Many visitors to Thailand are surprised to learn that their favorite fruits aren’t available all year round. They assume that because the tropics are warm all year round, their favorite fruits will be available.
However, Thailand has several fruits that are at their peak of ripeness and flavor in the rainy season, which is between May and October. Growers consider these fruits a major source of revenue for the country’s economy.
Country of Microclimates
When you visit Thailand, you may be surprised to learn that while all the fruits are available in the country’s markets, they are not grown in every part of the country.
The farmers of Thailand realized long ago that some fruits grew better in certain parts of the country than others because of slightly different regional weather patterns or microclimates. Developing local varieties of fruits that suit the weather and choosing to grow some fruits over others is the method Thai farmers use to reap the most benefits from their different locations in Thailand.
Overlapping Growing Seasons
Thai seasonal fresh fruits don’t grow strictly within a single season. Almost every fruit overlaps seasons, as the tropical differences between the seasons can be subtle, and the beginnings and ends of seasons can vary a bit from year to year. The six fruits we’re highlighting all overlap into the rainy season and are some of the world’s most popular tropical fruits.
Mango
Mango season in Thailand runs from late March through July, and during this period, you’ll see market stalls around the country piled high with fragrant, juicy mangoes. One of Thailand’s favorite desserts is mango with sticky rice and during mango season, you’ll often see lines forming outside restaurants and shops that specialize in the dessert.
Pineapple
The pineapple business steps into high gear around the yearly harvest season of June. You’ll see many pickup trucks selling pineapples along the sides of busy roads in Thailand. These trucks are often the best place to buy pineapples as they have the ripest and sweetest fruit brought directly from the fields. Phuket and Chonburi pineapples, in particular, are well-known for their sweet taste.
Rambutan
Rambutans barely qualify as a rainy-season fruit. Their harvest season generally ends in May or early June. When picked during the hot months of March and April, they are often chilled before serving. They have a light, sweet, refreshing taste that resembles the flavor of lychees. One of the first things a young Thai child is taught is the art of twisting open a fresh, ripe rambutan to enjoy during a family gathering.
Pomelo
Pomelos are the largest members of the citrus family and have their peak harvest season during July. There are both yellow and pink varieties of pomelos grown in Thailand. Their unique flavor reminds some of a tangier and less-sour grapefruit. Many people also become addicted to their texture, which is almost crunchy and bursting with juice.
Durian
Durian is another fruit that barely makes it onto the list of rainy season fruits as its peak harvest season is around May and early June.
Called the “King of Fruit,” durian is world-famous for its unmistakable strong odor and rabid fanbase. Its creamy-textured flesh has a sweet, aromatic flavor. The fruit is loved everywhere in Southeast Asia, and during the height of the harvest season, many people have durian parties.
Longan
The longan’s name comes from the Cantonese term for “dragon eye”. The fruit has a thin brown skin covering translucent, white flesh with a black seed in the center. It’s a very sweet and juicy fruit that’s a favorite with children. With a peak harvest season in August, this is a true rainy-season fruit. It’s categorized as a “heaty” or warming food that goes well in the cooler rainy months.
Fresh Point Introduces the Fruits of Thailand
Fresh Point is a Thai company that specializes in exporting the freshest fruits and vegetables in Thailand to all regions of the world. With Fresh Point, you don’t have to travel to Thailand to sample the best fresh fruit the country has to offer.
We have almost 30 years of experience supplying fresh produce to the world’s markets and hold globally recognized certifications that ensure quality standards and sustainable practices for all our products.
We also provide bespoke packaging that ensures our 60+ varieties of fruits and vegetables arrive in your country safely. Take time to discover our non-fresh products like dried mango, tamarind and durian, as well as dried pandanus and herbs. Contact Fresh Point today to find out more.
