Asian Fruit Local Names, Translations, and Harvest Seasons
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About This List
This page is a practical reference to the local names of Asian tropical fruits across Southeast Asia. Many well known fruits appear under different names in Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Tagalog, Khmer, Lao, Burmese, and Vietnamese, and the same species may have several regional variants. Each entry lists the scientific name, common English name, local names by country, and the harvest season with the location where the season applies. The list is arranged alphabetically and can be searched by any word or local name for quick comparison.
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Bur - Burma
Cam - Cambodia
Ins - Indonesia
Lao - Laos
Mal - Malaysia
Phi - Philippines
Tha - Thailand
Vie - Vietnam
Cam - Cambodia
Ins - Indonesia
Lao - Laos
Mal - Malaysia
Phi - Philippines
Tha - Thailand
Vie - Vietnam
A
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aegle marmelos | Bael | bhau (Cam); maja, maja batuh (Ins); toum (Lao); bilak, bila, bel (Mal); opesheet, ohshit (Burma); matum, tum, ma pin (Tha); trai mam (Vie) | Dry season | |
| Anacardium occidentale | Cashew | svaay chantii (Cam); jambu monyet (Mal); thiho thayet si (Burma); kasoy, balubad, balogo (Phi); mamuang, himmaphan, yaruang, mamuang letlor (Tha); dao lon hot, cay dieu (Vie) | March-June | Philippines |
| Annona muricata | Guayabano, Soursop | tiep barang (Cam); sirsak, nangka belanda (Ins); khan thalot, khiep thet (Lao); durian belanda (Mal); duyin-awza (Burma); guayabano (Phi); thurian thet, riannam (Tha); mang cau xiem (Vie) | May-Aug; year round in tropics | Philippines |
| Annona squamosa | Sugar apple, Sweetsop, Custard apple | tiep baay, tiep srok (Cam); sirkaja, sarikaja, atis (Ins); khieb (Lao); nona sri kaya, buah nona, sri kaya (Mal); awza (Burma); atis (Phi); noina, makkhiap, lanang (Tha); na, mang cau ta (Vie) | June-Sept | Philippines |
| Artocarpus altillis | Breadfruit | sakee, khnaor samloo (Cam); sukun (seedless), kelur, timbul (seeded) (Ins, Mal); paung-thi (Burma); rimas (seedless), kamansii (seeded) (Phi); sa-ke (seedless), khanun-sampalor (Tha); sake (Vie) | May-Aug; year round near equator | Philippines |
| Artocarpus heterophyllus | Jackfruit | khnaor (Cam); nangka (Ins, Mali); miiz, miiz hnang (Lao); peignai (Burma); langka (Phi); khanon, makmi, banun (Tha); mit (Vie) | Year round (peak Jan-May); also Mar-Aug; Apr-Aug and Sept-Dec | Thailand; Philippines; Malaysia |
| Artocarpus integer | Cempedak | chempedak, campedak (Mal); bankong (wild) (Mal); sonekadat (Burma); champada (Tha); mit to nu (Vie) | June-Aug; Sept-Dec | Malaysia; Java, Indonesia |
| Averrhoa bilimbi | Bilimbi | tralong tong (Cam); belimbing asam, belimbing wuluh, belimbing buluk (Ins, Mal); tayok-zaungya (Burma); kamias, iba (Phi); taling pling (Tha); khe tau (Vie) | Year round | |
| Averrhoa carambola | Carambola, Star Fruit | spo (Cam); fuand (Lao); belimbing manis (Ins, Mal); zaung-ya (Burma); balimbing (Phi); ma fuang (Tha); khe (Vie) | June-Aug; year round | Philippines; Thailand |
B
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baccaurea racemosa | Kapundung | mente, kepundung (Ins, Mal); bencoy (Ins); jinteh merah (Mal) | Aug-Sept | Malaysia |
| Baccaurea ramiflora | Burmese grape | phnkiew (Cam); mafai setambun, tajam molek (Ins); f'ai (Lao); pupor, tampoi, tempui (Mal); kanazo (Bur); mafai, omfai, hamkang (Tha); giau gia dat, giau tien, dzau mien dzu'o'i (Vie) | Aug-Sept | Malaysia |
