Mentawa: The Sultan’s Fruit That Delights the Senses
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The appearance of mentawa, the sultan’s fruit. Photo credit: Ernawati.
BORNEOTRAVEL - PONTIANAK: The scenic route through West Kalimantan transforms into a vibrant tapestry during the mentawa harvest season.
Roadside stalls brim with fresh, exotic fruits, and the air buzzes with eager visitors.
From Sungai Ambawang to Sintang, the journey becomes a feast for the senses. It offers not only the sweet and nutty delights of mentawa but also a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural traditions.
This seasonal celebration turns a simple road trip into an immersive agro-tourism experience, where nature, flavor, and community come together in perfect harmony.
West Kalimantan is in the heart of the mentawa fruit
West Kalimantan is in the heart of the mentawa fruit harvest season, a time when this exotic delight—often referred to as the “sultan’s fruit”—takes center stage.
Stretching from Sungai Ambawang to Sintang, roadside stalls brim with baskets of mentawa, offered in two forms: fresh and raw, with a flavor reminiscent of peanuts or hazelnuts, or ripe and ruby red, boasting a silky texture and honey-like sweetness.
Read Mentawa: The Uniqueness and Delight of an Unmatched Tropical Fruit
For the locals, mentawa is more than just a harvest—it’s a symbol of connection to their lush tropical forests. Its tall trees, native to the region, require skill and effort to climb and harvest.
“You have to climb high to get the best fruits, and the taller the tree, the greater the pride,” shared Gandung, a farmer from Sosok. To him, mentawa is not only a testament to the community’s hard work but also a divine gift from nature.
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Peeled mentawa fruit. Photo credit: Tanto Yakobus.
The harvest season transforms the region into a hive of activity. Vendors line the roads, selling freshly picked mentawa at affordable prices, while visitors savor the unique experience of tasting this rare fruit straight from its source. It’s no wonder the area has become a rising destination for agro-tourism, drawing fruit enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
From Sultan’s banquets to everyday delight
The nickname “sultan’s fruit” isn’t just poetic; it’s a nod to the luxurious experience that mentawa offers. For first-time tasters, the raw fruit surprises with its chewy texture and nutty taste, a rare find among tropical fruits. “Most people are shocked when they realize how savory it is—like biting into fresh peanuts,” explained Lela, a vendor in Sekadau.But the real magic lies in the ripe mentawa. Its vibrant red hue and smooth, glossy skin make it impossible to resist. A single bite reveals a tender flesh bursting with mellow sweetness and a subtle, fragrant aroma.
“Back in the day, this was a delicacy reserved for nobility, which is why we call it the sultan’s fruit,” Lela added with a warm smile.
Beyond its exceptional flavor, mentawa also plays a vital role in the local economy. The harvest season fosters a sense of community, bringing together farmers, traders, and travelers. The usually quiet roads turn lively with activity, not just from those buying the fruit but also from the vibrant culture and natural beauty it represents.
Mentawa is more than just a fruit—it’s a cultural emblem, a bridge between tradition and nature, and a testament to the richness of life in West Kalimantan. So, if you find yourself traveling these roads during harvest season, take a moment to stop, savor a taste, and immerse yourself in the wonder of this royal fruit, straight from its native land.
-- Rangkaya Bada
Borneo Travel
BORNEO TRAVEL is a blog specifically dedicated to domestic and foreign tourists who want to have a vacation, or have an adventure to enjoy the sensation of ecotourism, even those who intend to do research on the island of Borneo which is the third largest island in the world after Greenland and Papua. This island is not only exotic with various world attractions, but also rich in culture and biodiversity that will make anyone fall in love.
