Fruits Applenty

Today we were in Chinatown for dinner and so afterwards my gf and I went for a walk. Eating a big dinner has a way of making me feel fat and sleepy. Therefore the walk was most necessary. As we made are way down the side walk we happened upon a fruit store. In true Chinatown style, half the produce was set up on the sidewalk and the store staff were actively trying to push their wares. However this shop sold the fruits of my youth. When I was young and visiting Malaysia, I came across these fruits and came to love them. The one pictured here is a mangosteen and is my favorite of them all. The taste is sweet and unique. It cannot be described but MUST be tried.


Here we have the durian and the longan. The durian of course is widely regarded as the "King of Fruits" as those who know it, love it. Be warned though that this spikey fruit is quite dangerous to handle but the taste is impecable. The best description for the taste was "a cross between custard and a burning rubber tire". Trust me. It is delicious. The texture is like ice cream and the flavour divides the gourmet from the rube.

If you can't get behind the durian, try the longan ("loh-ng-yan"). Common in most western grocery stores, the longan translates as "Dragon eye" and tastes much better than it sounds. Consider it a sort of firm grape. But the flavour kicks any grape's punk ass.

Now we move into the passion fruit catagory. Growing up in Canada made me oblivious to anything aside from apples and oranges. However when I went to Malaysia at the age of 10, I came across the passion fruit. The first one here is the sour sop. And the one of the right is the custard apple. Sweet and delicious. Tropical and exotic. Don't fear them. Eat them on sight. Now!

Lastly we have the langsat. I was so surprised to see it here in Canada today. It's been more than twenty years since last I saw it. Well, I can tell you that yes it tastes awesome, but I would advise against trying it. Why? Because the skin possesses a milky sap that is so sticky and bitter than when you eat this fruit, you'll taste the bitterness and have sticky fingers. Not pleseant.

Anyhow that's all I gotta say on the fruit of my youth. They represent sweet innocence and a deep connection to the past. Take a bite.