Buy what fruitsWhat's in season at Singapore fruit stalls, and which country to look for.

Rambutan

红毛丹 · rambutan

Rambutan in October (this month)

No fresh crop this month

Not usually on shelves this month.

MalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesia
Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping
Skip this month (4)
MY
MalaysiaPerak, Johor
Off season
Anak Sekolah, Gula Batu
Not shipping now
Main crop Jun–Aug, with a smaller Dec crop. Mostly sold at wet markets and fruit stalls.
TH
ThailandSurat Thani, Chanthaburi
Off season
Rong Rien, See Chompoo
Not shipping now
May–Aug. Rong Rien is crisp and comes away cleanly from the seed.
VN
VietnamBen Tre, Dong Nai
Off season
Java rambutan (Chom chom Java)
Not shipping now
May–Aug.
ID
IndonesiaNorth Sumatra (Binjai)
Off season
Binjai
Not shipping now
Dec–Feb, when other origins are out of season.

How to pick at the shelf

  • SkinBright red.
  • HairsFresh, with green tips. Black hairs mean a few days old.
  • FeelFirm, not soft.

At home

KeepFridge
Lasts3–5 days

Keep in a bag so the hairs don't dry out and blacken.

Buying tips (3)
  • Rambutan peaks Jun–Aug, the same time as durian and mangosteen.
  • Bright red skin with fresh, green-tipped hairs is best. Black hairs mean it's a few days old.
  • It browns quickly once picked, so buy what you'll eat within two days.

Common questions

When is rambutan season in Singapore?
Malaysia: Jun–Aug; Thailand: May–Jul; Vietnam: May–Jul; Indonesia: Dec–Feb. Fresh-crop months by origin.
Which country's rambutan is best in October?
Rambutan is not usually on shelves in October.
How do I pick a ripe rambutan?
Skin: Bright red. Hairs: Fresh, with green tips. Black hairs mean a few days old. Feel: Firm, not soft.
How should I store rambutan?
Fridge. Lasts 3–5 days. Keep in a bag so the hairs don't dry out and blacken.

More from these origins