Duku and Langsat
doukou/lansiam (French), Duku (German), lanza (Spanish), du-ku/lang-sat (Thai), duku/langsat (Malay/Indonesian), lanzone(s) (Philippines)
(Lansium domesticum var. domesticum and L. domesticum var. pubescens — Family Meliaceae)
Duku and Langsat are two Southeast Asian fruits, both classified as Lansium domesticum, even though one can readily be distinguished from the other and are recognized as separate botanical varieties.
Duku is more widely cultivated; but the Langsat, or wild langsat, is cultivated on a lesser scale. Cultivation takes place mainly in Malaysia, Indonesia (especially Java), and Thailand. The trees are native to West Malaysia, but are now found all over the region.
It takes about fifteen years for them to reach maturity; but the wait is worthwhile as they bear clusters of fruit twice a year thereafter.
Each variety has its own characteristics. Langsat has about twenty fruits in a cluster, while duku has ten.
Duku fruits are round, about two inches in diameter, with thicker skins. Langsat fruits are oval and between one and two inches in diameter, with thin, pale, fawn-coloured skin.
The flesh of both is usually white, but some cultivated varieties of duku are pink.
Each fruit is composed of five segments of juicy and refreshing flesh that has a tangy sour to sweet taste. Some forms are seedless, while others may contain bitter inedible seeds. The fruits are excellent thirst quenchers and can be eaten raw or preserved.
