Balsam apple, Apple Balsam

Where does Balsam apple grow?

Found in: Africa, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, China, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 45-50 Momordica species. The fruits are cathartic due to momordicin.

Status: Fruit are sold in markets. It is a commonly used leaf in Mozambique.

Growing Balsam apple, Apple Balsam

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed or tubers. It climbs over fences and huts.

Edible Uses: The young fruit are cooked as a vegetable. They are boiled or fried. They are also eaten raw. They are used in stews and pickled. Caution: The ripe fruit cause diarrhoea. They are used as a flavouring. The young leaves and tendrils are used as a potherb. The seeds are eaten after steeping in salt water and cooking. Without treatment they are poisonous.

Production: In Rajasthan in India it produces between August to October.

Nutrition Info

References

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