As Brunei’s tropical fruit season peaks, local markets are bustling with fresh produce like durians, rambutans and langsat.
Vendors, like Ezai with the popular ‘durian putih‘ in Madang and Siti Apsah selling rambutan at the Sumbangsih market, are experiencing brisk sales. Many sellers harvest their own fruits or resell for others, contributing to the trade.
Among the enthusiastic customers was a British family on holiday in the Sultanate. Eight-year-old Albie, who tried durian for the first time, quickly became a fan. “Durian is my favourite fruit. I tried three types – red, yellow and white. Yellow is my favourite,” he said. Albie also enjoyed rambutan and mangosteen, and bought longan and jackfruit from the market.
Albie’s father, Jay, said his son’s interest in durian began after learning it was banned on the metro in Singapore. “He bought some durian crisps and made the hotel room smell. He was very excited to try the real thing and loved it. He’s also been getting us mangosteens at breakfast and eating our portion,” Jay shared.
Five-year-old Alannah expressed her fondness for the local grapes, which she finds bigger and juicier than those in England.
“I also got to drink out of a real coconut,” she added, enjoying the experience of Brunei’s tropical offerings.
Their mum Lauren prefers rambutan, longan and mangosteen but is less keen on durian. “I can’t get used to the smell. The texture is okay, but it smells like it tastes,” she said.
Sri Lankan expatriate Thilaka Jinadasa shared her thoughts on local fruits, admitting she isn’t a fan of durian due to its smell.
However, she enjoys rambutan and finds it reasonably priced compared to Sri Lanka, where it’s also in season. “We have different varieties in Sri Lanka as well,” she said, noting the similarities and differences in the fruit culture between the two countries. – Fadley Faisal
