Tastes in Abundance as Trees Bear Fruit

World

Tastes in Abundance as Trees Bear Fruit

Local people in Siem Reap province prefer planting star apple trees (commonly known as milk fruit) as shade near their house and to eat the ripe fruit. Photo by Isa Rohany

By Isa Rohany
February 14, 2024 3:10 PM

PHNOM PENH – When it comes to plants or trees, there are plenty in Cambodia. Following are the six fruit trees which are flowering, bearing fruit and selling in the market, especially in Siem Reap province.

Chrysophyllum cainito

Chrysophyllum cainito or star apples are grown in family plantations on farms or vacant land in the village. Local people in Siem Reap province prefer planting star apple trees (commonly known as milk fruit) as shade near their house and to eat the ripe fruit. Generally, milk fruit flower in October or November and bear fruit in mid or late January. The ripe fruit is abundant in February. Milk fruit is commonly seen in two, colors dark purple and white. Its taste is moderately sweet.

Palm fruit and palm juice

Palm trees begin to flower in November. People squeeze palm flowers to get palm juice at the beginning of this season. Palm juice is abundant in December and continues until May or before the rainy season. Palm juice has a sweet and delicious taste and can be boiled to make palm sugar. Its fruit is also tasty and can be eaten raw or made into a dessert.

Mango

Khmer people, especially those in Siem Reap province, plant mango trees at their houses. Cambodian keo romiet mango are widely planted but not many keo chen mango or pum sen mango are planted.

Mangoes start flowering in December and are abundant from February to April.

Corn

Farmers can produce crops almost every month, but this season is more favorable. Farmers who have farmland after harvesting rice, also plant corn. Siem Reap people prefer growing yellow corn, multi-colored corn and waxy corn.

Melon

Melon is widely grown on plantations or fields. Some farmers prefer to plant melons and corn in the same fields or separately. Some people make dessert by slicing ripe melons into small pieces and mixing them with coconut milk or milk and adding sugar. Some make melon smoothies.

Jujube fruit

Jujube fruit is abundant in Siem Reap province, not only in the forest but also in the village. Mostly, people pick ripe jujube and soak or mix them with sugar and salt for sale in the market. The taste is sour and sweet. Jujube can be seen as a snack.

A tourist guide in French language, You Khemarak said he always introduces Khmer seasonal food and fruits to tourists to eat. These include mango, willughbeia edulis (commonly known as kuy fruit), palm fruit, rambutan, durian and milk fruit.

He also recommends tourists taste grilled frogs, crickets and other insects.

Khemarak said food and fruits are important to attract tourists as they wish to taste local products.