Julia was sold on this one before I ever was, one bite at a nursery on Oahu and she came home talking about it.
The Basics
Salak, Salacca zalacca, also called snake fruit, is an extremely thorny, short-stemmed clustering palm in the family Arecaceae, the same family as our queen palm and peach palm.
Origin and Habitat
Native to Java and Sumatra in Indonesia, where it grows in moist, shaded, often swampy understory conditions.
What It Looks Like
A low, clumping, viciously spined palm with almost no visible trunk, producing fruit in tight clusters at the base covered in reddish-brown scales that really do look like snakeskin, hence the name.
Uses and Flavor
The scaly skin peels back to reveal segmented white flesh with a crisp, slightly dry texture and a flavor that swings between sweet, tart, and faintly funky depending on the variety and ripeness.
Growing It Here
Also called snake fruit, an extremely thorny short stemmed palm from Java and Sumatra that likes moist, shaded, swampy spots. Haven’t tried one myself yet, but Julia had one at a nursery on Oahu and became a fan on the spot. Like a lot of palms, it needs both a male and female to actually fruit, so I’m already thinking about where to squeeze in a second one.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Nothing to report yet, still establishing.
Kenta’s Take
Sometimes you plant something on someone else’s enthusiasm instead of your own firsthand taste test. This is one of those, and I trust Julia’s opinion on this one completely, thorns and all.