| Bouea burmanica (macrophylla) | Gandaria | ramania, gandaria (Ins); kundang, rembunia, setar (Mal); ma praang, somprang (Tha) | March-June | Indonesia |
C
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carica papaya | Papaya, pawpaw | ihong, doeum lahong (Cam); papaya, gedang, kates (Ins); houng (Lao); papaya, betek, ketalah (Mal); thimbaw (Bur); papaya, kapaya, lapaya (Phi); malakor, loko, ma kuai thet (Tha); du du (Vie) | Year round | |
| Chrysophyllum cainito | Cainito, Starapple | sawo ijo, sawo hejo, sawo kadu (Ins); sawo duren, pepulut (Mal); hnin-thagya (Bur); caimito (Phi); chicle durian (Sin); sataa appoen (Tha); vu-sue (Vie) | Jan-Apr; July | Philippines; Indonesia |
| Citrus aurantiifolia | Lime, Sour Lime | krooch chmaa muul (Cam); jeruk nipis, jeruk pecel (Ins); naaw (Lao); limau ni-pis, limau asam (Mal); dayap (Phi); som manao, manao (Tha); chanh ta (Vie) | Almost year round | |
| Citrus hystrix | Mauritius Papeda, Kaffir Lime | krauch soeuch (Cam); jeruk perut, limo purut (Ins); khi hout (Lao); limau purut (Mal); shouk-pote (Bur); kabuyau, kulubut, kolobot (Phi); ma kruut (Tha); truc (Vie) | Almost year round | |
| Citrus maxima | Pummelo, Shaddock | krooch thlong (Cam); jeruk besar, jeruk bali (Ins); kiengz saangz, phuk, somz oo (Lao); jambua, limau betawi, limau bali (Mal); shouk-ton-oh, kywegaw (Bur); som-o, ma-o (Tha); buoi (Vie) | Nov-Jan (Philippines); Aug-Nov (Thailand) | Philippines; Thailand |
| Citrus reticulata | Mandarin, Tangerine | krauch kvich (Cam); jeruk ke-prok, jeruk jepun, jeruk maseh (Ins); som hot, som lot, liou (Lao); limau langkat, limau kupas, limau wangkas (Mal); leinmaw (Bur); som khieo waan, som saenthong, ma baang (Tha); cam sanh, cay quit (Vie) | Almost year round | |
| Citrus sinensis | Sweet Orange | krooch poosat (Cam); jeruk manis (Ins); kiengz (Lao); limau manis, chula, choreng (Mal); thung chin-thi (Bur); kahel (Phi); somkliang, somtra (Tha); cam (Vie) | Nov-Feb | Philippines |
| Cocos nucifera | Coconut | kelapa (Ins, Mal); on, makun (Burma); niog (Phi); mapraaw (Tha); dua (Vie) | Year round |
D
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durio zibethinus | Durian | thu-reen (Cam); duren, ambetan, kadu (Ins); thurien (Lao); thurian, rian (Tha); sau rieng (Vie) | June-Aug; July-Oct; May-Aug | Peninsular Malaysia; Philippines; Thailand |
E
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euphoria longana (Dimocarpus longan) | Longan | mien (Cam); lengkeng (Ins, Mal); lam nhai (Lao); kyet mouk (Bur); lamyai pa (Tha); nhan (Vie). ssp. longan var. obtusus: lamyai khruer, lamyai tao (Tha). ssp. malesianus var. malesianus: mata kucing (Peninsular Mal and Sabah); isau, sau, kakus (Sarawak); buku, ihau, meduru (Ins) | Aug-Sept | Thailand |
G
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garcinia mangostana | Mangosteen | manggis (Ins, Mal); mankhud (Lao); mingut (Bur); mang-gustan (Phi); mangkhut (Tha); cay mang cut (Vie) | Aug-Oct until Nov |
L
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lansium domesticum | Langsat | langsat, duku, kokosan (Ins, Mal); langsat, duku (Bur); lansones, buahan (Phi); langsat, duku, longkong (Tha); bon-bon (Vie) | July-Oct; June-Feb | Thailand and Philippines; Malaysia |
| Litchi chinensis | Lychee, Lichee | kuleen (Cam); litsi, kleng-keng, kalemgkeng (Ins); ngeew (Lao); laici, keleng-kang (Mal); kyet-mouk, lin chi, lam yai (Bur); linchee, litchi, see raaman (Tha); vai, cay vai, tu hu (Vie) | April-Jun; Oct-Feb | Thailand; Indonesia |
M
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macadamia integrifolia | Macadamia nut | Macadamia nut (En) | Oct-Dec | In original habitat in Australia |
