How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Eating a Rambutan

2Using Extra Rambutans

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Reviewed byMarrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: October 4, 2023Approved

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The rambutan is a fruit native to Southeast Asia, and is now grown in tropical climates all over the world. If you've never seen one before, you may be confused on how to eat it. Once you learn it, it's easy, simple, and delicious!

Things You Should Know

  • Select a ripe rambutan and cut a slit in the skin with a pairing knife.
  • Tear the cut skin off the rambutan to open it up. Pull 1 side completely off the fruit like you're opening a hinged lid.
  • Cut around the center seed and pull it out. Then, pop the rambutan in your mouth and enjoy!

Part 1

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Eating a Rambutan

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  1. 1

    Select a ripe rambutan. Rambutans start out green, then turn red, orange, or yellow as they ripen. The hair-like "spines" are green when the rambutan is freshly picked, but after the spines turn black, the fruit remains good for at least a few days.[1]

  2. How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (5)

    2

    Cut a slit in the skin. Hold the rambutan firmly on a flat surface, gripping both tips. Place a sharp paring knife along the middle of the fruit, as though cutting it in half. Cut gently, severing the hairy, leathery skin without piercing the flesh. Carve halfway around the fruit to extend this slit.

    You can tear the skin with your thumbnail instead, or even bite open a slit. The spines are soft and harmless, but the skin is inedible and may taste bitter.

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  3. How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Open the rambutan. The cut skin should tear apart easily. Pull one side completely off the fruit, as though opening a hinged lid. Inside sits a fruit similar to a grape: oval, slightly translucent, and white or pale yellow.

  4. How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (7)

    4

    Squeeze to pop out the fruit. Squeeze the remaining skin gently to pop the edible flesh into your hand.

  5. How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (8)

    5

    Remove the seed. The seed in the center is not edible while raw. Cut into the flesh without severing the seed, and try to pull it out. Some rambutans ("freestone" varieties) have seeds that slide out easily, while others ("clingstone") stick to the flesh.[2] If you have a clingstone rambutan, just leave the seed in and spit it out when finished.

  6. 6

    Eat the fruit. If you removed the seed, just pop the flesh in your mouth. If the seed is still there, note that a tough, papery coating surrounds it. Nibble the flesh around it instead to avoid biting into it.

    • Most rambutans are sweet and juicy, but some varieties are acidic or slightly drier.[3]
    • Most rambutans have bitter seeds, although some may have a little sweetness. While a minority of people do eat the raw seeds, they contain traces of potentially toxic chemicals.[4] Eating them is not recommended, especially for children and animals.
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Using Extra Rambutans

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  1. 1

    Consider roasting the seeds. In some areas, the seeds are roasted and eaten, similar to how you would roast nuts. Although edible in this form, the seeds are slightly bitter and may have mild narcotic properties.[5] More research needs to be done before this is officially approved as safe to eat.[6]

  2. 2

    Make rambutan jam. Peel 1 pound (or 500g) rambutans, and two cloves, and boil them in water until the flesh separates from the seeds. Discard the seed coatings, then transfer the seeds to a little water and cook until soft. Cook the flesh, softened seeds, and 1½ cups (or 350g) sugar. Simmer for twenty minutes or until jam-like, remove the cloves, and seal in sterilized jars.[7]

    • For a faster dessert, stew the fruit after peeling and boiling.
  3. 3

    Refrigerate extra rambutans. Rambutans are only good for two weeks at most, and usually only a few days after buying them from a store. Refrigerate them whole and unpeeled in a perforated plastic bag to extend their lifespan.[8]

  4. 4

    Freeze rambutans for a special dessert. Freeze whole, unpeeled rambutans in a zip-locked bag. Peel them and suck on them directly from the freezer for a milky, candy-like treat.

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  • Question

    Is it safe to eat the fruit if part of the seed coating is stuck on it?

    How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

    Community Answer

    Yes, you may eat a small amount of the seed coating if it is stuck to the fruit.

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    Where can I get a rambutan?

    How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (17)

    Community Answer

    You can get a rambutan at many Asian grocery stores. Some well-stocked supermarkets may occasionally carry them as well.

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  • Question

    What if I ate the seed by accident?

    How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (18)

    Community Answer

    Don't worry. It will come out on its own, undigested, within a few days. Even if the seed was somehow crushed before consumption, just a single seed shouldn't do any harm.

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      Tips

      • After buying rambutan, you can keep it for three to five days in the refrigerator and covered with plastic wrap to reduce moisture loss (or leave them out if you live in a humid environment).[9]

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      • If serving to guests, leave half the skin on after cutting as a decorative holder.

