Salak (Salacca zalacca (Gaertner) Voss)

Abstract

The salak is an indigenous palm found throughout the Indo•Malaysian region. It is a small spiny palm that grows on moist well drained soil with high organic matter content. The fruit is drupe oval or spindle shaped (like a fig) with a distinct tip, tapering towards the top and rounded at the top end. The skin is covered with regularly arranged scale, creating an appearance similar to that of snake skin, from which the name 'snake skin fruit ' is derived. The salak is a crunchy fruit that has a taste that combines the flavours of apple, banana, and pineapple. It is a good source of antioxidants that cannot be matched by other tropical fruits.