November 15th
2005
Salacca zalacca...or just Salak. A new fruit I ran into and simply had to buy, although Nicky did warn me (I have to give her that). It is usually a round to oval fruit, with a pointed tip (similar to a pear), growing on a very short-stemmed palm. What I was curiously attracted to, was its leathery skin, which is reddish-brown and resembles the scaly skin of a snake; hence why the fruit is also known as snakefruit (could have been a hint to its taste).
Best way to eat - if you're up for an interesting experience - is to peel it: pinch the tip of the fruit and pull away. I found the taste to be somewhat sweet, mainly acidic and foremost weird (almost foul in a way); the texture of the flesh varied from dry on the outside to a moist and stringy inside. I didn't find it exceedingly tasty - or let me put it this way, I don't think I'll have it again. I really would have liked to have a second opinion, but N. declined gracefully - the smell of it alone... :)
O.
It looks like it should have some natto and durian along with it.
You can find plenty of this fruit during rainy season in Thailand. This fruit is tasty, some people extract the juice to make some aromatic drink, and even candy. The only thing I don't like it is when I'm trying to peel it off, always hurts my thumbs.
You know what, Salak or Sala means 'Sacrify' in Thai.
From the appearance and smell alone, that was mighty adventurous of you to taste the fruit. Since I'd definitely pass on buying the fruit if I ever saw it, thanks for sharing your experience with us. I'll never have to wonder about it. ;-)
HS thanks for the additional info on the fruit. It's interesting to know that the fruit is also used to make drinks and candy. Also interesting is the name's meaning in Thai.
Best,
Paz
Egads!! And I thought I'd seen everything! Love the flash effect... almost wish it would turn into a mini scary snakefruit movie!
Hi Oliver, I agree this fruit looks somewhat suspicious - maybe it's the leathery skin.. _Maybe_ I would have tasted it, but if the smell wasn't too inviting either, I probably would have chickened out after all..
You're brave though:)
I had the chance to try it in India, very appealing and eye-catching look, but rather disguisting taste!
the flesh is supposed to be creamy opaque, not like what you have in the pic. when it is in that stage, its overripe and should not be consumed. i have eaten them many times. they are delicious! crunchy and sweet. a fruit from indonesia. salak - means snake skin in indonesian.
Hey,
that reminds me something. Last month, my sister and a friend were coming back from Paris. Entering the train they noticed that the smell in the train was bad, real bad but didn't know what smelled that bad until.... the SNCF employee noticed the cardbox smelling bad and inside was some salaks. Indeed it smelled bad !
stumbled onto your site. love the look and feel. will be visiting regularly. and good on ya for tasting the unfamiliar!
Hey there,
This fruit is quite common in Singapore and I've had it many times. It is called "Buah (meaning fruit in the Malay Language) Salak (meaning snake)". "Moist and Stringy" is definitely not what the texture of the fruit should be. I'm so sorry to tell you this after you have consumed the fruit but I think the one you had is over-riped and belongs in the bin. It should be crunchy, sweet and a just a little sappy.
Cheers!
like joan, i have never had salak in that color - i had it while visiting bali...and we also get it in singapore. its flesh is usually white and makes a really refreshing juice.
lovely pic though.
I love these snake fruits and I think you would like it if you like hot sambal or the likes. I first had these when I visited East Malaysia and I was served a sambal that was made from bird's eye chillies, toasted shrimp paste, snake fruit, dried shrimps, salt and sugar. Sambal is usually made with either lime or vinegar but they used snake fruit instead for sourness. I loved it because it had so much more depth than vinegar. The sambal was eaten with blanched vegetables and when you bite on the roughly pounded snake fruits, they were like pockets of sour explosions in your mouth.
Michelle, I think that's half the fun, isn't it? Not really knowing what one just bought and the anticipation of what it is going to taste like - got myself in trouble a few times on unknown culinary paths...
็HS!, Sher, Thanks for the additional info; you may be right, it could have been an overripe one (from sitting on the 'shelves'), even though it did look and feel good -- but there is no way I'll ever know for sure... ;)
Hmm.. your salak seems to be a bit too ripe already. I have it quite often and normally the color of the flesh is bit yellowish and not that brown. There are few variants back in Indonesia and I like salak pondoh most :)
I've been looking to find some of these in the states. They aren't grown much here except in south Florida private collections. I have a small plant of the esteemed Balinese variety. The fruits grow in clusters on a trecherously spiny little palm tree.
Salak fruit is delicious when is it perfectly ripe. The flesh is supposed to be milky white, and crispy. The one you have sampled is clearly past ripe, it looks a bit on the foul side. Definately disregard that taste experience you had!
If you, or anyone, think you could send me seeds from these fruits, I would be more than interested! Anyone? I do buy a lot of seeds.
I bought about seven of them when I was in Singapore, as I saw them and like you, was drawn and fascinated with the leathery snake-skin flesh of the fruit. I was so excited to try them, but when I had a taste I gagged immediately and spat into the rubbish bin. Quite disapointing. In the garbage they remain! Much like the durians I tried! I wish I liked them... but no can do!!!
My boss has just returned with this fruit...interesting isnt the word for it! We have described it as foul. disgusting, rotten, sickening and above all inedible for human consumption! We are doubtful this thing is even off this planet! The stench alone is enough to put may people off and the taste is even worse, we tried it 20 minutes ago and STILL have an awful aftertaste in our mouths! Avoid like the plague!
Hi, where can I buy this fruit in singapore?
Thanks
Mike
Usually you can buy them from Supermarkets like NTUC and carrefour. Look under the section with dried fruits.
In my country, Indonesia, these fruits are very common. The most famous variant are salak Pondoh & salak Bali. They are sweet & crunchy.
Oh NO!!!!! This fruit only tastes and smells bad when it is rotting, just like any other fruit! How good can a rotting apple taste?!? The best salaks come from Bali, Indonesia where it is often placed in fruit baskets in your hotel room. The fruit is eaten when the inside is creamy white and crunchy and taste similar to a pineapple. DELICIOUS!
I had this in Hawaii. The flesh should be firm & creamy yellow/white. The texture should be crisp and the taste is like pineapple. The peeled lobes resemble large garlic cloves. Very nice - not at all unpleasant.
I tried one today (I'm in Singapore) and found it to be okay. I was told by a local that the flesh should be firm and crispy. She plucked some perfect ones for me right out of the basket.
I have a few salak seedlings growing now. I am very excited. Now I just have to wait 4 years for the first crop. I have never tasted one myself.
I tried it in Bali, found it quite tasty, then I tried one in Jogja, not so good... I looked it up in Wikipedia under 'snake fruit', found that Bali's variant is better suited to foreigners' taste. Lemony and pineapple is how they described it.
To Tomas, if you have to wait 4 years(!) to taste them, make sure your crop are of the Bali cultivars. :-)
March 2008 I tried a snake fruit for the first time in Hong Kong. My uncle warned me about it. It was crunchy and stinky. Almost smelled rotten. Was it not ripe yet? or just one that was off?
I think that might be the most interestingly scary fruit I have ever seen! That said, I most likely would have bought one myself too, since buying odd fruits and other food oddities is one of my weaknesses!