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Rambutan Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to rambutan
About rambutan
Rambutan is a hairy red fruit that looks more like something you'd see in a children's book or on the ocean floor than something you'd find on your plate. They may seem exotic to Westerners, but this fruit is common throughout Asia, Australia, and tropical countries in Central America. It grows in clusters on medium-sized trees. Many people describe the flavor of rambutan as similar to the lychee fruit but a little more tart. If you're unfamiliar with that flavor, think of it as tasting like a grape and strawberry with a slightly acidic and sweet taste.
This stone fruit has a hairy exterior that covers a smooth white fruit underneath, and the name rambutan comes from the Malaysian word "rambut," which translates to "hair" in reference to its exterior. You can easily peel open the rambutan by splitting the skin apart with your nails and pulling it back, much like you would with an orange. Even though the spines look sharp, they are rather soft and bend back easily, so you don't need to worry about puncturing yourself.
How to tell if rambutan is ripe
The rambutan is typically in season in December and January, although the tropical trees also bear a shorter harvest in August and September. They won't ripen further once harvested. You want to purchase rambutans that have bright red skin. Selecting ones that have a little yellow or orange on the skin are okay, but green skins signal that the rambutans are unripe. Certain varieties have yellow rinds when ripe, so make sure you know which variety you're purchasing. Those that are black or have little black hairs are overripe.
How to prepare rambutan
You can enjoy rambutan plain as a snack, combined with other fruits in a salad, muddled into cocktails, or simmered to make a flavorful simple syrup. Other options include baking it into cakes and bread or grilling it on a skewer.
Just about any tropical fruit will pair well with the rambutan's tangy flavor. Consider using pineapple, mango, and coconut, while tart citrus such as lemon and lime can accent the fruit's floral notes. If you're looking to add a little heat, hot chiles mix well with its sweetness. It's not recommended that you eat the seeds.
The next time you're in the mood for this delicious and unique fruit, let Instacart help you. Just open your Instacart app, add rambutan to your order, and an Instacart shopper will get started on your order. You can have the fruit delivered directly to your doorstep in as little as 2 hours so you can dig into your tasty rambutan!
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Buy your favorite Rambutan online with Instacart. Order Rambutan from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about rambutan
You want to avoid peeling rambutan until you're going to serve it. Some varieties of rambutans have seeds that slide out easier, which are called freestones, while others, called clingstones, stick to the flesh. All this means is that you might need to work a bit harder to get the fruit out.
To open the fruit, use a sharp knife to cut open the skin. Don't cut too deeply. If you happen to have a ripe rambutan, you might find that you can twist and open it with your hands. Peel away the skin to reveal the fruit. The spikes won't hurt you as they're not sharp, but make sure you're gentle, so you don't break the fruit. Cut open the fruit to remove the seed. Many times the fruit will come out smoothly, especially if you're able to twist it open.
Rambutans are delicate pieces of fruit and don't have a very long shelf life. They can keep for one or two days at room temperature, but if you want to keep them for a few more days, wrap them in a paper towel and place them in a breathable plastic bag. Store them at high humidity in the refrigerator, and they will last for up to two weeks. However, if placed in the refrigerator, they quickly lose their fragrance. You can also freeze whole, unpeeled rambutans in a zip-topped plastic bag. When you remove them, simply peel and enjoy.
Rambutans are low in calories and have several health benefits, including the following:
- Antioxidants: The fruit has high amounts of antioxidants, which can help lower your risk of cancer.
- Copper: Although the body only needs a small amount of copper, this mineral works along with iron to keep your blood healthy and red blood cell production at its best.
- Dietary fiber: The rambutan's high soluble and insoluble fiber content helps with digestion and prevents constipation.
- Potassium: This mineral helps your kidneys function properly and your muscles contract.
- Vitamin C: Rambutan has a substantial amount of vitamin C, which can keep your immune system healthy and reduce the risk of cancer.