namnam a leguminous fruit, Cynometra cauliflora, apparently native to a region stretching from Thailand to E. Malaysia.
The fleshy pods are about 10 cm (4") long, wrinkled, with yellow flesh and a single large seed within, which is discarded during preparation. There are two varieties, a sweet one which is eaten raw and a sour one which must first be cooked, when its flavour is reminiscent of quince.
© the Estate of Alan Davidson 1999, 2006, 2014 © in the Editor’s contribution to the second and third editions, Oxford University Press 2006, 2014.