Rambutan facts and health benefits

Family:Sapindaceae(soapberry)

Scientific Name: Nepheleum Lappaceum L. var. Lappaceum

English: rambutan

Indonesia: rambutan

Cambodia: saaw paaw

Chinese: hooun mo daon; (putoghua): shah tsz

Vietnam: chom chom, vai tieu

What is rambutan?

Rambutan is an Indonesian term for hairy. It is considered as one of the most exotic fruit in Southeast Asia. According to research, rambutan fruit is native in Indonesia and Malaysia and now commonly cultivated in countries with warm weather temperature like the Philippines. This sweet little lychee like fruit tree grows about 12-29 m tall. The leaves are green and grows up to 30 cm long. The rambutan tree starts to bear fruit 2-3 years after it was planted. In the Philippines, rambutan fruit matures during September until October and gets fewew in November.

Uses of rambutan.

In Malaysia and Indonesia, rambutan is traditionally used as medicine for hypertension, diabetes, diarrhea and other ailments. It also has therapeutic function to kill and remove intestinal parasites which usually causes intestinal infection that leads to fever to children. The sweet taste of rambutan is best to make juice, ice cream, jam and jellies. In some countries, rambutan is cooked to make a soup. This fruit is also a best salad ingredient.

Nutrients of rambutan.

Rambutan is a good source of energy because it is rich in vitamin B complex. The fruit is also rich in vitamin C that protects the body from getting damaged by free radicals. The detoxifying ability of rambutan is strongly believed to be the best armor of our body to fight Cancer. Rambutan has a high water content that hydrates the body and leaving your skin soft and smooth.

Nutritional Facts of Rambutan according to USDA database:
Per 100 g (3.5oz)

Energy...343 kj
Carbohydrates... 20.87
Dietary fiber...0.9g
Fat...0.21g
Protein...0.65g
Thiamine (vit.B1)...0.013mg (1%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2)...0.022mg (2%)
Niacin (vit. B3)...1.352 mg (9%)
vitamin B6...0.02mg(2%)
vitamin c...4.9mg (6%)
Calcium...22mg (2%)
Manganese...0.343 mg (16%)
Phosphorus... 9mg (1%)
Potassium...42mg (1%)
Sodium...11mg (1%)
Zinc... 0.08mg (1%)