Third Insight Design and Nursery

Sometimes when you don’t go searching for something it just appears. This is one of those fruits. I spoke with my friend Alexandra Serrao about this fruit before I left and had zero intentions of actually enjoying it.

As I was walking back from the Penang Botanical Garden I saw it on the side of the road and couldn’t believe I was about to try it. It’s the end of the season and I felt so fortunate. The palms were right behind the roadside stall and the guys slangin’ them made the experience that much better!

This is the so called ice apple or Borassus flabellifer and many accounts state it was introduced to Malaysia but is native to many countries in Southeast Asia.

It not only quenches thirst but also helps with stomach digestion and I can honestly say it was delicious. It’s like a water filled baby jelly coconut.

Its cousin the toddy palm, Borassus aethiopium is also highly sought after for its large and delicious fruits.

I still cannot believe I got to eat this fruit. I’m only 9 days in my 2 month trek and I feel like I’ve been here for months.

Thank you Malaysia. Thank you Penang. Thank you tropical fruit.