Organic Foods » Fruits

Pomegranate (Punica Granatum) Fruits of Kerala
Pomegranate is a fruit borne on a plant that comes somewhere between a shrub and a small tree. The plant family is punicaceae. This fruit has references in Bible and Quran.

Pomegranate, also called granada is a fruit that is filled with seeds surrounded with a jelly-like pulp. Fresh fruits are sweet and sour. Grenadine, the pulp extracted from the fruit forms an ingredient of alcoholic or non-alcoholic mix. However, grenadine itself is non-alcoholic.

The Malayalam word for pomegranate is mathalam.

Punica granatum belongs to the family lythraceae.

Banana (Musa) Fruits of Kerala, India
Banana perhaps will be the most common fruit in the entire world. In some parts of the world, banana is called plantain. The soft and sweet fruit of this tropical plant (not tree) in enjoyed by people from around the world. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of variety of banana found growing in different parts of the world. In Kerala, there are about 50 cultivars of Banana.

Here is a list of few cultivars of banana in Kerala. All names in Malayalam.

Palayam kodan – this is the most widely cultivated variety of banana in Kerala, very soft when fully ripe. It has a cooling effect on places of very hot and humid conditions.

Annaan – there are different cultivars under this name, each type offering a distinct flavor.

Ethan or nenthran (nenthra vazha) – fruits commonly find uses in variety of culinary preparations. Banana chips, banana fritters (locally called vazhakka appam or pazham pori), etc are prepared from this cultivar of banana. The fruit is a bit harder than many other varieties of bananas.

Morris or Robusta – the banana that retains its green color even after ripening, it comes from a dwarf variety of banana plants, cultivated throughout Kerala.

Poovan – this banana fruit variety is fairly larger in size than annaan, palayam kodan etc, is bright glossy yellow in appearance. Prices are high for this variety.

Kappa vazha (red banana) – is characterized by its red skin. fairly large sized fruit turns its color from deep brown to dark red as it ripens. The edible part is very soft.

Monthan – unlike all the above mentioned varieties, this is mostly a vegetable variety and rarely eaten raw. Complete ripening is not generally allowed.

Many varieties of banana plants in Kerala have been imported from countries like Brazil, African countries, USA, Australia, etc. The Agricultural University of Kerala too has developed new cultivars of bananas combining traces of different variety.

Banana fruits are rich in different minerals and components like vitamin A, B6, C and Potassium.

Banana leaves are used as natural plates in Kerala and is an important part of Kerala culture. People eat special Onam feast (the national festival of Kerala is most important to its people). The leaves are spread on floor, over which cooked rice and all the delicacies are served.

The core stem of the plant, called vazhappindi (vazha pindi) is used to prepare a side dish called thoran, which is recommended for persons with diabetes. The preparation is very tasty too. Similarly vazha koombu (vazhakkoombu, vazha kumbu, vazhakkumbu also called vazhachundu or vazha chundu), the flower or cone of plantain plants is also used as a nicely tasting vegetable. The cone is collected after the flower ceases to produce new fruits.

All variety uses of banana and plant parts are beneficial for stomach and use of them is part of Ayurveda lifestyle prevailing in Kerala and India.

Cocoa - Fruits of Kerala, India
Tall trees densely foliated right from the bottom through the top bearing fruits the size of 10-15 inches is not a rare sight in Kerala. Introduced to India, this tree is now a friend of Kerala farmers. The shades of Western Ghats prepare a unique setting for cocoa trees. Cocoa trees are cultivated on a commercial scale in Kerala, India. Cocoa cultivation in Kerala is mainly as an intercrop to coconut and areca nut farms.

Cocoa trees generally have very tiny white flowers (3-4mm) flowers throughout the year. Fruits first appear as tiny green pods, which grow to a size of 10-15 inches, oblong and grooved. The skin of the fruit, the shell is about 1-3 cm thick, which when broken by hitting against a hard object like stone, (not cut with a knife because it can damage the seeds) there appear 30-50 triangular seeds wrapped on milky to creamy fleshy covering, which is a delicacy.

The main usable part is the seeds or beans, which is sent to processing units to produce chocolate beverages or uncountable types.

Cocoa trees are planted in high-humus content loamy soil for maximum yields. The tree can also suffer if exposed to heavy winds. Keeping in close heels with Kerala, the other south Indian states, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh too have started cultivating cocoa on a large scale.

Egg Fruit (Pautaria Campechiana) Kerala or Indian Fruits
Egg fruit (Pautaria campechiana) is a lesser known fruit of sapota family. The tree that yields egg fruit is abundantly branched, bushy and of evergreen nature. In India egg fruit is found in all parts of Kerala. The 20-30 ft tree is abundant at the Western Ghats region. Though rarely, the fruits are sold at local markets of Kerala. Both children and adults take the fruit as a nice delicacy fruit.

The fruit got its name from the fact that it remotely resembles the size and shape of an egg. Epidermis or the edible part is also somewhat like the yolk of an egg, both in color and feel, very soft and easily ruptured. The fruit has a large seed. Young fruits have a glossy appearance while ripe fruits appear dull.

The taste and feel of the fruit is unique. Egg fruit is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C and proteins. Fruits are taken with or without its skin. The fruits also give rich flavor to certain milk shakes.

Ayurvedic texts or experts talking about egg fruit as a potential medicine is not found. Ayurveda sees taking naturally available food items a healthy practice, this fruit really does good for body and nervous system. Thus it can very well be included in a website dealing with Ayurveda and Ayurvedic practices.

The tree is found growing in a variety of soil types, ranging from clayey to sandy. Loamy soil, moderate rainfall and good drainage stimulate better plant growth and yield. It is also resistant to most of plant diseases.

Propagation is mainly through seeds, where small animals and birds play a role in distribution of the seeds. While cultivating, seeds are sown immediately after separating them from the fruits.

Pautaria campechiana belongs to the family Sapotaceae.