Why Osmanthus Fruits Are Meant to Be Smelled and Not Eaten

As August arrives and northern Vietnam transitions into autumn, osmanthus fruits start appearing in street stalls and markets. Walking through the usual streets or visiting the local markets, one can find abundant displays of these golden fruits, filling the air with their intoxicating fragrance.

Osmanthus fruits are typically purchased for decorative purposes or to be offered at altars, rather than for consumption. Their beauty and aroma make them a popular choice for homes and religious ceremonies. In the folk tale “Tấm Cám,” the old woman, upon seeing the osmanthus fruit in the tree, says: “Oh, osmanthus fruit, if you fall, let me smell you, but I won’t eat you.”

While it is true that osmanthus fruits are edible, their consumption does not offer significant health benefits. According to PGS.TS Nguyen Thi Lam (former Vice Director of the National Institute of Nutrition), the pleasant aroma of ripe osmanthus fruits can induce a sense of comfort and relaxation, especially for those living in crowded urban areas.

People often opt not to eat these fruits, instead utilizing them for their fragrance. Osmanthus fruits tend to have an astringent taste, even when fully ripe, and their sap can leave an unpleasant coating in the mouth. Additionally, consuming these fruits may affect intestinal motility, forming a lump in the small intestine. Particularly, unripe osmanthus fruits contain high levels of tannin, which, when combined with stomach acid, creates an indigestible mass, leading to intestinal obstruction. For these reasons, osmanthus fruits are primarily enjoyed for their aroma and aesthetic value rather than as a food item.

Osmanthus fruits with a relaxing fragrance

The fragrant osmanthus fruits offer a relaxing aroma.

Ripe osmanthus fruits should be soft, and to eat them, one can gently squeeze and twist the fruit until it slightly opens, allowing the sweet yet slightly astringent flesh to be sucked out. It is not recommended to eat these fruits on an empty stomach, especially if they are unripe.

How to Select Fresh Osmanthus Fruits for a Longer Display

Choosing osmanthus fruits with a bent shape

Traditional wisdom suggests that bent osmanthus fruits are sweeter and more aromatic than round ones.

Frequently asked questions

The aroma of fruits is captivating because it is a natural and complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that our brains find pleasing. These VOCs are also an evolutionary signal of ripeness and nutritional value.

While the scent may be alluring, it is best to just smell these fruits and refrain from consuming them. Many fruits with strong aromas contain high levels of sugars and chemicals that may be harmful if ingested.

Examples include Durian, Jackfruit, and Mangosteen. These fruits are known for their potent and distinctive aromas, but they also contain high levels of sugars, tannins, and other compounds that can cause digestive issues if consumed in excess.

Absolutely! By just smelling the fruit, you can still enjoy the pleasing aroma and also avoid any potential negative effects of consumption. This practice can also help reduce our environmental footprint as some of these strongly scented fruits require significant resources for cultivation and transportation.

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