The large choice of Bali fruit makes it a delightful adventure to try them all. Most of the tropical fruit is available throughout the year, however, there are some seasons where there is fruit in abundance.
If you happen to visit Bali around December or in May then there are a lot of choices.
Fruit can be bought in the traditional markets, fruit stalls, roadside vendors and supermarkets. At the market, you have to negotiate a price and usually, people buy more than just a kilo. So if you want to taste a couple of fruits, then it might be easier to go to the supermarket.
Another nice way to try the fruit is to buy it along the street. There are many Balinese who sell sliced chunks of fruits packed in plastic. It is often safe to try this fruit because it is peeled in the morning.
Usually, you should be careful with eating fruit washed with water, as the water is not that clean in Bali. But luckily most of the fruit has to be peeled before eating, so there is nothing to worry about.
1. Salak:
This snakeskin fruit is crunchy and has a sweet flavor. To eat it you have to peel the skin off and break the parts.
It’s a bit like an apple but instead of small seeds, each part of a Salak has one hard wooden look-alike seed. The Salak from Java is tastier than the one from Bali.
2. Rambutan:
This might be everybody’s favorite fruit. Once you peel off the hairy skin (rambut means hair in Indonesian) then you will be treated with a juicy, white and sweet fruit.
Inside is a small seed. So be careful not to swallow it. And use a knife to open up the skin, it can get painful if you do it with your nails. skin is easily
3. Mango (Mangga):
This fruit can be found worldwide and is probably at your supermarket around the corner.
But the mango in Bali or any other tropical country is so much sweeter, juicier and tastier. When in season, this Bali fruit is excellent as a fruit juice. It’s high in vitamin C and A.
4. Mangosteen (Manggis):
This fruit is pretty expensive compared to the other fruits, but it might become one of your favorites.
To open it push careful with two thumbs into the skin and it will slowly break open. Inside are juicy white parts, some with a seed. Be careful with the skin, the stains are hard to get out.
5. Papaya:
This fruit has a thick and juicy texture. Its meat is orange to red and after you have removed its skin and seeds inside it’s delicious just to eat it straight away. However, most of the time papaya is served as juice and a squeeze of lime makes the drink extra refreshing. Eating this fruit is a great remedy if you having a hard time going to the toilet. In Bali you might need it…;-)
6. Durian:
People have a love or hate relationship with this spiky fruit (duri means spikes in Indonesian). People hate this fruit because it stinks. But if you love it then the smell is delicious and reminds you of the creamy texture of the fruit.
It’s difficult to open this thorny fruit, so you can eat it at the spot and the seller can open it for you. roadside stall cracked open.
7. Bananas (Pisang):
When in Bali you will soon learn that a banana is not just a banana. There are so many types of bananas from the tiny ladyfinger to the king banana.
The smaller ones are the best to eat while the bigger ones are used to create ‘Pisang Goreng’, fried banana. A delicious treat sold in the afternoon.
8. Guava (Jambu or Jambu Air):
Most people know the Guava but have never tasted the fresh version.
There are different types: one that tastes like an apple (see picture) or the tiny pink one that has a lot of water called Jambu Air. Both are refreshing fruits, just like an apple. This fruit is not peeled so make sure you wash it properly.
9. Watermelon (Semangka):
Who doesn’t know the watermelon? In Bali, you find this big heavy round fruit throughout the year.
Inside you will find the dark red colored flesh which is often used in fruit salads or in refreshing juices. So once in Bali, you should definitely enjoy this thirst killing fruit.
10. Pomelo (Jeruk Bali):
This fruit is like a massive orange or grapefruit.
The skin and fruit inside is exactly like that but everything is just a bit bigger and the taste is much sweeter.
You have to peel away the skin between the sections to get to the tasty part.
11. Pineapple (Nanas):
When you are in Bali you should definitely try a piece of fresh pineapple or pineapple juice. It is much better than the one at home or in the tin can!
You won’t want anything else after tasting a fresh one. Don’t be disappointed that this Bali fruit is smaller than usual. These types of pineapples have the best taste. One tip, don’t drink water after eating pineapple as this leaves a strange feeling in your mouth.
