by If you want to lose a friend, just leave a bag of Beluno in their car—it’s a guaranteed fallout! Beluno (or Baluno), also known as the white mango, is a variety of mango called Binjai in Peninsular Malaysia (Kemang in Indonesia). It has many fans in Sabah (Malaysia).
But unlike the sweet-smelling mangoes most people love, its pungent odour makes people steer clear. How would I describe the taste? Think of fermented, rotting fruit—multiplied by ten. Yet, many fans are drawn to its strong and distinctive fragrance.
Beluno’s outer skin is typically rough and bumpy, making it look quite unappealing. Its white or beige flesh is also different from the vibrant colours of other mangoes. If you can handle the smell, the flesh is actually juicy, tangy, and sweet, with a decent flavour.
The texture is creamy, but very fibrous—after a few bites, you’ll need to spit out the fibres. The seed is also quite large, leaving little flesh to enjoy. Like durian, those who love Beluno consider it a delicacy.
There are two main varieties of Beluno—one with a scurfy, brownish surface and a more sour taste, and another with smoother, greenish skin and a sweeter flavour. My mum says not to wait until it’s fully ripe, or it’ll taste earthy. I’ve tried Beluno myself and found it just okay, but I wasn’t a big fan. Many people prefer to pickle it (jeruk) or eat it with sauces like sambal chilli and dark soy sauce, which, in my opinion, makes it more palatable.
Beluno isn’t nearly as popular as other tropical fruits and is seen as a niche delicacy. Farmers often favour more profitable crops, so you won’t frequently find Beluno in the city—it’s more common in rural areas. The Beluno tree can grow up to 40 metres tall, and its sap is corrosive, so definitely avoid taking shelter under it when it rains! My aunt claims she gets itchy all over just walking under a Beluno tree, even without touching it. This fruit certainly has a ‘strong personality’. The scientific name of Beluno is Mangifera caesia, one of 31 mango species in Borneo.
Photos taken in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo
