Common Fruits of Nepal (English-Nepali with Photographs)
In Nepal, fruits are called Phal-phulharu (फलफूलहरु). Nepal
produces a variety of fruits, probably more than many other subtropical
countries. Nepal is situated on the southern slopes of the central
Himalayas and occupies a total area of 56,827 sq mi. Nepal's great
biodiversity is associated with the country's exceptional diversity of
topographic, climate, and aggro-ecological conditions. According to
these conditions, Nepal is divided into four main physiographic zones,
High Himalayas, High Mountains with alpine or sub-alpine climate, Mid-Hills with temperate or subtropical climate, and Lowlands with
tropical climate.
These four distinct zones make Nepal very rich in cultivated and wild varieties of fruits.
According to research done by Madhusudan P. Upadhaya and Bal K. Joshi, there
are more than 100 varieties of 15 major fruits. The authors write,
"Pharping cultivator (Kathmandu District) of pear, Junar (variety of
sweet orange) which are indigenous to Kathmandu valley and Dhankuta in the Eastern part of Nepal and Sindhuli District --
respectively are also commercial production. Many cultivators of lime
and lemon are indigenous to Mid-Hills of Nepal and popular even in
neighboring countries. These cultivators perform better than exotic
clones due to many desirable economical characters. In case of Citrus
fruits, sour orange "Kalo Jyamir", citron "Bimiro" etc. are the
indigenous fruit plants cultivated in Sub-Tropical climate areas".
Citrus fruits are usually found in abundance in winter months. The best
varieties come from Dhankuta (धनकुटा), Terhathum District (तेह्रथुम ), Sankhuwasabha District (सङ्खुवासभा), Ilam (इलाम), Sindhuli District (सिन्धुली), Ramechhap District (रामेछाप), Dhading District (धादिङ), Kabhrepalanchok District (काभ्रेपलाञ्चोक), Lamjung District (लमजुङ), Syangja District (स्याङ्जा), Palpa District (पाल्पा), Gulmi District (गुल्मी) and Dadeldhura District (डडेलधुरा) area. Some of the unique varieties are produced in large quantities. The most common are: Suntalaa (Mandarin), Hariyo Kaagati (Lime), Kaagati
(Lemon), Nibuwaa (Lemon), Bhogate (Pomillo), Mausham (Sweet Orange),
Junaar (Junar Orange), Bimiro (Citron), Kaalo Jayamir (Rough Lemon),
Kathe Jyaamir (Rough Lemon), Keep (Spur Orange), Chaaksi (Sweet Lime),
Shanktro (Grapefruit), and Muntalaa (Kumquat). Please check the botanical names under the glossary of fruits.
In the Terai regions, tropical fruits like -
Aamp (Mango), Katahar (Jackfruit), lichi (Lychee), Keeraa (Banana),
Sarifaa (Custard Apples) and many other varieties grow in great
numbers. The best varieties come from Bara District (बारा), Parsa District (पर्सा), Sarlahi (सर्लाही), Chitwan District (चितवन), Kapilvastu District (कपिलवस्तु), Nawalparasi District (नवलपरासी), Dang Deukhuri (दाङ्ग देउखरी), Kabhrepalanchok District (काभ्रेपलाञ्चोक), Dhading District (धादिङ), and
Nuwakot District (नुवाकोट). Nepal has a complex topography with hills and flat lands. Many fruits that
are grown in the remote areas are hard to transport due to the lack of
basic transportation. These areas are often lacking adequate storage facilities. It is
imperative that Nepal develop fruit industry to help economy.
It
is common knowledge that in every season there is a special kind of
fruit. All the seasonal fruits in Nepal are tree-ripened and have a
delicious taste, texture, flavor and color. Some of the fruits that are
grown in Nepal are a definitely "must try". The most popular ones are
the exotic loose-skin tangerine, delicious mangoes, guavas bursting with
flavor, custard fruit, the mild flavored papaya and the brown-skinned-juicy-crunchy pear.
In Nepali culture, fruits
plays an important role in many festive occasions and religious
rituals. They are considered one of the most auspicious foods offered to deities as a part of devotional worship offerings. The
religious rituals are never complete without offering some fruits
(coconut, banana, bel fruit, sugarcane) along with flowers, incense, Naivedya sweets (food made especially for deities), holy water and
light. Different fruits are used for specific religious occasions.
Fruits like bananas are considered good luck and are given to people who are about to travel.