| Mangifera altissima | medang kok, membacang (Ins); paho, pahutan, pangamangaen (Phi) | Year round | ||
| Mangifera foetida | Horse mango | svaay saa (Cam); bachang, limus, asem hambawang (Ins); bachang, machang, pahu (Mal); thayet-poh, lamut (Bur); xoai hoi (Vie) | Aug-Jan | Malaysia and Indonesia |
| Mangifera indica | Mango | svaay (Cam); mangga, mempelam, ampelam (Ins, Mal); mwangx (Lao); tharyetthi (Bur); mangga, paho, mango (Phi); xoai (Vie) | April-June; Jan-May | Philippines; Thailand |
| Manilkara kaukii | Wongi | sawo kecik, kayu sawo, sabo (Ins); sawah, sawai, sawau (Mal); lamut-thai, lamut-sida (Tha); gang-neo (Vie) | Aug-Sept | Bali, Indonesia |
| Manilkara (Achras) zapota | Sapodilla, Naseberry, Nispero, Sapote | lomut (Cam); sawo manila, ciku, sawo londo (Ins); lamud (Lao); ciku (Mal); choko (Phi); lamut, lamut-farang (Tha); xaboche, hong xiem, tam luc (Vie) | April-Sept; Sept-Dec | Philippines; Thailand |
N
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nephelium lappaceum | Rambutan | saaw maaw, ser mon (Cam); rambutan (Ins, Mal, Phi); usan (Phi); ngoh, phruan (Tha); chom chom, vai thieu (Vie) | July-Sept; May-Sept | Philippines; Thailand |
P
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persea americana | Avocado, Alligator Pear | avokaa (Cam); adpukat, avokad (Ins); avokado, apukado (Mal); htaw bat (Bur); awokado (Tha); bo, le dau (Vie) | May-Aug | Philippines |
| Phyllanthus acidus | Otaheite Gooseberry | ceremoi, cereme (Ins); cherma (Mal); thinbo-zihpyoo (Bur); iba, bang-kiling, karmay (Phi); mayom (Tha); chum ruot (Vie) | Sept-Oct | Bali, Indonesia |
| Psidium guajava | Guava | jambu batu, biyabas (Bru); trapaek sruk (Cam); jambu biji, jambu klotok (Ins); sida (Lao); jambu biji, jambu kampuchia, jambu berase (Mal); guava, bayabas (Phi); malakapen (Bur); ma kuai, ma-man, farang (Tha); oi (Vie) | July-Sept | Philippines (Almost year round with proper management); Thailand |
| Punica granatum | Pomegranate | totum (Cam); delima (Ins, Mal); phiilaa (Lao); salebin, talebin, thale (Bur); granada (Phi); thapthim (C. Tha); phila (N.E. Tha); bakoh (N. Tha); luu, thap luu (Vie) | Aug-Oct | Several annual bearings in the tropics |
S
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandoricum koetjape | Santol, Kechapi | kom piing riech (Cam); kecapi, ketuat, sentul (Ins, Mal); toongz (Lao); thitto (Bur); kra thon, sa thon (Tha); sau (Vie) | June-Aug | Philippines |
| Spondias cytherea | Ambarella, Otaheite Apple | great hog plum (En); mokak (Cam); kedondong manis (Ins); kook hvaan (Lao); kedondong (Mal); gway (Bur); hevi (Phi); makok-farang (Tha); coc (Vie) | Jan-Apr | Java |
| Syzygium aqueum | Water Apple, Bell Fruit | jambu air, jambu air mawar (Ins, Mal); tambis (Phi); machomphu-pa (Tha) | Almost year round | No regular growth cycle |
| Syzygium samarangense | Wax Jambu, Java Apple | jambu semarang, jambu klampok (Ins); jambu air mawar (Mal); makopa (Phi); chomphu-kaemmaem, chomphu-khieo, chomphu-nak (Tha); man, roi (Vie) | May-July | Philippines |
| Syzygium cumini | Jambolan | pring bai (Cam); jamblang, duwet (Ins); va (Lao); jambulana, jambulan (Mal); thabyang-hpyoo (Bur); duhat, lomboi (Phi); wa, hakhiphae (Tha); voi rung, tram moc (Vie) | April-June | Philippines |
| Syzygium jambos | Roseapple | cham'puu (Cam); jambu air mawar, jambu mawar, jambu kraton (Ins); chieng, kieng (Lao); jambu kelampok, jambu mawar (Mal); thabyu-thabye (Bur); chomphu-namdokmai, manomhom, yamu-panawa (Tha); lu, bo dao, roi (Vie) | June-Sept | Very dependent on location |
