Wondering about rambutan vs lychee? Both of these exotic fruits are popular, especially in Asian countries like Indonesia. They are healthy, tasty fruits and if you’re curious what they are, how they taste, and where to buy them, keep reading.
What is Rambutan?
Rambutan is a tropical fruit that is native to Indonesia. The word “rambut” means hairy in Indonesian, and “tan” means claw – referring to the spines on the fruit’s skin. Rambutan is related to other tropical fruits like lychee, longan, and ackee.
What does Rambutan taste like?
Rambutan has a sweet and sour taste. The flesh of the fruit is white or pink and translucent with a small seed in the center.
Rambutan health benefits?
Rambutan is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper, and manganese. It also contains antioxidants and fiber.
How to eat rambutan?
Rambutan can be eaten fresh, canned, or dried. The skin of the fruit is edible but may be removed before eating.
What to make with rambutan?
Rambutan can be used in smoothies, juices, or as a topping on desserts. Like soursop tea you may be able to find rambutan tea as well!
Where can you buy rambutan?
Rambutan can be found at Asian markets or online.
What is Lychee?
Lychee is a tropical fruit that is native to southern China. The word “lychee” comes from the Cantonese word for “gift”. Lychee is related to other tropical fruits like rambutan, longan, and ackee.
What does Lychee taste like?
Lychee has a sweet taste with a hint of citrus flavor. The flesh of the fruit is white or pink and translucent with a small seed in the center.
Lychee health benefits?
Lychee is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper, and manganese. It also contains antioxidants and fiber.
How to eat Lychee?
Lychee can be eaten fresh, canned, or dried. The skin of the fruit is edible but may be removed before eating.
What to make with Lychee?
Lychee can be used in smoothies, juices, or as a topping on desserts.
Where can you buy Lychee?
Lychee can be found at Asian markets or online.
My experience with rambutan and lychee
I’ve heard of both fruits but, was more familiar with lychee. I have not eaten both fruits in their raw form. Actually, I haven’t eaten either fruit raw. I’ve had lychee in smoothies and probably in desserts. It’s a common flavor when visiting a boba tea shop, which is where I usually get a lychee smoothie.
It’s sugary sweet, surprisingly.
It takes mildly tropical.
The color of the smoothie is white. I’ve probably had lychee in desserts at Asian buffets or Asian restaurants.
My experience with rambutan is seeing it in Asian grocery stores an most recently, in Costco!
They look like red furry little fruits. I’ve seen people on TV peel back the skin and eat them. I hope to try both fruits in their raw form, one day.
So, what’s the difference between rambutan and lychee?
Rambutan and lychee are both tropical fruits that are native to Southeast Asia. They are related to each other, as well as to other tropical fruits like longan and ackee. The main difference between rambutan and lychee is their taste – rambutan has a sweeter and sour taste while lychee has a sweet taste with a hint of citrus flavor. Both fruits have translucent flesh with a small seed in the center.
The two fruits are similar in many ways, but there are also some key differences. Both fruits are popular in Southeast Asia and have a sweet taste. However, rambutan is generally sweeter than lychee. Rambutan also has a softer flesh, while lychee is a bit firmer.
Rambutan is native to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, while lychee is native to China. Rambutan trees can grow up to 100 feet tall, while lychee trees only grow up to 40 feet tall.
Rambutan fruits have a hairy red exterior with green leaves coming out of the top. Lychee fruits have a smooth red exterior with no leaves. The seeds of both fruits are inedible.
When it comes to nutrition, both fruits are a good source of vitamin C. Rambutan also has more potassium than lychee.
So, what’s the verdict?
If you want a sweeter fruit, go for rambutan. If you prefer a firmer flesh, lychee is your best bet. And if you’re looking for a nutritional powerhouse, either fruit will do the trick.