I love the fruit stands in SE Asia where you can buy cut fruit that often comes with a little package of chili salt. In my family, guava is one of those fruits we always eat with chili salt. But chili salt is basically great with any fruit that’s a bit tart, like green mango, pineapple, or grapefruit. My mom always told me that adding a bit of salt to any fruit that’s sour would bring out its natural sweetness. Or maybe spicy, sour, and salty is just the SE Asian sweet. :) When we lived in Arizona, we noticed that Mexican road stands also sold mango with chili salt, so there has to be something to it, right?
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Yes! People think I’m crazy when I serve my homemade chili/salt/sugar mix alongside guava/pomelo, but it really is so good. Have you also tried suan mei fen (sour plum powder) with pears? Another great combo :)
I think I know suan mei (the dried version), but I’m not familiar with the powder. Sounds intriguing — I’ll have to try! Is it available at the Asian grocer’s?
You know.. I bought mine in Taiwan so I never had to look stateside. If anything, you could use the actual preserved plums to get an idea of the taste? Tim’s family loves to eat fresh tomatoes with the powder too.
This definitely sounds like something I would get into… I will look for it next time I head to Grand/H Mart! Thanks!