Pranburi: Pranburi farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province have opened their orchards to allow people to taste 'Crystal Longan with Durian Scent', a variety imported from Indonesia. It is currently producing fruit and is available for sale at a price of 500-600 baht per kilogram. If you want to eat it, you have to order in advance.
According to Thai News Agency, this unique fruit is being cultivated at the 789 Thong Thai Herbs Community Enterprise Garden, located in Ban Nong Hoi, Village 4, Wang Pong Subdistrict, Pran Buri District. Ms. Saengduean Songrob, the owner of the garden, explained that while her garden grows over 100 types of herbs, her interest in Crystal Longan stemmed from its unique taste. The fruit, which has a hard shell, resembles rambutan, lychee, and longan on the inside, and carries a slight durian scent. Initially, she ordered the fruit to taste and subsequently decided to cultivate it in Pran Buri District to see if it could thrive there as it does in the South, where it is popular, particularly among Muslims.
Ms. Saengduean has been growing Crystal Longan for about six years, and it bears fruit in approximately two and a half years. Currently, she has planted around 60 trees, interspersed with other plants. The advantage of this variety is its relatively short time to bear fruit. However, the fruit has natural enemies, such as squirrels, and worms during the flowering period, which can cause damage. The garden maintains a natural approach, avoiding the use of chemicals. The fruit is gradually ripening, and the garden is experiencing high demand, with orders exceeding the available supply as the Crystal Longans do not ripen simultaneously.
Visitors to the garden have expressed delight in seeing the Crystal Longan Garden, which is producing abundantly. The fruit is noted for its thick skin and soft flesh, resembling a combination of lychee, longan, and rambutan with a hint of durian. It is seen as a sweet and delicious alternative fruit worth cultivating alongside other economic fruits.
In addition to selling the fruit, the garden also offers seedlings for those interested in growing Crystal Longan. Interested individuals can contact Ms. Saengduean Songrob through Facebook at 789 Thong Thai Herbs or Kiki Luk Phra Phirun, or via phone at 084-6359265.