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For me, palm fruit (Borassus flabellifer) is not just fruit, but has deep memories. I know about palm fruit from my wife because there is no such fruit in Aceh. In Indonesia, palm fruit or siwalan can be found in Java, Madura, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). When visiting Lasiana Beach, NTT, I enjoyed palm fruit on the beach.

First time enjoying palm fruit in Tanah Abang, Jakarta. That's why when I visited Tanah Abang again, March 11 2024, I had the intention of looking for palm fruit after getting tired of shopping at the legendary Tanah Abang Market.

Palmyra fruit has soft, white flesh like a large palm fruit. The texture of the meat feels soft and cold even if you don't use ice. It tastes sweet, especially when the water in the palm fruit flows cool down your throat. But be careful, when water splashes down your throat, it can cause pressure. That's what I experienced.

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Referring to Indonesian Food Composition Data, 100 grams of palm fruit contains various substances, namely; water, energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorus and iron.

With the content of various substances, palm fruit has many benefits, such as preventing dehydration, maintaining kidney health, maintaining body weight balance, improving digestion, improving the immune system, supporting bone health, supporting skin health, and being a source of energy.

While in Jakarta, I only found palm fruit on Jalan Wahid Hasyim, Tanah Abang area, up to the intersection of Jalan Sabang. There are not too many traveling traders selling palm fruit, only one or two.

The price of palm fruit is IDR 20,000 for five pieces of palm meat. Quite expensive compared to coconuts which are sold on average for IDR 5,000 per fruit. But seeing the benefits for health, there is no harm in buying some palm fruit.[]

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Menikmati Kesegaran Buah Lontar: Kuliner Jalanan

Bagi saya, buah lontar (Borassus flabellifer) bukan sekadar buah-buahan, tetapi memiliki kenangan mendalam. Saya mengenal buah lontar dari istri karena tidak ada buah itu di Aceh. Di Indonesia, buah lontar atau siwalan bisa didapat di Jawa, Madura, Bali, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), dan Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB). Ketika berkunjung ke Pantai Lasiana, NTT, saya menikmati buah lontar di tepi pantai.

Pertama kali menikmati buah lontar di Tanah Abang, Jakarta. Makanya ketika berkunjung kembali ke Tanah Abang, 11 Maret 2024 lalu, saya sudah berniat mencari buah lontar setelah lelah berbelanja di Pasar Tanah Abang yang melegenda.

Buah lontar memiliki daging lunak berwarna putih seperti kolang-kaling yang besar. Tekstur dagingnya terasa empuk dan dingin meski tidak memakai es. Rasanya manis, apalagi ketika air dalam buah lontar mengalir sejuk menyiram tenggorokan. Tapi hati-hati, ketika muncratan air menyiram tenggorakan, bisa membuat terdesak. Itulah yang aku alami.

Merujuk Data Komposisi Pangan Indonesia, dalam 100 gram buah lontar mengandung berbagai zat yakni; air, energi, protein, lemak, karbohidrat, serat, kalsium, fosfor, dan zat besi.

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Dengan kandungan berbagai zat tersebut, buah lontar memiliki banyak manfaat seperti mencegah dehidrasi, menjaga kesehatan ginjal, menjaga keseimbangan berat badan, melancarkan pencernaan, meningkatkan sistem kekebalan tubuh, mendukung kesehatan tulang, mendukung kesehatan kulit, dan menjadi sumber energi.

Selama di Jakarta, saya hanya menemukan buah lontar di Jalan Wahid Hasyim, kawasan Tanah Abang, sampai di persimpangan Jalan Sabang. Tidak terlalu banyak pedagang keliling yang menjual buah lontar, hanya satu atau dua saja.

Harga buah lontar Rp20.000 untuk lima butir daging lontar. Lumayan mahal dibandingkan dengan buah kelapa yang rata-rata dijual Rp5.000 per buah. Tapi melihat manfaatnya bagi kesehatan, tidak rugi membeli beberapa buah lontar.[]

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