Rambutan

 Rambutan, sometimes called the hairy fruit, becomes ripe at the beginning of the rainy season in late April and early May. It is quite sweet and a favorite of the children.

On our small farm in central Thailand we have several rambutan trees. Long bamboo poles are used to reach the fruit high in the trees. 

When the fruit is low enough it can also be harvested by hand.

One must be careful if hand harvesting, as the fruit is a favorite of the fire ants.

The harvest usually takes several days or weeks as the fruit becomes ripe.

One tree can easily supply the needs of one family, and since we have several trees there is enough fruit for friends and neighbors.