Article 34 – A Unique Spice Of Your State And Its Uses

KOKUM [Gracinia indica]

• DESCRIPTION:

Kokum is a slender evergreen small tree with drooping branches. It is a dioecious tree growing up to 18 meters high. The fruit is spherical, purple, not grooved having 5-8 seeds compressed in an acid pulp

• ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION:

The tree is oriental in origin, found in Southern India [Karnataka] it is grown, particularly in the tropical rain forest of Western Ghats of Ratnagiri, Konkan, Coorg and Wynadu region. It is also found in the evergreen forests of Assam, Khasi, Jantia hills, West Bengal and Gujarat. The crop prefers warm and moderately humid tropical climate with a total rainfall range of 2500-5000mm grows under a mean annual temperature of 20-30 degree C, 60-80% humidity and up to an altitude of 800 meters above MSL Best uses of kokum

• USES OF KOKUM:

Kokum (Graciniaindica) has multiple health and medicinal benefits. The fruits of Graciniaindica is an excellent source of anti-oxidants that prevents to free radicals thereby helps from different diseases. Kokum is used in case of piles, flatulence, constipation, heatstroke, pain , tumor etc. The dried outer cover of Graciniaindica is used as spice. It is also known as ‘cool king’ of Indian fruits

• Other important spices grown in Karnataka are pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, chilli, clove, nutmeg and mace, vanilla, garlic,

By

Raksha Patil 10^th Aura

Love dale Central School