Matoa fruits are native to Papua and consumed daily by the local people. However, you can find them more easily around the world now as they continue to gain people’s interest.
That being said, matoa fruits stand as an important commodity in Indonesia. So, where to buy matoa fruits aside from Indonesia? Do they look and taste the same after all?
Characteristics of Matoa Fruits
First, let’s talk about the definition and characteristics of matoa fruits. Pometia pinnada is the Latin name of matoa, and it belongs to the Sapindaceae family like lychee, longan, and rambutan. As they come from the same family, they all have unique sweet and refreshing aromas and tastes. You can tell that they are similar to each other in terms of taste and more.
Regarding appearance, matoa fruits have medium to thin skin. This outer skin varies in color, such as brown, green, red, and purple. The pulp of matoa fruits is plump and chewy, and it has a rather white/greysish color. People say that the pulp of matoa looks like longan but tastes more like rambutan.
There are two types of matoa fruits, namely coconut matoa and papeda matoa. The latter seems to be more popular though, and this type is what you would typically find more easily globally. While it is true you can buy matoa fruits anywhere now, the best quality products typically come from the original land.
Matoa Fruits in Thailand
Thailand is famous for its unique mangos. In every corner you go, there you find mangos. However, you can also find matoa fruits when you are craving one in this country. They do have a different name though. The next time you are at the local fruit vendor, try asking them for lamyai crystal. Indeed, matoa fruits are known as lamyai crystals in Thailand.
Matoa plants can grow anywhere although the fruits may taste a bit different. There are many factors, including the type of soil, the weather, and the maintenance of the plants to name a few. However, you can still taste the typical sweetness from matoa fruits when eating them in any country like Thailand.
Although eating matoa fruits raw is already delicious, enjoying them in the form of iced matoa tea is considered the next level. Imagine gulping down sweet and cold matoa tea in the heat of summer in Thailand. Both your thirst and craving for matoa fruits will be satisfied.
Matoa Fruits in Vietnam
Can you find matoa fruits in Vietnam? Of course, as matoa fruits’ popularity increases, you can find them even in Vietnam. Where to buy matoa fruits in this country? If you cannot find them in the market, try going to the farmer’s market.
Try asking the vendors there for some crystal fruits if they do not know the name matoa. You will recognize the fruits either way.
You will find the typical looking matoa fruits even in this country. Some may look green in appearance and some may look more reddish. The color of the pulp is also as white/greyish as you would find in Indonesia. That being said, of course they also taste as sweet and refreshing. You can eat them raw as usual or add them to your cold salad.
Matoa fruits in Chinese
Matoa fruits are also popular in China. Some people here may recognize the original name matoa but some may know it more as pacific lychee.
Matoa fruits or pacific lychee are high in demand in this country, similar to any fruits that come from the Sapindaceae family. You can typically buy pacific lychee at the shop that sells rambutan, longan, or lychee.
You can find matoa fruits in the form of sweet beverages or even pickles in China. As you know, pickles are big in East Asian countries. You must have some pickles as a side dish.
However, the sweet pickled matoa can be consumed as a snack on its own. This exotic fruit turns even more exotic in the form of pickles.
Some people choose to turn matoa into pickles as the pulp is quite perishable. You do not want to waste delicious matoa fruits, especially when you have a lot of them.
That is why preserving them as sweet pickles is a smart choice. Matoa fruits taste delicious either way.
Matoa fruits in Malay
Where to buy matoa fruits in Malaysia? You can find matoa fruits very easily here as it is the neighboring country of Indonesia. However, in this country, you may find matoa fruits under the name buah kristal instead. Matoa fruits are also called kasai langsir in Malay. In some parts of Malaysia, people even call matoa by yet another name, kelisar.
As the weather in Malaysia is rather similar to the one we have in Indonesia, matoa can grow well in any part of that country. That may be the reason why matoa fruits have several different names in Malay. You may find some locals try to cultivate this exotic fruit in the comfort of their own homes like people do in Indonesia.
Whether it is coconut matoa or papeda matoa, you can buy both types of matoa easily in Malaysia. They look and taste quite the same as the ones from Indonesia. Many people use matoa fruits when making cold beverages here. You won’t find any difficulties buying matoa fruits in this neighboring country.
One thing to remember though, the best matoa fruits would surely come from the original land of Indonesia. When the ones you get from around the world do not satisfy you, simply purchase them online from an Indonesian supplier like Nusagro.
With years of experience in growing and selling many exotic commodities of Indonesia, Nusagro will provide you only the premium matoa fruits you desperately needed.
In conclusion, Pometia pinnata is huge around the world. You won’t worry about where to buy matoa fruits in whichever country you reside. The locals may call the exotic fruit different names but you will recognize matoa fruits any time of the day. Nevertheless, matoa fruits remain a valuable commodity in Indonesia and the originals will always taste the best.
