Rambutan season in Pulau Ubin come closely just behind durian season in Ubin. So besides free durian, you can also find free rambutans too. Rambutan trees usually grow tall in its branches and are favorite fruits of Ubin monkeys which are called macaques. Flying foxes love them but they are nearly extinct, mass poisoned by Malaysian farmers protecting their cash crops. We only managed to spot one flying fox this year. Malaysia is becoming an unattractive place for eco-tourism when entire forests are cleared for palm oil plantations.
Uneaten, rambutans quickly rot and they are safely harvested using ladders. Its barks are slippery and the branches weak so do not climb. There was a sad accident where one person became a quadriplegic after a fall.
Not all rambutans are free as some are in private properties belonging to Ubin remaining householders. The coast guard will act if there are complaints. Together with Nparks, they are also on the look out for people who even chop a tree down for its fruits. Please help by reporting such activities. Meanwhile, warning signs should be posted for vulnerable groves..
Like most fruit trees, rambutan trees need lots of sunlight to flourish. Unattended, they are at risk being smothered by jungle creepers, depriving animal foragers of food. Nparks should take note and give nature a little assistance (Update: Mar 2011. Perhaps they are already doing it by encouraging volunteers to help out)
Other than plucking them, you may find them near Ubin jetty where they are put up for sale when they are in season.
Harvested rambutans have a short shelf life of 3 days. The fruit should be firm as squishy ones are usually over-ripe and may have turn bad. As for eating them, a wikiHow article suggested using a knife or to squeeze the rambutan till the skin breaks, then peel half the skin off. I find it easier and less messy to simply bite and spit off the skin before devouring the flesh.
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Tags: durian season, flying fox, macaque monkey, rambutan fruit
