Canarium odontophyllum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canarium odontophyllum |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Canarium
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| Species: |
odontophyllum
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Canarium odontophyllum is a special fruit tree from the Canarium family. It grows naturally on the island of Borneo. People in Sarawak call its fruit dabai, while those in Sabah and Brunei know it as kembayau. The dabai fruit is a highly valued seasonal treat in Sarawak. It's so popular that there's even a special festival for it called Pesta Dabai, held every year since 2018 in Song, Sarawak.
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About the Dabai Tree and Fruit
This amazing tree can grow very tall. It often reaches heights of 40 to 50 meters, which is like a 10-story building! The dabai fruit has a shiny black skin. Inside, its flesh is bright yellow and surrounds a long seed.
What About the Seeds?
The dabai tree is related to the Pili nut (Canarium ovatum). Just like Pili nuts, the seeds of the dabai fruit are also edible. They taste a bit like almonds or pistachios.
Growing Dabai Trees
Dabai trees are what we call dioecious. This means that individual trees are either male or female. For a tree to produce fruit, you need both male and female trees nearby.
How Farmers Grow New Trees
Farmers can successfully grow new dabai trees using special methods. These methods are called budding or grafting. Budding and grafting are ways to join parts of two plants together. This helps grow new trees that are exactly like the parent tree.
Mr. Harry Munjan was a very important person in dabai cultivation. He was a former officer with the Agriculture Department. In the 2000s, he was the first to successfully grow dabai trees using budding. He even introduced new types of dabai, called ‘Laja’ and ‘Lulong’. He grew these new types on his own farm in Sri Aman, Sarawak.
How People Use Dabai Fruit
The Canarium odontophyllum fruit is often called the "Sarawak olive." It's a very versatile fruit, meaning it can be used in many ways!
Dabai in the Kitchen
You can eat dabai fruit raw, or you can blanch it. Blanching means dipping it quickly in hot water. People often enjoy dabai with a sprinkle of sugar, salt, or a splash of soy sauce.
In Sarawak, dabai is a popular ingredient in many dishes. It's added to sauces and even to fried rice recipes. Beyond eating it whole, the fruit can be mashed into a paste. It can also be dried and ground into a powder. This powder can then be used in different foods and drinks.
Dabai in New Foods
Dabai is even being used in new and exciting ways commercially. You might find dabai added to pizzas, desserts, and juices. It can even be made into mayonnaise!
