I’d have to be crazy not to live in Thailand . I love fruit and there’s more here than you could shake twenty sticks at !
I’ve just eaten what seems like 20 kilograms of a fantastic little fruit , called ( Lam Yai ) , or Longan . It comes from the North . Small, with light-brown husks that crack-off , they are one of the easiest fruit to open and most rewarding when you do . Lovely clear , to white flesh with a small black seed .
Mangosteens , ( Mang-Khoud ) are arriving in the markets and , of course , I eat them by the bucket-full ! They are , without doubt , one of the pleasures of life . Once you open the hard purple case with the four little leaves on top , the firm group of white fruits in the centre are gathered together in formation , just ready for a gulp ! Maddening flavour !
The little bananas ( Kluai narm-waa ) which I love , are arriving on my back-yard trees ! (see photo) . They are little fat fingers , full of flavour ! Mmmmm. They are available nearly all year round and a hand costs around 10 baht .
For the connoisseur , the Durian ( Thurian ) is everywhere . I don’t eat them anymore , mainly because of the high Sodium content . The strong aroma takes some getting used to ! Thai people rave about them but , I’m afraid , the last time I tried them , I started to sweat copiously , and decided then and there , to leave them for my friends ! Strange fruit !
Fantastic fruits are available at different times of the year ; Mango ( Ma-muang ) , Custard Apples ( Noi-na ) , Jackfruit ( Khanoun ) , Lychee ( Linchi ) , Pineapple ( Sapparot ) , Papaya ( Mala-kaw ) and Malaysian Rambutan ( Ngaw ) and many , many others .
So , if you feel the need to indulge yourself , ( ‘ like pig-out , man ‘ ) , come to Thailand and do it !
Bob ( with the bulging belly !)
