2 Top Santol varieties

[Mike T]

These 2 varieties of santol are considered the best locally and are called Manila and Bangkok.The both have smaller seeds,thinner rind, more useable flesh and a better taste than most of the common ones around.They are reputedly both self fertile.

[Ethan]

It'll be interesting to hear your comments on these after you try them as far as flavor, texture, ease of eating.

Enjoy

[TropicalFruitHunters]

I like the flavor of santol but it's just too tiring to eat!  That is one fruit that does not give up its flesh willingly.

[Felipe]

I like santol a lot. The taste reminds me of loquat 

[davidgarcia899]

Those are pretty looking Santols, I need to get some seeds to a good looking Santol.

[Recher]

Especially interesting to see those fruits. I had not had to think of or question the following until now. Whatnot I but what I had gathered 30 or so years ago was that Manila and Bangkok are synonyms. That Bangkok got imported into Philippines where it got called Manila.

PErsonally I like the tree more than the fruit. Where the fruit is abundant it is not regarded as premier tucker. In Kota Bharu and I suspect othe rplaces, the predominant use is pickled

[Mike T]

Recher the two types above currently called Manila and Bangkok are quite different from each other.It could be that stall holders at rusty's just pin a name of known good types onto what they have.They also may be tryinmg to appeal to their thai and phillipine customers.Better types have a fair thickness of edible flesh just under the rind as well as the softer flesh that clings to the seeds.These 2 are about 550g each but occasional fruit are much larger.

[Jackfruitwhisperer69]

Hi Mike,
Them santols must be nice to gnaw on...Mr. Digby, says they are a frustrating fruit to eat, as the flesh clings tenaciously to the seed...this sounds like fun The tree also gets freak'n huge

Santol - Cape Trib Exotic Fruit Farm

Thanks for sharing

[fruitlovers]

I call santol the lollipop fruit, as you have to suck on them for so long. A freestone santol would be a good fruit. As they are i consider them a kiddie fruit. I like the name kiddie fruit betten than minor fruit, as kids often have good taste and a lot more patience with eating them.  Minor sound so demeaning. 
I'm guessing those fruits from Rusty's come from seedling trees? If so there could be lots of variation, and could explain why one cultivar replanted from seed has different shapes.
Bangkok santols can be found in Thailand that are really huge, about the size of a grapefruit.
Does anyone have access to the red santol?

[Mike T]

2 to 3lbs seems to be the biggest that I ever see in NQ for santol and this pair at a bit over a pound each are rather modest in size.They are nearly always seedlings and I suppose people would only plant seeds from better fruit.
I have seen fruit from trees labelled as reds being just plain yellow and have not seen red fruit before.It is the actual color of the fruit the red refers to?

[fruitlovers]

2 to 3lbs seems to be the biggest that I ever see in NQ for santol and this pair at a bit over a pound each are rather modest in size.They are nearly always seedlings and I suppose people would only plant seeds from better fruit.
I have seen fruit from trees labelled as reds being just plain yellow and have not seen red fruit before.It is the actual color of the fruit the red refers to?

Yes, the exterior of the fruit is red. If those fruits are from seedlings then they aren't Bangkok or Manila. Here also most santol trees are from seedlings. In Thailand they have grafted trees and select for giant good tasting fruits.

[Mike T]

The 2 varieties have an abundance of flesh that does hang on close to the seed.Both have very nice edible almost all the way to the skin but have quite different flavors.The more flattened one is also a little sweeter with any lemon taste.These are the 2 best types I have tried and way better than santols I have tried in Thailand.

[Jackfruitwhisperer69]

Hi MIke,
The fly totally agrees with you, on the flavour A Phillipino lady commented on Mr. Digby's vid and said that you can also eat the orange flesh, when the white flesh and seeds are removed

[BMc]

Sometimes it's great being stuck in traffic. Today I noticed a nice Bangkok red santos tree in full fruit while lined up outside a bunnings. Will go back and pick a few in the next week. It's growing well as a street tree. Such a pretty tree at this time of year.

[Mike T]

I know I showed the big classic santols manila and Bangkok but I'm told by santol enthusiasts there are better eating types.I was given these small rough skinned ugly looking fruit that are pretty good to eat.The flesh comes away from the seeds more easily,they are sweeter and the inside rind is more soft and edible.I don't know if they are a named type.

[Finca La Isla]

We don't have so many varieties here but the smaller ones seem to have more flavor and the very large ones a soft, easily removed pulp that is a little bland.
Peter

[Mike T]

It is a bit closer to SE Asia here where they come from so it is easier to get different types coming in .They were brought here mostly by people who grew up with santol in the Philippines and Thailand.