Most of the pictures in my blog weres captured
in the colorful open-air market around Indra Chowk square and the
historic district of Asan Bazaar in Kathmandu. In the early hours of
morning time, the farmers and fruit vendors set up produce stalls and are ready for service. The
locals have a great selection of seasonal or year around fruits to
choose during
the peak season. You may see a local farmer balancing a bamboo pole
across his shoulders, holding two wicker woven baskets full of freshly
picked fruits and vegetables, heading to the market. In Nepali
vegetable markets,
one can experience the proud skills of vendors arranging every tiny
space with a dramatic display of vegetables and fruits. On many
street corners, vendors set up their wicker baskets stands, with a just picked fresh fruits and
vegetables. The most popular ones are green Gooseberry, Lichi fruit, Labsi (Hog plum), Guava, and Tangerines.
The vegetables are sold in the markets weighted in a
hand-held local scale, known as Taraaju, which comes in a variety of
sizes and forms. Measurements are done in kilograms. Most Nepali
households do not store fresh vegetables and fruits, so they are bought fresh every day.
I
am so glad to be able to compile the glossary of the most common fruits
of Nepal and present it to you in my blog. I trust the glossary is useful
to you, but I am still looking for some pictures of fruits that I wanted
to add to the lists. I have included the images of
the fruits along with Nepali, Scientific and Common names of the most
fruits of Nepal. Most of the information was collected from
several journals, research papers and a book on the introduction to
Nepalese Food Plants. Please go through the images and check the
scientific names and if you find it incorrect in some cases, please let
me know what I missed. Since I am not a botanist, there may be some
inaccuracy. I would deeply appreciate your feedback - so that I can revise and make corrections.
I will be dividing the "visual guide to the fruits of Nepal" into
three different sections. Please check each one out. I hope you will
have much fun as I am have had putting together the virtual tour of
Nepali fruits. Please drop me a few lines in the comments section of
the blog. Your comments and feedback are important and I would love to
hear from you.
Apple - Shaayau - (स्याउ) - Malus sylrestris
Apricot - Khurpaani - (खुर्पानी) - Prunus armenica L.
Avocado - Gheuphal - (घीउफल) - Persea americana
Banana - Keraa - (केरा) - Musa paradisiaca
Barberry, Nepal - Chutro - (चुत्रो) - Berberis aristata Dc.
Bayar (Chinese Date, Indian Plum) - (बयर) - Zigyphus mauritiana Lamk
Bay-Berry - Kaaphal - (काफल) - Myrica esculenta
Bead Plum - Haade Bayer - (हाडेवयर) - Zizyphus incurva Roxb
Blueberry - Neelo Aaiselu - नीलो ऐसेलु
Cherry - Paiyun - (पैयुँ) - Prunus cerasoides D. Don
Coconut - Nariwal - (नरिवल) - Cocos nucifera L.
Custard Apple or Sugar Apple - Sariphaa - (सरीफा) - Annona squamosa L.
Date - Khajoor - (खजूर) - Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.
Fig - Anjir, Nevaro - (अन्जिर, नेभारो) - Ficus carica L.
Goji berry - Goji Beri - (गोजी बेरी) - Lycium barbarum
Gooseberry, Indian - Amalaa - (अमला) - Emblica officinalis
Grape - Angoor -Daakh - (अंगुर, दाख) - Vitis vinifera L.
Grapefruit - Sankhatro - (संखत्रो) - Citrus paradisi Macf.
Guava - Ambaa or Ammaa - (अम्बा) - Psidium guajava L.
Jack Fruit - Rukh Kathar - (रुख कटहर) - Artocarpus heterophylla Lamk
Java Plum, Black Plum - Jaamun - (जामुन) - Eugenia jambolana Lamk.
Kumquat - Muntalaa - (मुन्तला) - Fortunella joponica Swingle
Lapsi - Nepalese Hog Plum - (लप्सी)
Lemon (very sour) - Jyaamir - (ज्यामिर)
Lemon, Rough - Kaathe Jyamir - (काठे ज्यामीर) - Citrus jambhiri
Lemon, Citron - Bimiro - (बिमिरो) - Citrus medica L.
Lemon, (chook-amilo lemon) - Kaalo Jyamir - (कालो ज्यामीर) - Citrus junos Tanaka
Lemon (yellow) - Nibuaa - (नीबुआ) - Citrus limon Burm
Lime (green) Kaagati - (कागती) - Citrus aurantifolia Swingle
Lime sweet - Chaaksi - (चाक्सी) - Citrus limettioides Tanaka
Lychee, Lichee - Lichi - (लिची) - Nephelium litchi camp.
