Davao is regarded as the Philippines’ fruit basket because of its terrific year-round weather and abundant soil. This city on Mindanao’s southern island is one of the world’s top growers and exporters of several exotic fruits marketed in both domestic and overseas markets.
Suppose you find yourself in this region of the Philippines. In that case, we recommend that you don’t forget to pass by the market to try tasting all of Davao City’s fruits. Many fruits are available all year, but we recommend trying a few local favorites the most.
DURIAN
Durian is, without a doubt, the fruit that most people associate with Davao. If there is one native fruit in Davao City that you should try, it is the durian. You’ll most likely recognize a durian fruit right away. It’s enormous and horny, and once opened, it has a distinct pungent stench that no one will soon forget. It’s also known for being a divided opinion—you either love it or hate it. There is no third option.
Durian is known as the “King of Fruits” because of its incredible taste and excellent nutritional value. This unusual fruit is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, B6, and other B-vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and folic acid.
Durian is also high in minerals, including calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Durian is also an excellent source of water, protein, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
Don’t let the scent deter you if this is something you’re about to try for the first time. You never know; it may turn out to be something you enjoy.
MANGOSTEEN
While this purple-colored fruit is delicious to eat, much has been written about its medicinal benefits. Mangosteen is not only tasty, and juicy-it’s also notorious for staining garments if the rind is not carefully peeled.
It has no saturated fats or cholesterol and has a very low-calorie count. It’s also high in dietary fiber and might be a healthy option for people who don’t want to gain weight. It’s also high in Vitamin C and minerals, including copper, manganese, and magnesium.
MARANG
Another local fruit, marang, could make anyone’s gaze turn the other way the moment they see it. Marang, which looks like a durian, has a strong scent but is slightly aromatic. And like with durian, you’d have to chop through the peel to uncover the tiny, mushy seeds. Its juicy fruit, the size of seeds, makes it simpler to consume than a durian’s.
Protein, carbs, riboflavin, fiber, retinol, calcium, iron, phosphorus, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, and niacin are health benefits of the fruit.
RAMBUTAN
Rambutan is just another example of not letting the external aspect deter you from trying anything, even before you’ve had a taste. Rambutans may appear unappealing due to their hairy and bright red appearance. Still, they can be very sweet and addictive to eat once opened.
The rambutan, like the durian, is a thorny fruit. Surprisingly, the name comes from a Malay term that means “hairy,” but a juicy, soft fruit is revealed when the hairy skin is peeled away. The flavor is a cross between sweet and sour.
Rambutan is also related to other tropical fruits, including lychee, longan, and mamoncillo.
POMELO
Pomelo is a crisp and pulpy citrus fruit widely available in Davao. It resembles a more prominent grapefruit. This succulent and zesty fruit delivers a punch with its sweet and tart flavor. It also contains a lot of vitamin C. It is delicious on its own or as an addition to salads. You can even squeeze it and gulp down as juice at times.
Davao City has a variety of other fruits to offer. It’s not titled the “Fruit Basket of the Philippines” for nothing. When you visit Davao City, you will see more fruits such as bananas, guyabano, pineapples, santol, and so on. We should highlight these five because they aren’t commonly available in most places and markets.