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      Warnings

      • Watch out for fruit maggots, indicated by brownish, sandy stuff where the fruit is attached to the stem.

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      About This Article

      How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (31)

      Reviewed by:

      Marrow Private Chefs

      Culinary Experts

      This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 1,123,432 times.

      27 votes - 86%

      Co-authors: 35

      Updated: October 4, 2023

      Views:1,123,432

      Categories: Featured Articles | Eating Techniques

      Article SummaryX

      The easiest way to eat a rambutan is to cut the outer skin with a sharp knife. Squeeze the outer skin gently until the milky white edible center pops out. Then, cut into the flesh and remove the seed inside. Scroll down for information on what to do with your leftover rambutans!

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        "I knew what rambutan are, I have a friend from Indonesia, Dewita. I found rambutan in our local Walmart. We live in..." more

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      How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Eat a Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow? ›

      You can eat rambutan raw as long as you're cautious when chewing to avoid the pit. The sweet flavor and juicy flesh is a perfect addition to fruit salads, smoothies, or desserts all year long. Here are some ways you can include rambutan in your diet: Add rambutan fruits to a smoothie.

      Do you eat rambutan raw? ›

      You can eat rambutan raw as long as you're cautious when chewing to avoid the pit. The sweet flavor and juicy flesh is a perfect addition to fruit salads, smoothies, or desserts all year long. Here are some ways you can include rambutan in your diet: Add rambutan fruits to a smoothie.

      How many rambutan can I eat a day? ›

      Rambutans are high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. So you can eat them every day. However, rambutan is abundant in natural sugars and may raise blood sugar levels. Thus it is safe to consume only 5-6 per day.

      What if I swallow a rambutan seed? ›

      What happens if I eat one raw rambutan seed? The seed will get to your intestine and most of it will be excreted. However, the part that manages to pass from your stomach to your intestine may damage the intestinal wall and cause diarrhea. Furthermore, you could experience nausea as well as stomach pain.

      Can you eat rambutan on an empty stomach? ›

      Do not make a habit of eating lychees, longan, rambutans or similar fruits on an empty stomach - especially if underripe. Those fruits contain a compound that can affect the body's ability to produce blood glucose, leading to severe hypoglycemia.

      Should I put rambutan in the fridge? ›

      Rambutans are only good for two weeks at most, and usually only a few days after buying them from a store. Refrigerate them whole and unpeeled in a perforated plastic bag to extend their lifespan.

      Can rambutan cause stomach pain? ›

      Stomach upset: Eating rambutan in large amounts may cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Interaction with certain medications: Rambutan fruit has high levels of vitamin K, which helps blood to clot.

      Can we drink water after eating rambutan? ›

      Avoid water after fruits because it causes interruption with the absorption and digestive process in the stomach that would eventually cause acidity. With this people feel sick and nauseous after eating fruits. The recommended thing is to drink water at least an hour after eating fruits.

      What are 10 benefits of rambutan? ›

      There are several health benefits of rambutan fruit. It may reduce diabetes, lower blood pressure, and increase digestive function. Rambutan may be used for bacterial and viral infections. Additionally, rambutan may reduce inflammation due to its antioxidant properties.

      Is rambutan safe for 1 year old? ›

      Is rambutan healthy for babies? Yes. Rambutan is packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that not only aids in the absorption of plant-based iron, but also supports baby's skin and bone health. The high fiber content in this tropical fruit helps digestion by nourishing a baby's developing gut microbiome.

      Can you eat rambutan raw? ›

      Bite into the rambutan and spit out the pit or cut it out. Consume rambutan raw for a refreshing, sweet, tart snack, or muddle it into co*cktails, desserts, juice, smoothies, and jam. The flavor is similar to lychee but slightly tarter.

      What color are ripe rambutans? ›

      When buying rambutans, look for bright red skin. A little orange or yellow on the skins in addition to red is okay, but green skins mean the rambutans are unripe. Don't buy rambutans that have turned black or have a lot of black "hairs," as this indicates they are over-ripe.

      What does a rambutan taste like? ›

      Their taste is similar to lychee, as they belong to the same family. Rambutans have a sweet, fruity flavour with a hint of acidity reminiscent of strawberries and grapes. Additionally, there is a floral, tropical taste to them.

      Can you eat the shell of a rambutan? ›

      Are rambutan shells edible? Rambutan shells, like rambutan seeds, contain saponins that should not be consumed in large amounts. While they are technically edible, most choose to discard them because they're so bitter.

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