
Thailand is known for its culture and paradise beaches, but it's also a paradise for fruit lovers. The country has a tropical climate with fertile land which makes great conditions for an abundance of exotic fruits that can be enjoyed all year round. From the world-famous durian to the succulent mango, a fruit tour in Thailand will help you fall in love with the colors, aromas, and stories behind every bite of fruit in this tropical paradise.
The best time to embark on a fruit tour in Thailand is during the peak harvest seasons, which vary depending on the fruit. Generally, the months from April to July offer an abundance of tropical delights. However, many orchards remain open throughout the year, ensuring a fruitful experience regardless of the season.
Explore Thai fruit during the right season
Suphattra Land is one of Thailand's most famous fruit orchards, perfect for families and groups of friends. Visitors can ride electric carts around the vast orchard and enjoy a fresh fruit buffet featuring durian, mangosteen, rambutan, mango, pineapple, and more. It's only about a 2-hour drive from Bangkok.
Suphattra Land
Suan Lamai impresses visitors with its European-style garden design - spacious, scenic, and highly photogenic. You can pick fruit right from the trees and enjoy it on the spot, while also taking beautiful photos among vibrant flower gardens and green meadows. The peak season is usually from April to July.
Ratchaburi is known for its traditional fruit orchards. Here, you’ll have the chance to interact directly with local farmers, taste delicious organic fruits, and even join cooking activities that feature fruit-based dishes with a fun and authentic experience.
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Doi Kham is a sustainable agricultural project under the patronage of the Thai Royal Family. Located in the mountainous region of Chiang Mai, it’s famous for temperate-climate fruits such as strawberries, kiwis, and Thai apples. Besides enjoying fresh fruit at the orchard, visitors can also buy processed products like jams, juices, and fruit teas to take home as gifts.
Doi Kham Agricultural Project
Damnoen Saduak is one of Thailand’s most vibrant and iconic floating markets, known for its colorful boats packed with fresh tropical fruits. You can buy directly from the vendors on the boats and enjoy classic Thai fruit desserts like mango sticky rice, young coconut, and refreshing smoothies. It's a must-visit spot for anyone wanting to soak in the lively river culture of Thailand.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Often called the “queen of fruits,” in Thailand, the Mangosteen is one of the most popular Thai fruits – and for a good reason – it’s delicious. Beneath its tough, leathery purple shell is a delicious white flesh with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. It kind of looks like a fruit version of garlic, but tastes like if a lychee and a peach had a baby.
Mangosteen - The Queen of Thai Fruits
Its round shape hides 5-8 segments of fruit, with the larger ones housing a hard seed that you should remove. It’s tart and sweet, perfectly balanced. To eat, you should lightly squeeze the mangosteen eaters until it sort of pops open on its own.
Mangosteen Season in Thailand: March to September
Durian is not just a smelly Thai fruit; it’s a cultural phenomenon. It’s earned the moniker “King of Fruits” due to its size and unique flavor, but described as rotten onions and gym socks.
But if you can get past the smell, you'll be rewarded with a rich, creamy fruit that tastes like custard with subtle hints of almond. This unique taste experience has led to a million different durian-flavored products dominating Thai markets, from ice cream all the way to specialized durian cakes.
Durian is also known as the King of Fruits in Thailand
However, be advised – its potent smell has led to it being banned in most public spaces, so you’ll often see signs prohibiting durian in hotels and on airplanes. Also, it’s considered the most expensive of all Thai fruits, with a small portion often costing several hundred baht.
Durian season in Thailand: April to August
Next on our list of Thai fruits to savor is the Langsat, also known as Longkong or Lanzones in other parts of the world. Longkong is popular in Thailand and one of the most popular fruits in all of Southeast Asia!
Langsat
The Langsat has a thin, pale brown skin that encases a translucent, juicy flesh. The fruits are often clustered together like grapes on a vine. It kind of tastes like a lychee. Larger segments typically contain a seed, but be cautious not to bite into it as it can be quite bitter.
Langsat season in Thailand: July and September.
The Dragon Fruit is one of the most photogenic Thai fruits, but you’re always surprised that the flavor doesn’t match the appearance. Originating from cactus plants, this fruit is also found in locales such as Central America, India, and the Caribbean.
Dragon Fruit
The Dragon Fruit is easily recognizable with its unique red-purple skin and green “horns.” There are many colors of dragon fruits: if the “horns” are more yellowish in color, you’ll find a white dragon fruit within. If the “horns” are more green, you’ll find the purple dragon fruit inside. If you’re looking for a sweeter variety, go for the purple dragonfruit.
Dragon Fruit Season in Thailand: April and October
The guava, known locally as “Farang”, is a common Thai fruit and is cherished for its crisp texture and subtly sweet flavor. Its exterior is usually a light green color, while the inside is either white, pink or even a deep red, depending on the variety.
Guava
Guava is crunchy, similar to a firm apple but with a slightly thicker skin, and a little sour. Locals love dipping guava in a mixture of salt, sugar, and chili for a thrilling balance of sweet, sour, and spicy.
Guava Season in Thailand: All year round.
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Pomelos are juicy, offering an enjoyable balance of sweet and sour flavors. It is a beloved treat among locals, who often enjoy it with a mixture of salt, sugar, and chili. Additionally, it’s a common ingredient in many Thai salads.
Pomelo
This Thai fruit is wrapped in a very thick rind that can be a bit of a challenge to peel. If you’re seeking convenience, consider buying them pre-peeled at large fruit markets, the price can be cheaper local shop.
Pomelo Season in Thailand: August to November.
Among Thailand’s many exotic fruits, tamarind is truly unique - so much so that first-timers might not even recognize it as a fruit with tough, pod-like shell resembles a dried bean.
Crack it open, and you’ll find a sticky, dark pulp with a texture much like dates. When freshly picked, tamarind has a tangy, mouth-puckering sourness, but as it ripens and dries slightly, its flavor turns delightfully sweet.
Tamarind
In Thai cuisine, Tamarind is often used in sauces, popular dishes, and even candies. It is the secret ingredient that gives Pad Thai its unique flavor!
Pomelo Season in Thailand: All year round.
Lychee, like longan but sourer, is another extraordinary fruit you must try when visiting Thailand. Its rough red exterior, slightly larger than a rambutan or longan, can easily be pushed open to reveal a super-sweet interior.
Lychee
You can also find canned lychees in sweet syrup, which are often used in various Thai desserts. And in one of my favorite cocktails, the lychee martini.
Pomelo Season in Thailand: April to June
At first glance, the rambutan might look like something out of a fantasy story, like a mythical creature’s egg. Its vibrant red-yellow skin, covered in soft green spines, giving it an strange, and uniquely appealing look.
Rambutan
Peel back the unusual skin and you’ll find a translucent white flesh, firm and juicy, much like lychee or longan. While it’s a bit less sweet than lychee or longan, rambutan has a refreshingly mild flavor all its own, refreshing and subtle sweetness.
Pomelo Season in Thailand: May to September
Thailand’s tropical climate is very convenient because it doesn't really matter when you visit, as you will always have some great fresh and exotic fruit options. Whether you’re indulging in the creamy richness of durian or the refreshing sweetness of mangosteen, exploring Thai fruit seasons is a culinary adventure that should not be missed. Book a guided fruit and food tour in Thailand to taste the freshest tropical fruits right from the orchards. Whether you're a first-timer or a returning foodie, it's a flavorful journey you won't forget.