How To Eat A Rambutan: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Eat a Rambutan PDF download Download Article Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: November 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Eating a Rambutan
    • |
  • Using Extra Rambutans
    • |
  • Recipe Ideas
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
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This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,190,098 times.

The rambutan is a fruit native to Southeast Asia, and is now grown in tropical climates all over the world. If you've never seen one before, you may be confused on how to eat it. Once you learn it, it's easy, simple, and delicious!

Things You Should Know

  • Select a ripe rambutan and cut a slit in the skin with a pairing knife.
  • Tear the cut skin off the rambutan to open it up. Pull 1 side completely off the fruit like you're opening a hinged lid.
  • Cut around the center seed and pull it out. Then, pop the rambutan in your mouth and enjoy!

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Eating a Rambutan

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  1. Step 1 Select a ripe rambutan. 1 Select a ripe rambutan. Rambutans start out green, then turn red, orange, or yellow as they ripen. The hair-like "spines" are green when the rambutan is freshly picked, but after the spines turn black, the fruit remains good for at least a few days.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Eat a Rambutan 2 Cut a slit in the skin. Hold the rambutan firmly on a flat surface, gripping both tips. Place a sharp paring knife along the middle of the fruit, as though cutting it in half. Cut gently, severing the hairy, leathery skin without piercing the flesh. Carve halfway around the fruit to extend this slit.

    You can tear the skin with your thumbnail instead, or even bite open a slit. The spines are soft and harmless, but the skin is inedible and may taste bitter.

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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Eat a Rambutan 3 Open the rambutan. The cut skin should tear apart easily. Pull one side completely off the fruit, as though opening a hinged lid. Inside sits a fruit similar to a grape: oval, slightly translucent, and white or pale yellow.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Eat a Rambutan 4 Squeeze to pop out the fruit. Squeeze the remaining skin gently to pop the edible flesh into your hand.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Eat a Rambutan 5 Remove the seed. The seed in the center is not edible while raw. Cut into the flesh without severing the seed, and try to pull it out. Some rambutans ("freestone" varieties) have seeds that slide out easily, while others ("clingstone") stick to the flesh.[2] If you have a clingstone rambutan, just leave the seed in and spit it out when finished.
  6. Step 6 Eat the fruit. 6 Eat the fruit. If you removed the seed, just pop the flesh in your mouth. If the seed is still there, note that a tough, papery coating surrounds it. Nibble the flesh around it instead to avoid biting into it.
    • Most rambutans are sweet and juicy, but some varieties are acidic or slightly drier.[3]
    • Most rambutans have bitter seeds, although some may have a little sweetness. While a minority of people do eat the raw seeds, they contain traces of potentially toxic chemicals.[4] Eating them is not recommended, especially for children and animals.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Using Extra Rambutans

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  1. Step 1 Consider roasting the seeds. 1 Consider roasting the seeds. In some areas, the seeds are roasted and eaten, similar to how you would roast nuts. Although edible in this form, the seeds are slightly bitter and may have mild narcotic properties.[5] More research needs to be done before this is officially approved as safe to eat.[6]
  2. Step 2 Make rambutan jam.... 2 Make rambutan jam. Peel 1 pound (or 500g) rambutans, and two cloves, and boil them in water until the flesh separates from the seeds. Discard the seed coatings, then transfer the seeds to a little water and cook until soft. Cook the flesh, softened seeds, and 1½ cups (or 350g) sugar. Simmer for twenty minutes or until jam-like, remove the cloves, and seal in sterilized jars.[7] [8]
    • For a faster dessert, stew the fruit after peeling and boiling.
  3. Step 3 Refrigerate extra rambutans. 3 Refrigerate extra rambutans. Rambutans are only good for two weeks at most, and usually only a few days after buying them from a store. Refrigerate them whole and unpeeled in a perforated plastic bag to extend their lifespan.
  4. Step 4 Freeze rambutans for a special dessert. 4 Freeze rambutans for a special dessert. Freeze whole, unpeeled rambutans in a zip-locked bag. Peel them and suck on them directly from the freezer for a milky, candy-like treat.
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Recipe Ideas

Ways to Incorporate Rambutan Into Meals

Community Q&A

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  • Question Is it safe to eat the fruit if part of the seed coating is stuck on it? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, you may eat a small amount of the seed coating if it is stuck to the fruit. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 158
  • Question Where can I get a rambutan? Community Answer Community Answer You can get a rambutan at many Asian grocery stores. Some well-stocked supermarkets may occasionally carry them as well. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 27 Helpful 85
  • Question What if I ate the seed by accident? Community Answer Community Answer Don't worry. It will come out on its own, undigested, within a few days. Even if the seed was somehow crushed before consumption, just a single seed shouldn't do any harm. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 87
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Video

Tips

  • After buying rambutan, you can keep it for three to five days in the refrigerator and covered with plastic wrap to reduce moisture loss (or leave them out if you live in a humid environment).[9] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If serving to guests, leave half the skin on after cutting as a decorative holder. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings

  • Watch out for fruit maggots, indicated by brownish, sandy stuff where the fruit is attached to the stem. Thanks Helpful 56 Not Helpful 17
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.rambutan.com/
  2. ↑ https://www.rambutan.com/
  3. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-rambutan
  4. ↑ https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/rambutan.html
  5. ↑ https://fruitinformation.com/rambutan/are-rambutan-seeds-edible/
  6. ↑ https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2011/06/24/Seed-waste-may-be-source-of-new-fats-Study/
  7. ↑ https://deliciouspath.com/rambutan-jam/
  8. ↑ Pijpers, Dick, Jac. G. Constant, and Kees Jansen. The Complete Book of Fruit. NY: Gallery Books, 1986.
  9. ↑ https://www.savorysuitcase.com/how-to-store-rambutan/

About This Article

Marrow Private Chefs Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 1,190,098 times. 38 votes - 90% Co-authors: 35 Updated: November 10, 2025 Views: 1,190,098 Categories: Featured Articles | Eating Techniques Article SummaryX

The easiest way to eat a rambutan is to cut the outer skin with a sharp knife. Squeeze the outer skin gently until the milky white edible center pops out. Then, cut into the flesh and remove the seed inside. Scroll down for information on what to do with your leftover rambutans! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Renee Baca

    Renee Baca

    Sep 30, 2017

    "I knew what rambutan are, I have a friend from Indonesia, Dewita. I found rambutan in our local Walmart. We live in..." more
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Yes No Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. icon $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything. Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Marrow Private Chefs Reviewed by: Marrow Private Chefs Culinary Experts Co-authors: 35 Updated: November 10, 2025 Views: 1,190,098 90% of readers found this article helpful. 38 votes - 90% Click a star to add your vote Renee Baca

Renee Baca

Sep 30, 2017

"I knew what rambutan are, I have a friend from Indonesia, Dewita. I found rambutan in our local Walmart. We live in..." more Carol Morris

Carol Morris

Jun 29, 2018

"I had never heard of rambutan and actually was told that I was being given a lychee. I Googled how to eat a lychee,..." more Marcie Wood

Marcie Wood

Nov 20, 2022

"I am looking for unusual food to share with my culinary class, found these in grocery store and brought some home,..." more Ann Walton

Ann Walton

Aug 24, 2017

"Before I read this article, I did not know the seeds were poisonous. I never ate them, but I did eat the outside..." more Kattie McDonald

Kattie McDonald

Sep 17, 2016

"This fruit is delicious. I cut it in half, which made it easier to eat. Still trying to find my way around the seed..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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