Loquat – Loquat - (लौकाट) - Eribotrya eliptica
Mango - Aanp - (आँप) - Mangifera indica L.
Mulberry (black, red, local) - Kimbu - (किम्बु) - Morus alba L., Morus rubra L., Morus bombycis Koidzumi)
Oleaster - Maadilo - (मदिलो) - (Elaeagnus latifolia L.)
Orange - (Mandarin, Tangerine, Satsuma orange, Loose skin Orange) - Suntalaa - (सुन्तला) - Citrus reticulata Blanco
Orange (sweet or Malta orange) - Maushambi - (मौशम्बी) - Citrus sinensis Osbeck
Orange - Junaar - जुनार - Citrus sinensis
Orange Keep, (Spur Orange, Bitter Orange) - Keep - (कीप) - Citrus aurantium L.
Papaya - Papitaa or Mewaa - (पपिता अथवा मेवा) - Carica papaya L.
Peach - Aaru - (आरु) - Prunus persica Stokes.
Pear - Nashpaati - (नास्पाती) - Pyrus communis L.
Pear Chinese - Chinia Naspaati - (चिनिया नासपाती) - Pyrus: pyrifolia Nakai.
Persimmon - Haluaabed - (हलुवाबेद) - Japanese persimmon - Diospyros kaki
Persimmon - Haluaabed - (हलुवाबेद) - Diospyros virginiana L.Physalis
Plum - Alubukharaa - (आलुबखडा) - Prunus domestica
Pineapple - Bhuin Katahar - (भुइँ कटहर) - Ananas Comosus
Pomegranate - Anaar, Daarim - (अनार - दारिम) - Punica granatum L.
Pomilo or Pummelo - Bhogate - (भोगटे) - Citrus grandis Osbeck
Quince - Nepali Shaayau - (नेपाली स्याउ) - Cydonia oblonga Mill.
Raspberry Himalayan - Ainselu - (ऐंसेलु) - (yellow, red, black) - Rubus ellipticus Smith
Sati Bayar - (Nepal sumac) - Satibayar - (सति वयर) - Rhus parviflora Roxb.
Starfruit - Kantaraa - (कन्तरा) - Carambola
Strawberry - Straberi - (स्ट्रबेरी) - Fragaria ananassa
Wood Apple, Bengal quince - Bel - (बेल) - Aegle marmelos Corrg
Walnut (thick shell Black) - Haade Okhar - (हाडेओखर) - Juglans regia L.
Water Melon - Kharbooza or Kharbujaa - (खर्बुजा) - Cucumis melo L.
Wild Pear - Mayal - (मयल) - Pyrus pashia Buch-Ham
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| Apple - Shaayau - (स्याउ) |
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| Apricot - Khurpaani - (खुर्पानी) - Photo courtesy |
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| Avocado - Gheuphal - (घीउफल) - Photo courtesy |
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| Banana - Keraa - (केरा) |
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| Another close-up picture of - Banana - Keraa - (केरा) |
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| Blueberry - Neelo Aaiselu - नीलो ऐसेलु |
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| Cherry - Paiyun - (पैयुँ) |
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| Citron - Bimiro - (बिमिरो) - Citrus medica L. |
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| Coconut - Nariwal - (नरिवल) |
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| Custard Apple or Sugar Apple - Sariphaa - (सरीफा) - Annona squamosa L. |
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| Close-up image - Custard Apple or Sugar Apple - Sariphaa - (सरीफा) - Annona squamosa L. |
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| Fig - Anjir, Nevaro - (अन्जिर, नेभारो) - Ficus carica L. |
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| Fig - Anjir, Nevaro - (अन्जिर, नेभारो) - Ficus carica L. |
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| Goji berry - Goji Beri - (गोजी बेरी) - Lycium barbarum - photo courtesy |
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| Another image of - Goji berry - Goji Beri - (गोजी बेरी) - Lycium barbarum - Photo courtesy |
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| Gooseberry, Indian - Amalaa - (अमला) - Emblica officinalis |
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| Grape - Angoor -Daakh - (अंगुर, दाख) |
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| Grape - Angoor -Daakh - (अंगुर, दाख) |
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| Guava - Ambaa or Ammaa - (अम्बा) |
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| Close-up image - Guava - Ambaa or Ammaa - (अम्बा) |
Please turn to the next chapter (2 of 3) to take another visual guide to the fruits of Nepal
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