco.

Aratiles

Scientific name: Muntingia calabura Variations on spelling: aratilis, aratiles, aratalis, alatiris A

Batwan

These batwan fruits are used as souring agents in Ilonggo cuisine.

Dayap

Dayap is the key lime familiar to Westerners, though few know that it’s actually a native plant of Southeast Asia.

Scientific name: Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle.

Caimito

The caimito is a fruit of the tree with the scientific name Chrysophyllum cainito. It is native to Central America and was introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period.

Star apple is its given name in English.

Rambutan

This is a popular fruit in the Philippines.

Carabao Mangoes

The most common variety of mango in the Philippines is what Americans refer to as champagne mango. It’s been called Manila mango, Ataulfo mango (named after its Mexican grower) and Honey mango. Filipinos call it manggang kalabaw (carabao mango) while the Philippine government refers to it as ‘Manila Super Mango.’

Durian

Durian fruit from Davao — for sale in Metro Manila. Photo by Angie Pastor.

The durián is the fruit of a tree belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family. People often mistake it for the jackfruit but it is different.

The flesh of the durián emits a distinctive odour even when its husk is intact.

Dalandan

Photo by Angie Pastor.

Scientific name of dalandan: Citrus aurantium.

To compare, the similar-looking dalanghita has the scientific name Citrus nobilis.

Mangoes

Mangoes are the most esteemed of Philippine fruits — the carabao variety more than the piko.

In selecting mangoes, one should look for those with firm, fully rounded cheeks, without bruises or black spots.

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