Name: Nephelium lappaceum
Botanical Family: Sapindacea
Common Names: Chinese Mamon or Rambutan
The intense red color of its fruits and the exquisite sweet taste of its fruit assure us that we are in presence of our tree of the month of July, El Mamón Chino or Rambutan.
This tree begins its fruiting period starting in the month of July, when it is common to find roadside sales of its fruit around our local communities, which greatly strengthen the economy of local producers and their plots of cultivation. Despite being introduced to our country from Malaysia, the Mamón Chino, in recent years has become one of the most desired fruits in the region.
In addition to the significant economic contributions to the local producers, the fruit has major ecological contributions as well, as it is consumed by a wide variety of mammals among which stands out the Squirrel or Titi Monkey. This fruit is nutritionally characterized by containing high amounts of vitamin C and to a lesser extent contains type B vitamins and folic acid, essential for pregnant women. Potassium is the most abundant mineral, likewise there is a significant contribution of magnesium. The fiber found in the fruit is said to improve the workings of the intestines.
Be sure to savor these delicious fruits found throughout the Naranjo River Biological Corridor while they are in season!
