India has much to offer in terms of fruit diversity. While major fruits like mango, banana and citrus varieties are grown in abundance in many parts of the country, there are several unique and increasingly rare minor fruits that are collected from the wild and eaten mostly by the locals. It is only during the searing summers and cold winters of the subcontinent that some of these fruits appear on the rickety carts of street hawkers in Indian towns.
This list is not to rank the fruit, but rather just to inform you about them. The only fruit on this list I consider ranked is No: 1, as it deserves the spot, in clearly being the coolest fruit on the planet. How many of these exotically delicious fruit have you tried?
- Langsah/ Lotka(Langsat)
A small, translucent, orb-shaped fruit, langsah is most often found in South India. They can be quite sour when unripe, but are perfectly sweet when ripe with a taste similar to a bittersweet grapefruit. Even though this fruit’s demand skyrockets when it is in season, its cultivation does not extend beyond a handful of regions in the south.
The Plant is widely used for medicinal purposes-
the fruit peel is dried and burned to repel mosquitoes
used to treat intestinal parasites and diarrhea
powdered seeds are used to reduce fever
the bark is used to treat malaria and scorpion stings
help your diet
can be used as a cancer drug
helps in stronger teeth and bones
2)Jungli Jalebi/ Kodukkapuli (Camachile)
Resembling the Indian sweetmeat Jalebi, the spiralling green-pink pods of jungli jalebi (or kodukkapuli) contain about 6-10 shining black seeds enveloped in a thick, sweet, edible pulp. While the pulp can be eaten raw or made into a drink similar to lemonade, the tangy seeds are used in curries.It is due to the fruit’s resemblance to the Indian sweet jalebi that the plant has been given the name jungli jalebi.
The Plant is widely used for medicinal purposes-
-It prevents intestinal diseases.
-It is fruitful in curing Tuberculosis
-It is used to counter germ diseases.
-It cures cold.
3)Mangustaan (Mangosteen)
This tropical fruit is fragrant and the leathery purple-maroon shell surrounds a moist, snow-white and sweet fleshy interior. The flavour of the fruit is mellow and earthy, and is similar to mango in taste. They flourish in the Southern parts of India and have the following properties.
The Plant is widely used for medicinal purposes-
-mangosteen helps reduce hypertension levels, high cholesterol and oversees the quality of triglycerides of our own system.
-he rich Vitamin C within mangosteen supports
sight,and inhibits cataracts.
4)Ambarella (Indian Hog Plum)
Ambarella (Spondias dulcis) is a tropical tree with an edible fruit.The tree bear fruits abundantly from September to mid of January. Ambarella fruits grow in clusters of up to a dozen.Ambarella fruit is used to make jams, jellies and preserves. The fruit is added to soups, sauces and stews as flavorings. In certain places, ambarella is used in fruit salad or dried and made into a spicy paste to prepare certain dishes. The fruit can also be candied or processed into drinks.
The Plant is widely used for medicinal purposes-
-the fruit helps protect against heart diseases.
-helps produce haemoglobin and myoglobin.
5)Carambola (Star Fruit)
This fruit with a waxy skin makes a great preserve or pickle. While the unripe ones are green in colour and sour to taste, the ripened ones have a distinctly yellow colour, with slightly brown ribs are sweet. The fruit is grown throughout India, but especially in the Southern parts and have the following nutritional values.It's grows on a tree and has a thin edible waxy skin. The flavor is lightly sweet, and a little tart with a taste that combines element of grape, apple, and citrus. Its flesh has a texture that is firm and similar to that of a grape. It has a light refreshing taste.
The Plant is widely used for medicinal purposes-
-Starfruit can help an individual lose weight.
-Starfruit helps support the digestive system.
-. Starfruit can help maintain a healthy blood pressure.
India is indeed home to a very wide range of some very exotic variety of fruits which have tremendous health benefits.So,if this fruits are found in your area,go and try them.