Santol Tree (Pokok Sentul)

 Santol /Sentul / Sandoricum koetjape

The Sentul tree which is native to Southeast Asia belongs to the mahogany family along with duku (langsat).  It can grow up to 30 m high with a diameter up to 90 cm.  

The fruit  is said to be high in carotene, flavonoids and vitamin C.  As with most fruit trees, there are a variety of cultivars.  Some are sweetish, others are sour.  Some are thin-skinned; others have an edible fleshy rind.  

An over-ripe fruit

The tree grows well even if the rainfall is irregular.  Accordingly, it has been introduced to other tropical regions including parts of Australia, India, Moluccas, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.   As might be expected for a tree in the mahogany family, it is also valued for woodworking and making household furniture.  When polished the wood has a lovely lustre.

The tree bears fruit twice a year (February and July) making it popular in Malaysia in the past.  Whilst it is almost forgotten here today, it can still be found in other ASEAN countries.  The fruit can be eaten fresh, cooked or made into sweet marmalades and/or chutneys and pickles.  The skin of some varieties is also edible, generally being cooked in coconut milk and used into side dishes.  For example, in Laos the fruit is added to green papaya salad and in Sumatra it can be used in sour fish recipes.

I ate some of the fruit in Laos and would definitely try the Laotian variety again.  A note of caution. If you do try some, be careful not to accidentally swallow the seeds.  There have been cases of intestinal perforation, which can be fatal.

As an indication of its previous status, this tree has given its name to the Sentul suburb of Kuala Lumpur, the town Satun in southern Thailand and the Setiu district of Terengganu.