Fruits are a crucial
component of the human diet and help with nutrition since they are abundant in fiber,
vitamin C, and water. India boasts the distinction of being the second largest
producer of fruits in the world. India has the most diversified climates
throughout its length and width, ranging from the chilly Himalayan belts to the
tropical belts in Southern India.
Today's supermarkets
provide a wide variety of fruits from all over the world in addition to India.
Anyone walking down the perishable aisle at the store will undoubtedly have
their senses assaulted by the color and aroma of the fruits. However, research
indicates that locally grown, organic food is considerably superior in terms of
nutritional value. India offers a broad selection of mouthwatering, exotic fruits that are cultivated right here in India.
During the hot summers and chilly winters of the subcontinent, these increasingly rare, tiny fruits are harvested from the wild and mostly consumed by the natives. Here are some unusual, uncommon fruits that can be found in India, along with information on their nutritional value:
1. Jungli Jalebi/ Kodukkapuli (Camachile)
The spiraling green-pink pods of jungli jalebi (or kodukkapuli), which resemble the Indian sweetmeat Jalebi, contain 6–10 sparkling black seeds encased in a rich, sweet, edible pulp. While the acidic seeds are used in curries, the pulp can be consumed raw or turned into a beverage resembling lemonade.
This fruit is indigenous
to the Caribbean, Central Asia, Florida, Guam, and the Philippines, as well as
Mexico and America.
Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal are among the Indian
states that have it.
Bark and pulp have
hemostatic and astringent properties.
The pulp and bark are
used to cure toothaches, gum conditions, and general haemorrhages.
The bark extract is also
used to treat tuberculosis, severe diarrhoea, and dysentery.
Ulcers can be treated
using the ground seed.
2. Carambola (Star Fruit)
This fruit, which has a waxy exterior, is excellent for pickling or preserving. The ripened ones have a characteristic yellow colour with somewhat brown ribs and are delicious, as opposed to the unripe ones, which are green in colour and acidic to taste. The fruit, which is primarily grown in the southern regions of India, has the following nutritional benefits:
Antioxidants, potassium,
and vitamin C are all abundant in parabola.
Acid, sugar, and salt
levels are low.
3. Buddha’s Hand (Fingered Citron)
This strange fruit has yellow tentacles that are lengthy and resemble gnarled human fingers. It resembles a misshapen lemon. The fruit has a moderate and zesty flavour and is fragrant. Some academics claim that the fruit was brought to China circa 400 AD by emigrating Buddhist monks from India. Buddha's Hand fruits are grown in northeastern India and contain the following qualities:
Buddha's Hand fruit
doesn't have any pulp or juice, in contrast to other citrus fruits.
The "exquisite form
and aroma" are what are most highly regarded about it.
The fruit can be eaten
candied as a sweet or used as a zest or flavouring in savoury dishes, alcoholic
beverages (like vodka), and desserts.
In conventional
medicine, the sliced, dried peel of immature fruits is also recommended as a
tonic.
4. Langsah/ Lotka (Langsat)
This tiny, translucent,
orb-shaped fruit has a bittersweet grapefruit-like flavour and is extremely
sour when unripe but delightfully sweet when mature. This fruit, which is
exclusively grown in a few places in East and South India (particularly in the
Nilgiri highlands), has the following characteristics:
The fruit langsat is
incredibly nutrient-dense, including large amounts of essential substances like
proteins, carbs, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fibre.
It contains plenty of
vitamin A, thiamine, and riboflavin, which are essential for a number of bodily
processes.
It has been demonstrated
that the fruit's seeds are anti-malarial.
The langsat fruit aids
in the treatment of digestive tract issues.
The fruit's high fibre
content benefits digestive health.
5. Mangustaan (Mangosteen)
This aromatic tropical fruit has a wet, snow-white, and sweet fleshy interior that is encased in a leathery purple-maroon shell. The fruit has a mellow, earthy flavour that is reminiscent of mango. Thailand's national fruit is the mangosteen. They thrive in India's southern regions and possess the following traits:
Antioxidants in the
fruit have therapeutic qualities.
