Wax Jambu

Wax jambu, also called wax apple or java apple, is a tropical fruit with a distinctive bell or pear shape and waxy, glossy skin that ranges from pale green to deep pink or red. The flesh is crisp and juicy with a very mild, slightly sweet flavour and a refreshing, almost watery crunch — somewhat like a very mild, airy apple.

It’s typically eaten raw as a fresh fruit, often chilled for maximum refreshment. In Southeast Asian countries where it’s widely grown, wax jambu is eaten as a snack, added to rojak-style fruit salads with chilli and shrimp paste, or used as a garnish. The fruit doesn’t have a strong flavour of its own, so it benefits from dips, dressings, or a pinch of salt.

Wax jambu is occasionally available at Asian grocers and tropical fruit specialists in Australia, particularly in northern Queensland where some varieties are grown locally.