Wild fruits in the state found in the summer season are relished by residents and are also a source of livelihood for locals engaged in their collection and sale, reports Bhiva P Parab
Goa’s summer season has its foodie moments due to the consumption of various lip-smacking cooling drinks and the arrival of mango- the king of fruits.
A lesser known delicacy is the wild, seasonal fruits found in the outskirts of villages and in forested areas. The seasonal fruits grew naturally in the past when the forest cover of the state was lush and diverse. Today their availability is come down due to urbanization although there are many residents who still relish locally grown produce than what arrives from across the border.
Contrary to the perception that summer is unfavourable for the cultivation of fruits if one takes a walk in and around the villages and hinter land there are varied fruits waiting to be plucked and eaten.
Several residents during this time of the year are engaged in the seasonal business of collecting wild fruits and berries and selling them in the markets. For them the activity brings additional income to tide through the approaching rainy months when farming stops.
It may be noted that wild, seasonal fruits are loved by many and they are healthy too being a good source of vitamins and minerals. For some people the time from March to May is for collecting various fruits like churna and karangana. Villagers collect the fruits and sell it directly in the markets or to the fruit vendors.
The Churna fruit is white in colour which when ripe tastes sweet, but while plucking the fruit one has to be cautious as the Churna tree has thorns. The fruiting period of Churna is around March to May and since the fruit is small and handy it can be eaten even on the move.
The price of the wild fruits varies according to the quality and the size. The price also depends on the quantity available and the demand in the market. According to vendors the fruits fetch good income since they are in demand from residents. “Some shoppers especially ask for the wild fruits which are locally found in the hilly area. They like to eat the seasonal produce for many reasons. However in the city markets the fruits are little costly than in the villages,” said a vendor. He explained that, transportation cost is added to the rate at which the fruit is sold to customers making the final price quite expensive.
Usually in the local village markets or on the roadsides the vendors sell Churna’ and Karangana, a type of local berries. The sale is in cones made of leaves, which is an eco-friendly way of packaging. A cone filled with Churna’ and Karangana’ is usually priced at Rs 50 per cone, however the price differs from place to place and in market like Panaji the same quantity of these fruits may be priced higher.
Jambala (jamun) is appreciated for its deep purple colour and taste. When the fruit is eaten, it changes the colour of the tongue to purple due to its coloring properties. The seeds of jamun can be processed into powder which is useful for diabetes. Jamun flavoured ice cream has a special savour although not many ice cream brands have it. Some locals are of the opinion that one should not drink water immediately after eating the fruit as it gives stomach pain. The jamun is sold per piece in Goa and actually expensive to buy for middle class customers.
There is also another fruit known as, jaam which is a green or dark pink in colour. The jaam is hollow inside and has a thin skin with mild taste. It provides the much-needed hydration during the summer heat. Jaam trees in the past were found in many residential colonies but today their numbers have decreased significantly.
The wet or raw cashew are locally called Bibbe, and is used in the preparation of curry. The cashew apples are also eaten and the juice called ‘niro’ is also a favourite of many.
There are more fruits which are available in the summer in the state and these fruits are healthy and tasty. Apart from the above mentioned fruits various other fruits include the bhirana (Kokam) and Phanas’ (jackfruit), which is a large and heavy fruit.
The jackfruit which is enormous and prickly on the outside when cracked open consists of fleshy parts (bulbs) which is eaten. During summers in the state a vegetable dish is prepared from the unripe jackfruits, while the ripe jackfruit which has a strong smell is eaten directly. The jackfruit seeds are boiled and eaten. The fruit contains various vitamins and minerals and has several health benefits, according to Ayurvedic doctors.
The demand of the wild, seasonal fruits in the market is robust despite the presence of exotic fruits such as dragon fruit, and avocado as well as regular fruits such as grapes and oranges. With widespread construction and villages demarcated into urban areas, wild fruits in future will become a rarity. So it is best to relish them when still available.
