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    Ratamba / रतांबा / Kokum / Garcinia indica Choisy

    Local Name: Ratamba / रतांबा

    Common Name: Kokum

    Botanical Name: Garcinia indica Choisy

    Status & Habitat

    • Status: Vulnerable

    • Habitat: Tree

    • Occurrence: Forest lands, riversides and wastelands

    • Season of Availability: Monsoon and post-monsoon.

    • Geography: Western Ghats

    • Method of Propagation: Seed and Vegetative propagation

    • Part used for Propagation: Seeds collected from fresh fruits and stem cuttings and grafting

    Edible Parts

    • Edible Parts: Fruit

    • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes (however it is very sour)

    Method of Consumption

    • Raw: Yes

    • Ripe: N/A

    • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

    • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

    • As Food: Fruit can be eaten raw or juiced; outer portion can be dried and used in sabji; dried outer portion is also used to make syrup which is used as a concentrate.

    • As Medicine: Tender leaves are crushed with buttermilk to treat headaches; fruit juice helps with hives and allergies; kokum juice is taken to treat sore throat.

    • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Not required

    • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required

    • Pickling: Yes

    • Brining: N/A

    • Fermenting: N/A

    • Drying for later Consumption: Yes

    • Overall Method: Fruit can be eaten raw or juiced; outer portion can be dried and used in sabji; dried outer portion is also used to make syrup which is used as a concentrate.

    Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

    • Nutritional Benefit: Rich in carbohydrates.

    • Medicinal Benefit: Heart ailments, Piles, Deworming, Stomach disorders

    Tribal Wisdom

    • Tribal Wisdom: Tender leaves are crushed with buttermilk to treat headaches; fruit juice helps with hives and allergies; kokum juice is taken to treat sore throat.

    Recipes

    • Tribal Recipe: Solkadi: soak kokum pods in warm water for 30 to 45 minutes. Extract the juices and retain the water. Crush green chili, cumin seeds, garlic, coriander leaves, and salt together. Blend freshly grated coconut with water to make a smooth paste, then strain it to obtain coconut milk. Mix the extracted coconut milk with kokum concentrate, crushed spices, and adjust seasoning. Garnish with mint leaves or chopped coriander and serve chilled.