Desaru Fruit Farm: A Slice Of Tropical Paradise

KOTA TINGGI, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Tucked away in the heart of Johor’s coastal countryside lies a paradise for fruit lovers — the 32-hectare Desaru Fruit Farm, where the air is sweet with the scent of ripening fruit and the landscape bursts with colour.

From custard apples and breadfruit to cocoa and robusta coffee, hundreds of trees stand heavy with fruit, some ripe and ready for picking. For visitors, it’s not just a feast for the senses — it’s a chance to get closer to nature and learn about the diversity of Malaysia’s tropical bounty.

The farm, which cultivates over 100 species of tropical fruit trees, has long been a magnet for agro-tourism enthusiasts and families looking for a taste of fresh produce straight from the orchard.

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Tour guide Zaranah Yaakub delights in sharing stories about the many fruit varieties grown here — and one that always intrigues visitors is the humble ciku, or sapodilla.

“The sapodilla tree produces a white latex that’s actually used to make chewing gum,” she explained to participants of the Majestic Johor Media Famtrip, held in conjunction with Visit Johor Year 2026.

“People often ask why not use latex from rubber trees — but rubber latex is toxic and hardens quickly, so it’s not suitable for chewing gum,” she said.

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The ciku’s latex, she added, is edible and naturally sticky — the perfect base for gum-making, long before modern factories came along.

Foreign visitors, meanwhile, tend to be drawn to the more exotic finds — like the monyet banana, a small wild banana variety, or the vibrant passion fruit — both of which are rarely seen in their home countries.

“They’re fascinated by local plants that don’t grow where they come from,” said Zaranah. “Some even tell us that fruits like jackfruit are much bigger in their countries.”

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Established more than three decades ago, the farm is also home to a mini zoo featuring 37 animal species, including goats, peacocks, camels, llamas and ducks.

“The petting zoo is especially lively during school holidays,” Zaranah said. “Parents bring their children to feed the animals and learn about their habits and habitats — it’s both fun and educational.”

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Among the visitors was Mohd Azad Azmi, 38, who said the tour offered him a new appreciation for Malaysia’s agricultural richness and the people who nurture it.

“I was most fascinated by the fruits,” he said. “The guide explained each species clearly, and I learned about how farmers care for the trees to produce quality harvests.”

For those planning a visit, the entrance fee is RM40 for adults and RM35 for children — a small price for a day in Malaysia’s own tropical Eden.

-- BERNAMA