Mangos teens are very
low in calories, contain no cholesterol or saturated fats, but are high in
dietary fibre.
Additionally, it
contains plenty of magnesium, copper, manganese, and vitamin C.
The fruit contains
anti-inflammatory effects, aids in the promotion of red blood cells, lowers
cholesterol, strengthens weakened immune systems, etc. It helps fight diseases
such as tuberculosis, blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Japani Phal (Persimmon)
Japani Phal, a Himachali term for the unique, rich, deep orange-red persimmon, is the term used locally for this temperate fruit. The fruit is delicate, sweet, and delicious when it is fully ripe. The fruit is a native of China, and early 20th-century European settlers brought it to India. The fruit, which is cultivated in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and the Nilgiri Hills, has the following characteristics:
The fruit is a good
source of vitamins C and A.
It also contains a lot
of manganese, a mineral that aids in protecting against lung and mouth cancers
as well as keeping healthy mucous membranes and skin. Persimmons are an excellent
source of fibre, B-complex vitamins, and copper and phosphorus.
Low in calories and
fats, this little fruit contains antioxidants too.
However, excessive
consumption of the fruit may be harmful to health.
7. Ambarella (Indian Hog Plum)
A ripe ambarella, often known as wild mango, has the mild sweetness of pineapple and the puckering acidity of an unripe mango. They can be consumed as a juice, a pickle, a fruity cocktail flavouring, or as plain slices with salt and red chilli powder. The fruit, which is grown in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa, has the following characteristics:
The fruit is a natural
antioxidant and high in vitamin C.
Collagen serves to
maintain the health of the skin, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
It helps boost the
immune system.
The fruit is rich iniron content and helps produce haemoglobin and myoglobin.
Research shows that the
fruit helps protect against heart diseases.
8. Karonda (Carandas Cherry)
Wild berries called karondas are nutrient-dense. Unripe fruits have wonderful flesh, and when they are ripe, they make a good alternative to cranberries. The fruits are frequently used in delicious pickles and jams. Karondas, which are grown in the Nilgiri Hills, the Western Ghats, and the Siwalik Hills of Bihar and West Bengal, possess the following qualities:
The astringent fruit of
the Karonda plant is used to cure skin disorders.
It aids in providing
relief from constipation, stomach pain, and poor digestion.
It has traditionally
been used to treat anorexia as well as insanity and anaemia.
Fever, diarrhoea, and
earaches are all treated with leaf decoction.
The roots help give
relief from itches and also act as insect repellents.
9. Targola/ Taal (Ice Apple or Sugar Palm fruit)
The Taal fruit, which has a firm brown skin and a jelly-like core, is a refreshing treat during India's sweltering summer. This fruit's texture and flavor are comparable to litchi and fresh coconut, respectively. The fruit is used to manufacture toddy, an alcoholic drink popular in India. This fruit, which is grown in Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, has the following health advantages:
It gives the body the
ideal ratio of minerals and sugar during the summer.
It contains a lot of
calcium, iron, and B vitamins.
The fruit is also rich
in potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and vitamins A, B, and C.It helps in
hydrating the body and also helps in weight loss.
Ice Apple is very good
for pregnant women.
10. Phalsa (Indian Sherbet Berries)
The flavour combination of phalsa fruit is the ideal balance of sweet and tart. When mature, this superfruit can be eaten with a sprinkle of salt and black pepper and has powerful cooling qualities. Additionally, the fruit is used to make syrups and squash. The health advantages of phalsa, an Indian plant, include:
Calcium, iron,
magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin C are all abundant in the fruit.
For the treatment of
diarrhoea, discomfort, rheumatism, and arthritis, phalsa plant bark is
employed.
The leaves cure wounds,
eczema, and other skin problems by acting as an antibiotic.
Unbelievably unusual and
wide-ranging fruits with excellent health properties can be found in India.
You must eat a variety
of fruits practically every day, such as bananas, pomegranates, oranges, and
apples, among others. The exotic fruits, however, are also nutrient-rich. These
days, it's simple to get these fruits in the market or via online fruit stores.
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