Bengal currant
A tropical and subtropical plant. Salt tolerance is high. In Nepal it grows to 1000 m altitude. It suits dry sunny places. In India they are common on dry, sandy or loamy soils in the plains and low hills. It is very hardy and drought tolerant. It cannot tolerate heavy rainfall or waterlogged soils.
Also known as:
Avighna, Berenda, Caramba, Cay siro, Ci huang guo, Garchana kaayi, Kalakai, Kalakkay, Karamarda, Karamcha, Karanda, Karandan, Karande kaayi, Karaunda, Karaunte, Karekayi, Karonda, Karvanda, Karwand, Kerandang, Kerenda, Manaao ho, Naam daeng, Naam khee kaet, Nam-daeng, Perunkila, Senggaritan, Vaka, Wakay okachettu
Synonyms
- Arduina carandas (Linnaeus) K. Schumann
- Damna-canthus esquirolii H. Léveillé
- Carissa carandas Linn.
Edible Portion
- Fruit
Where does Bengal currant grow?
Found in: Asia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
Notes: There about 20-37 Carissa species. All Carissa species bear edible fruit. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. Now Carissa spinarum.
Status: The fruit are sold in markets in India. It is a cultivated food plant.
Growing Bengal currant
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. Plants can be kept clipped into a shrub otherwise they will be a climbing creeper. Plants can be grown from cuttings. Plants are often grown as a hedge.
Edible Uses: Fruit can be eaten fresh or used for juice or jelly. The can be very sour but ripe fruit are sweet. They are used for puddings, pickles, jams or as cooked fruit. The unripe fruit are pickled.
Production: Plants grown from seed fruit is the third year. A plant can keep producing for 30 years. A plant produces 4-5 kg of fruit. Fruit mature 100-110 days after fruit set. The fruit become darker and softer on ripening. In southern India plants fruit in April to May.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Fruit | 75 | 0.5 | - | - | 10 | - | 83 |
Bengal currant Photos
References
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