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HLB Specialties, known for its papayas, has begun importing Guatemalan rambutan fruit. Launching the last week of June, the rambutan fruit hit Florida stores of major national retailer. In various stores in South Florida, HLB Specialties will introduce the fruit by creating tasting demos that explain how to prepare the fruit in meals.

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The rambutan is an exotic fruit similar to a lychee or a mamoncillo, but contains pulp and no fibers. It tastes juicy and sweet like a grape gummy. It is shelled with red spikes, which contributed to the fruits nickname, “messy hair.” To further the publicity of the ramputan, the fruit was recently promoted at a soccer match in Miami by Argentinean soccer star Lionel Messi.

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In response to the soccer match, Mr. Lorenz Hartmann de Barros, Director of Sales at HLB Specialties stated, “The responses varied from curious stares to exclamations of recognition from people who knew the fruit from their home countries such as Honduras and Costa Rica… They ate the rambutans and even asked for more.”

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Ideal for retailers, HLB Specialties carries the rambutans in a four- count clamshell. The clamshell extends its shelf life, protects from mishandling, while retaining the proper humidity. According to a press release, buyers can order them in 5lb bulk box and 5.8lb boxes, each box containing 24 clamshells. The ramputan season will end in November.

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HLB Specialties

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