Common Fruits of Nepal (English-Nepali with Photographs)(Phalphul-फलफुल) - (Part 1 of 3)
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.
- 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.
- 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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| Bay-Berry - Kaaphal - (काफल) - Myrica esculenta - Photo Courtesy - Saroj Bhattrai |
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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) |
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| Grapefruit - Sankhatro - (संखत्रो) |
Please turn to the next chapter (2 of 3) to take another visual guide to the fruits of Nepal
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