Seasonal Fruits of Malaysia - Guide for Tourists

It so happens that several times that I landed on the Malaysian soil, I expected to find some local fruits being sold at stalls along the streets, which is really a common scene when the fruits are in season.

But to my greatest disappointment, the fruits were not harvested yet because they were not ripe or some of them were even months too early. Therefore I keep in mind that I will be there when the fruits are ready the next time I visit the country.

1. Durian

The durian fruit, hated by some for its ‘smell’ but loved by many for its taste!

Although some people, especially the foreigners, despise the smell coming out from the fruit, a durian is always sought after because of its taste, that is once you get past its persistent odor.

The meat can be used in local cuisine and it is quite a delicacy once you try it fully ripe since, in this state, the smell won’t be that strong anymore. Yet the taste is still creamy and rich.

Durians may be found at any time of the year as they can be imported from the neighboring countries, but for Malaysian durians, they will be available from June to August and onwards.
Image credit: Yun Huang Yong from Harbord, Australia

2. Rambutan

The hairy fruit that is perhaps, a cousin of the Lychee fruit?

This furry, exotic fruit comes in red and yellow. They respond well to rainy seasons, which is from June to November. The best rambutans may be harvested around August where at times, the fruits will be sold at the lowest prices and sometimes even be given away for free. Apart from tasting sweeter than the ones harvested earlier in the season, the flesh is also thicker and more satisfying to consume.

You could also encounter rambutan preserves in jars which is one of my favorite spreads for breakfast.
Image credit: By Tu7uh – Own work, CC BY 3.0,

3. Mangosteen

Mangosteen, nothing to do with mangoes, but as juicy as ever!

Often considered as a nutrient-rich food, mangosteens show up following a rainy season and after a dry spell, typically from August onwards.

Covered with a thick, hard deep purple skin, its white flesh is pleasant with a mixture of tangy and sweet, and fibrous texture.

Mangosteen is largely produced only in Southeast Asia where they will be exported commercially around the world, so grab the chance to taste it while you’re in its homeland.
Image credit: By مانفی – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

4. Guava

The pink guava – said to be a good anti-laxative fruit.

Commonly in a white flesh, a guava may also come in pink, though they equally boast outstanding tastes.

The fruits require a long period of drought, where the blooms are not interrupted or damaged due to rainfall which also affects the quality of the fruits when harvested after the rain.

To achieve the best batch of guavas, orchard owners will make sure the trees bear fruits when it’s dry, which is somewhere from June to July. This is ultimately the season for guavas, where you can enjoy eating them fresh or turning them into juice.

Image credit: By Rodrigo.Argenton – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

5. Jackfruit

Even the seed is edible if you boil them with a pint of salt…

Known as the largest fruit in the world, a jackfruit can weigh up to 50kg when it’s ready to be harvested.

The good news is that this fruit is available all year round, but the bad news is that you have to wait for it to ripen, which is a tricky procedure as the fruit will be wrapped whole in a sack with its stem still attached to the tree.

It can take from 3 to 8 months for the fruit to be edible as even a slightly unripe jackfruit will leave bad, sticky sap taste in your mouth. A young jackfruit flesh, however, is often used in cooking.
Image credit: By Mullookkaaran – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,