Fruits in Borneo

Tarap
Botanically it is known as Artocarpus odoratissimus and belongs to the Moraceae plant family like its related cousins the Jackfruit or Nangka, Chempadak and Breadfruit. The tree of the Tarap grows to a height of 20-25m, and is usually grown from seed. fruiting starts when the tree is about 4-5 years old. The flowers, both male and female look like light-bulb-shaped and sized fruits, the male inflorecence drop to the ground soon after releasing pollen while the female heads continue to grow to a large roundish and almost football sized fruit covered with spiny protrubences. The white flesh-covered seeds are attached to a centre core inside the fruit and can be seen (and eaten) when the skin is removed. The flesh is sweet with a strong fragrance. The Tarap is widely cultivated in Borneo and many "improved" varieties are known. Although it is also grown in the Philippines where it is called Marang, experts believe that Tarap is native to, and possibly introduced there from Borneo where wild trees are common in the jungle. Whereas in the Philippines the species only exists as cultivated plants and its distribution there limited to Mindoro, Mindanao, Basilan and the Sulu Archipelago. It is also known in Peninsular Malaysia (terap) and southern Thailand in the wild (with inferior fruits) but is not commonly cultivated.

Bambangan/ Mawang
Bambangan is a type of wild mango with brown skin and a somewhat pungent smell. This is not eaten fresh as a fruit but made into a pickle or cooked with fish for a distinctive flavour. Nevertheless, some iban people like to eat it as fruit. The tree of the Tarap grows to a height of 20-25m, and is usually grown from seed. fruiting starts when the tree is about 4-5 years old. The flowers, both male and female look like light-bulb-shaped and sized fruits, the male inflorecence drop to the ground soon after releasing pollen while the female heads continue to grow to a large roundish and almost football sized fruit covered with spiny protrubences. The white flesh-covered seeds are attached to a centre core inside the fruit and can be seen (and eaten) when the skin is removed. The flesh is sweet with a strong fragrance. The Tarap is widely cultivated in Borneo and many "improved" varieties are known. Although it is also grown in the Philippines where it is called Marang, experts believe that Tarap is native to, and possibly introduced there from Borneo where wild trees are common in the jungle. Whereas in the Philippines the species only exists as cultivated plants and its distribution there limited to Mindoro, Mindanao, Basilan and the Sulu Archipelago. It is also known in Peninsular Malaysia (terap) and southern Thailand in the wild (with inferior fruits) but is not commonly cultivated.

Klembuku
It has hairy skin just like rambutan fruit. The size is small, smaller than the size of an egg. The fruit will grow in bunch, just like grape. It has blood red skin color and white flesh. In the centre of the flesh is the seed. Please be careful not to swollen the seed when you eat this fruit. The flesh tastes rather sour. This fruit is also within the family of rambutan fruit. It has hairy skin. It appearance is very much like klembuku. What makes it difference is the black purplish color of its skin. It has white flesh and like klembuku taste rather sour. It grows mainly in Malinau District, East Borneo.

Pulasan
Common Name: Pulasan Scientific Name: Nephelium natubile Pulasan, originated from Malaysia, is very rare once out of South-east Asia, other than the Philippines. This crew-cut, punky fruit, is the cousin of the hairy rambutan.. Pulasan, is way under-rated. If compare to the rambutan, it is bigger, sweeter and the flesh does not stick to the seed. Moreover, the seeds are edible. But surprisingly, not much is known about this exotic fruit. Eating style is exactly the same as eating the rambutan. Just use both your thumbs to prise it open. The leathery skin is soft but it is thicker and slightly harder to tear it apart. Pop the white, translucent flesh into your mouth or just bite it from your hand. The rind is usually red to reddish-black. The flesh is sweet and slightly juicy, plus the seed is edible and tastes like almond. I would prefer this fruit anytime better than the rambutan but it is usually priced higher.

Tutong, Durio Dulcis

Durian Merangang Category: Edible Fruits and Nuts Trees Tropicals and Tender Perennials Height: over 40 ft. (12 m) Danger: Seed is poisonous if ingested Durian, or the scientific name is Durio zibethinus, is widely known and revered in Southeast Asia as the King of Fruits, the fruit is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and a formidable thorn-covered husk. Its name comes from the Malay word duri (thorn) together with Malay suffix that is -an (for building a noun in Malay), meaning thorny fruit. The fruit can grow up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lbs). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown and its flesh pale-yellow to red, depending on species. The hard outer husk is covered with sharp, prickly thorns, while the edible custard-like flesh within emits the strong, distinctive odour, which is regarded as either fragrant or overpowering and offensive. The taste of the flesh has been described as nutty and sweet.

Dabai, Canarium odontophyllum

Dabai is native to Sarawak and Brunei, growing in altitudes up to 700 metres. it is a very handsome, medium-sized (maximum 21 metres), upright growing tree with large, pinnate leaves. Clusters of olive-like fruits are held above the dark gree foliage. Leaves are thin and furry and the twigs are covered with golden down. New foliage emerges like fists of green or red velvet. Dabai fruits are a startling white colour when immature, turning blueblack when ripe. They are oblong in shape (35 to 40 mm long by 20 to 25 mm wide) and have a thin, edible skin. The white or yellow flesh inside is 4 to 7 mm thick and covers a single. large three angled seed. The flavour is unique, the texture thick and oily like a good avocado. The fruits are prepared by soaking them in hot water (55 C) for about tenminutes until they soften. They are eaten with a little soy sauce or salt, with a meal or as a savoury snack. They represent a rich energy source with good amounts of oils and proteins. The kernel or nut is also edible. Dabai trees are dioecious with separate male and female trees required for fruiting. They are very heavy bearers and yields of up to 800 kilograms per tree have been recorded. A planting distance of 9 metres is recommended. Prune bck young trees to produce more bushy growth.

Buah Ara
Genus for about 800 species of air timber , shrubs , and trees spread in the family Moraceae . This tree came from all over the tropics , with a few species that grow well in temperate to warm. Most species are evergreen , while the trees in temperate areas and areas with long dry season is the fall of leaves . This genus includes one species, the common fig ( F. carica ), which produces the fruit trade are called "figs". The fruit of many other species are also edible, although not a few popular. Examples of other trees including fig trees Bo and subgenus banyan . There are fig trees Wild Willowleaf enormous in South Africa are protected by the Wonderboom Nature Reserve . Figs, dried figs are also called, after the name of Ara in the Koran . This is because the pilgrims to buy fruit from Arab traders who call the local name.There are opinions that figs are among the earliest plants cultivated man.