Questions from a friend

As a result of my previous post, I received a comment / question from my friend Valli at More than Burnt Toast

I was going to reply to her as a comment but realised, that in my habit of going on an on about a subject, it might be better to post it as a post.

This is what Valli asked:

Hey Dharm..I was speaking with my dad on MSN and he wanted me to let you know he was in Port Dickson, KKB, Seremban, Penang and the Cameron Islands when he was in Malaysia.I'm sorry about my spelling. I hope you don't mind me asking you a few questions on your postings? Dad said he loved a Malaysian fruit that was as big as a plum ,with a sweet white interior ,that was a little bit chewy with a pit in the middle. He can't remember the name of it. Also a fruit like an orange but the size of a football. He says one segment would be plenty for 1 person. He also does not remember the name of that fruit as well.

Firstly Valli, you got all the spelling correct with the exception of Cameron Highlands! Yes, it's in the hills thus the name Highlands and not islands - but how were you supposed to know!

Anyway, Cameron Highlands is famous for its Tea plantations, Strawberry Farms and flower gardens. The tea and strawberries grom well because of the cool climate. Same goes for the flowers where you get different varieties that wouldnt grow otherwise in the lower land areas where temperatures are much, much hotter.

As for your fruits:

I would assume the plum like fruit your dad is talking about would be Rambutan. It's a red fruit, about the size of a plum, with many longish 'hairs' on it. Hence its name as Rambutan mean the 'hairy one'. The skin is broken to produce a white fleshy fruit inside that is a little juicy and has a large pith inside too. There is an excellent site with great pictures about this fruit rambutan.com

Next question was about a fruit like an orange but the size of a football. Cultural Problem now....!! When you say football, what shape are you referring to? Do you mean round as in what we call footballs here ( soccer balls) or do you mean ovalish as in what you call footballs in North America (American Football or Rugby style balls) *Cheeky Grin*

So.. I would presume you're referring to the oval shape and it would be a Papaya. But don't you get Papaya or Paw Paw in North America? Maybe a different variety perhaps. But I would think that is what your Dad was referring to.
If you are referring to the round shape, I would think it is what we call Honey Melon or a type of Canteloupe.

Hope that helps and that everyone reading has learnt a little something more. This is fun indeed!