What Is Snake Fruit and How Do You Eat It?

In my quest to discover new and exciting fruits, I had the chance to try snake fruit during a recent trip through Southeast Asia.

While snake fruit, also known as salak, might not be as sweet or refreshing as some of the other exotic fruits I’ve tried, I was pleasantly surprised by its unique flavor and texture.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the unusual snake fruit, including its origins, nutritional profile, and potential benefits.

Snake fruit is produced by the salak tree, a member of the palm family native to Sumatra and Java in Indonesia.

Today, salak is also cultivated in other regions in and around Indonesia, leading to several variations of the fruit.

Its shape and size are similar to a fig, with a distinct pointed tip. The fruit gets its name from its dark, scaly skin that resembles snake scales.

One of the best places to find and try snake fruit is Bali, one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist destinations. The fruit is widely enjoyed there, along with many other tropical varieties.

You can also find snake fruit in Bangkok and other well-known areas in Thailand.

How to Eat Snake Fruit?

The best way to eat a snake fruit is to remove the stem and then crack the fruit open. From there, you can simply peel off the skin.

What’s interesting is that the inside of a snake fruit looks a bit like large garlic cloves. Once you’ve peeled one, you’ll see what I mean.

Inside, you’ll find three lobes: two larger ones and a smaller one. The larger lobes contain seeds, which are not edible. Sometimes, the smaller lobe has a seed as well.

The lobes are covered in a thin, film-like layer, similar to the skin on a boiled, peeled egg. It’s best to remove this layer before eating.

The texture of the flesh is somewhat like an apple. Depending on the variety and ripeness, it can range from crunchy to crumbly, with a mix of bitter, acidic, and sweet flavors.

Salak fruit has an interesting nutritional profile. It’s especially high in iron, phosphorus, vitamin C, and calcium. Surprisingly, the fruit also contains nearly 1 gram of dietary fiber per 100 grams.

The nutritional information below is sourced from Wikipedia, though it doesn’t appear to be complete.

A full breakdown of nutrients is hard to find, but according to other sources, snake fruit also contains moderate amounts of potassium and vitamins B1 and B2.

Benefits

Snake fruit is often referred to as the “memory fruit”, supposedly because of its potassium content.

Potassium is a mineral that supports various bodily functions, including memory performance in the brain.

Calcium in snake fruit contributes to the health, structure, and function of teeth and bones, while iron plays a key role in maintaining energy levels and focus.

It’s also worth mentioning that, according to several sources, snake fruit may have anti-diarrheal properties. In other words, eating too much can lead to constipation. Fascinating!

Lastly, like many other fruits, salak is rich in antioxidants that help the body fight and prevent illness.

There you have it, an introduction to snake fruit, another exotic treat you might not have seen or heard of before.

I genuinely enjoy discovering fruits (and vegetables) that are a bit different from what we usually find in local supermarkets. Read my list of unusual vegetables if you’re keen to try something new.

Our planet offers a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, each with its own identity, nutrients, and flavors.

If you enjoyed snake fruit, you might also want to try cherimoya fruit. It’s another exotic fruit that tastes great, especially compared to salak.