Fruit-Lover’s Paradise
As a celiac, finding something safe to eat in Indonesia is challenging. Gluten awaits you on every corner—hidden in sauces, snacks, and even unexpected places. Besides, in supermarkets, locating gluten-free products is difficult, and on top of that, the labeling isn’t always clear. Thankfully, some restaurants cater to celiacs, but they can be few and far between.
On the upside, the fruits (buah-buahan) here are incredible! You can find them everywhere—on the streets, in malls, and in supermarkets. These vibrant, flavorful fruits are a huge part of my daily diet, and I want to share some of my absolute favorites.
Mangosteen - The Honest Fruit
First and foremost comes manggis, or better known as mangistan. This is a truly fascinating fruit. It’s also called the honest fruit because the bottom of the fruit displays the number of segments inside. Before you try the fruit, you can count the markings on the bottom to see how many parts there are before you open it. Its thick, deep purple rind hides juicy, white flesh that is both sweet and slightly tangy. If you ever get the chance to try mangistan, don’t hesitate—the flavor is absolutely divine and looks beautiful as well!
My personal favorite —Mangistan—!
The bottom of the honest fruit, with its flower-like segments or better known as ‘petals’.
Duku – Soft and Mysterious
Duku is another one of my local favorites, and right now, it’s just the season for Duku. This small, round fruit has a thin, light brown skin that peels easily, revealing translucent, juicy flesh inside. When you peel them, the sweetness of the juice stays on your fingertips, even after washing it with soap —several times— so keep that in mind. And what about the taste? Well, it’s something you have to experience for yourself. To me the texture of the fruit is very soft, it is slightly sweet with a small hint of a pomelo-like flavor, it’s one of those fruits that keep me coming back for more. Try to avoid the seeds, because if you bite into one of them, the taste isn’t good and it will be very bitter.
Sitting on my balcony in Yogya while eating —Duku—.
Dragon Fruit – A Burst of Color
Dragon fruit, also known as pitahaya or naga fruit, is strikingly beautiful on the outside and very surprising on the inside. It comes in two varieties: one with white flesh and another with a fuchsia-pink interior (here, they call it buah naga merah (red) or buah naga putih (white)). I personally prefer the pink variant mainly because of the color, but supposedly, the pink version is somewhat sweeter and juicier. It can also cause discoloring of the urine, turning it a red-pinkish color. I think that’s good to know as well. Not only is dragon fruit refreshing, it’s also packed with antioxidants, making it a healthy and hydrating choice in Indonesia’s tropical heat.
Dragon (naga) fruit or better known as —Pitahaya—.
Kedondong – My Life Elixir
My all-time favorite juice to drink is kedondong juice. This green, tangy fruit is nothing short of a life elixir to me. The first time I tried kedondong juice was back in 2012, and I instantly felt like I had been missing something my entire life. The moment I took a sip, my body seemed to recognize it as something it urgently needed. While many people prefer their kedondong juice with sugar, I enjoy it in its pure, natural form. However, I seem to be —one out of many— who enjoy this flavor in particular without sugar. On top of that, this amazing drink isn’t easy to find—I’ve only been able to locate it in Jakarta. Though I recently found it in the mall, when I bought it, it turned out to be unripe. I must say, I cannot recommend it that way—the flavor was extremely sour!
Indonesia offers an incredible variety of fresh, flavorful fruits that are not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. From the honest mangistan to the refreshing kedondong juice, these fruits are an essential part of my daily routine. Whether you have dietary restrictions -as in celiac disease- or simply love exploring new flavors, Indonesia’s fruit scene is a paradise waiting to be explored.
"Bought my first sugar apple—excited to try it!