It’s been more than a decade since I lived away from home, when I lived in the UK for 4 years for Law school between the years of 2007-2012. However, it seems to be a different experience moving abroad as an adult. If there’s one thing I took for granted living in Malaysia is the abundance of tropical fruits that we have.

Let me tell you about my ultimate favourite fruit, Bua’ Kiran (as it is known in our Lun Bawang language) or also known as the ‘Tarap’ fruit which is only mainly found in the states of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia (and including Indonesia and Philippines). It falls within the same jackfruit family, but more delicious with an almost vanilla bean, custard-like taste, and soft flesh – I miss this fruit the most. It’s quite rare nowadays, and high in demand when in season (around August-October).

My dad would lovingly pluck the fluffy seeds from the fruit, freeze them in a container, and then wrap them with layers and layers of newspaper and clingwrap – just so that it would arrive safely to me in Kuala Lumpur 😍

If you didn’t already know, fruit is how many Asian parents show their love. No “How are you?”, or “I missed you”. Just them saying “I’ve brought a bag of fruits for you!”

As I grow older, this gesture is more appreciated especially now living in Japan where familiar tropical fruit from the equator is rare. Even if you are visiting from abroad, bringing in any fruit is strictly forbidden to protect the Japanese agriculture ecosystem.

It’s amazing how simple fruit can evoke such memories of home.

What about you? Do you have any particular fondness of fruits that remind you of home, or the comforts of simpler times? Let me know in the comments!