Salak
„Snakefruit“

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Salak or snakefruit, as it is also called due to its scaly skin, is the fruit of a palm tree, originating in South East Asia. Currently, the main growers are Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Description:

The fruit may be tear- or pear-shaped, or oval with a tip. At a length of 2.5-8cm, its diameter is between 5 and 8cm. The skin is reddish-brown and shingle-like scaled. In the interior of the fruit, the yellowish-white pulp is divided in three segments and covered with a thin membrane. When the fruit is ripe, it has a pleasing sweet-acidic taste. In unripe condition however, it is unpleasantly bitter and astringent.

Marketing :

The fruit is available year round and mainly imported via airfreight from Indonesia and Thailand. Ripe fruits may be stored 3 to 4 days at. 7° C . Unpeeled fruit, marinating in a sugary saline water can be stored for 3 to 4 weeks.

Use:

The fruit is eaten mainly raw. For this, the skin needs to be cut or torn at the tip and then peeled off; then the membrane must be removed because it may be unpleasantly bitter. Unripe fruits after having been peeled and the membrane removed, are boiled with sugar in Water, to be softened. The soft fruit is then chilled and served.