Rambutans

 The rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the familySapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Sri Lanka and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the Lychee, Longan, andMamoncillo. It is believed to be native to the Malay Archipelago, from where it spread westwards to Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka and India; eastwards to Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. The name rambutan is from the Malay word rambutan, which literally means hairycaused by the 'hair' that covers this fruit, and is in general use in Malay and Filipino.

There is a second species regularly for sale at Costa Rican markets which is known as "wild" rambutan. It is a little smaller than the usual red variety and is colored yellow. The outer skin is peeled exposing the fleshy fruit inside which is then eaten. It is sweet, sour and slightly grape like and gummy to the taste. In Costa Rican Spanish it is known as mamón chino (translated "Chinese sucker") due to the likeness of the edible part with Melicoccus bijugatus and its Asian origin.


Nutrient

Rambutan, canned, syrup pack

Nutritional value per serving
Serving size	100 g
Energy	343 kJ (82 kcal)
Carbohydrates	20.87
Dietary fiber	0.9
Fat	0.21
Protein	0.65
Water	78.04 g
Vitamin A equiv.	0 μg (0%)
Vitamin A	3 IU
- beta-carotene	2 μg (0%)
Thiamine (Vit. B1)	0.013 mg (1%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2)	0.022 mg (1%)
Niacin (Vit. B3)	1.352 mg (9%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.018 mg (0%)
Vitamin B6	0.020 mg (2%)
Folate (Vit. B9)	8 μg (2%)
Vitamin B12	0.00 μg (0%)
Vitamin C	4.9 mg (8%)
Calcium	22 mg (2%)
Iron	0.35 mg (3%)
Magnesium	7 mg (2%)
Manganese	0.343 mg (17%)
Phosphorus	9 mg (1%)
Potassium	42 mg (1%)
Sodium	10.9 mg (0%)
Nutrient values and weights are for edible portion Percentages are relative to US recommendationsfor adults.