| Syzygium malaccense | Malay apple | jambu bol (Ins, Mal); jambu merah (Mal); thabyo-thabyang (Bur); yanba, tersana, makopang-kalabaw (Phi); chomphu mamieo, chomphu saraek, chomphu daeng (Tha); cay dao, cay roi, dieu-do (Vie) | Almost year round | No regular growth cycle |
T
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarindus indica | Tamarind | Indian Tamarind (En); am'pul, ampil, khoua me (Cam); asam, asam jawa, tambaring (Ins); khaam, mak kham (Lao); asam jawa (Mal); magyee, majee-pen (Bur); sampalok, kalamagi, salomagi (Phi); makham, bakham somkham (Tha); me, trai me (Vie) | July-Feb | First in the Philippines, later in Thailand |
Z
| Scientific name | Common name (English) | Local names | Harvest season | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ziziphus jujuba (mauritiana) | Indian jujube | putrea (Cam); widara, dara, bidara (Ins); than (Lao); bidara, jujub, epal siam (Mal); zee-pen, zizidaw (Bur); manzanitas (Phi); phutsaa, ma tan (Tha); tao, tao nhuc (Vie) | Dry season |
Smokey: These labels are confusing. I am trying to match these Thai names using the app.
Sunshine: Not confusing to me. My translation app says delicious.
Smokey: That is not a translation. That is your fat belly snacking app.
Sunshine: Not confusing to me. My translation app says delicious.
Smokey: That is not a translation. That is your fat belly snacking app.
FAQ: Asian Fruit Local Names
Why do Asian fruits have multiple local names?
Because many fruits grow across different cultures and languages. Traders, farmers, and regions develop their own names based on taste, appearance, or folklore.
Is it normal for one fruit to have 5 or more names?
Yes. In Asia a single species may have names in Thai, Malay, Filipino, Chinese, Hindi, Tamil, and regional dialects. This is common and expected.
How do I match a local name to a botanical name?
Use side-by-side tables like the one on this page. Botanical names do not change by region and provide the most reliable reference.
Why do different countries use the same name for different fruits?
Some names are borrowed or sound similar across languages, which causes mix-ups. Always verify with a photo and a botanical name.
Are local names good enough for ordering plants?
No. Use the botanical name or a verified catalog link. Local names can refer to completely different species depending on location.
Why do markets in Asia label fruit with only local names?
Local names are practical for everyday trade, but they are not standardized. This page helps translate them into botanical terms.
How does Top Tropicals verify each fruit name?
Names are checked against botanical literature, regional databases, grower sources, and our own cultivation experience.
Do local fruit names change over time?
Yes. When fruits move to new markets or become popular online, new nicknames appear. Some older names fall out of use.
Is a common name the same as a local name?
Not always. A common name is widely used across a language. A local name is tied to a specific region or dialect.
Can one local name refer to multiple species?
Yes. This is one of the biggest sources of confusion. It is why growers rely on botanical identification instead.
What if a fruit has no known English name?
Then the botanical name becomes the primary reference. Many rare Asian fruits fall into this category.
How do I use this page to avoid mix-ups?
Compare the local name, botanical name, and photo. Use the botanical name when buying, planting, or researching.
Where can I buy Asian fruit plants?
You can buy Asian fruit plants directly from Top Tropicals. We grow and ship a large collection of verified species, provide accurate botanical names, and offer live plants, seeds, and expert care guidance. Visit Top Tropicals Online Store