Ber - nutrient-dense fruit

Ber - nutrient-dense fruit

 

Ber is an important minor fruit of India. It is the most hardy fruit-tree cultivated all over India and is often called the poor man’s fruit. Most trees in India growing isolated are of seedling origin and therefore bear poor quality and their fruit sells cheap.  Ber fruit is also known as Bor, Chinee Apple, Jujube, Indian plum and Masau. It’s a seasonal fruit and can be found in the market from November to March.

 The ripe fruits are mostly consumed raw. Many people, especially children, enjoy the candied form (made by immersing and cooking the fruits in salt and sugar solution). In some places, ripe fruits are sun-dried and a powder called borkut is prepared, which is also very popular among thechildren.

Ber is nutrient-dense fruit, with antioxidant and immuno-stimulant (stimulates your immune system) properties. So if you have weak immunity then eating ber can help. It’s also a rich source of vitamin C (richer than orange). And vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of cells in all parts of your body, including your skin and scalp. In addition, ber contains amino acids, B vitamins, calcium, iron, and phosphorous. These nutrients will keep your skin healthy, and your scalp and hair in tip top condition. Besides, ber is not just about taste and nutrition. 

This ancient fruit also has a great cultural significance. It was depicted in the epic of Ramayana (remember the story of Lord Ram and Shabri*), and therefore has been known for many centuries. In Maharashtra -an Indian state – there is a tradition of bathing children in bor fruits (bor nahan), as it’s believed to nurture their immune system. The Ber tree is also dear to God Shiva, whose worship is considered incomplete without offering of the ber fruit, especially during Mahashivaratri puja. 

    There are many varieties in different parts of India. Narma and Karaka are famous varieties of Varanasi in U.P. Umran or Umri is a large-fruited variety with a good yield and a good keeping quality cultivated around Delhi. Gola is very early, round-fruited variety of excellent quality exclusive to Delhi. Unfortunately, it does not have a good transport or keeping quality. Dandan, Kheera and Chonchal are other good varieties of this area. Kotho or Katha are from Alwar, Rajasthan and Meherun ber is from Jalgaon in Maharshta.  Mehrun is said to be resistant to fruit flies which otherwise is a serious pest of ber. 

A seedless variety for ber was found in Poona, but it has not spread, probably due to the small size of the fruits. The Indian ber has a spreading tree, vine-like branches, leaves which are dark green on the upper surface and densely felted on the lower surface, it flowers in autumn, bears fruits at the end of winter; if it sheds the leaves it does so in the hot weather after fruiting and does not like a cold climate.