Himachal Pradesh is a magical land blessed with bountiful natural beauty, charming little village hamlets, and snowcapped peaks. All these over the years have worked together to create the perfect ambiance for adventure enthusiasts, spirituality seekers, and peace lovers alike. There is literally everything for every type of explorer here making it a wholesome experience. When it comes to biodiversity, flora, fauna, fruits, and vegetable selection Himachal Pradesh is a haven.
Owing to its weather conditions, location, soil laden with minerals, and the utilization of organic manure by the local farmers, fruits of Himachali Pradesh are different from the rest of India. They have a different taste and are not easily available on the plains which make these fruits absolutely delectable and a must-try. Here is a list of fruits that you can relish during your vacation on the Hills:
Kaphal/Kafal
These little wildly occurring berries are maroon and reddish in color which can be seen sold at street vendors in large scale. Going by the scientific name of Myrica Esculenta the fruits is also present in the form of bushy trees or large shrubs primarily on the northern Indian hills including parts of Nepal and southern Bhutan as well. These local berries are deliciously edible and consumed on a local basis as it cannot be grown or even transported to the plains regions as it runs the risk of tuning bad during transportation itself. On first looks, it looks round in shape like a typical berry but on closer look, it’s shaped like an ellipsoid with its color-changing as it matures.
What It Tastes Like – Sweet / Sour
Where To Find – Higher elevations of Himachali Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and North East India.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate is one fruits that can be found literally anywhere in India but the pomegranate growing on the hills tastes very different from its other counterparts. Its plant grows up to a height of about 5 to 10 Metres and is defined by its bushy nature which puts it in the family of shrubs. Punica Granatum is its scientific name and it is famously been cultivated throughout the north Indian landmass. Harvested generally during the months of September to February this delicious fruit boasts of containing essential vitamins and minerals which carries immense health benefits. T can be consumed as a whole or in the form of a juice. The pomegranates grown on the hills of north India are so good that they are exported all over the world.
What It Tastes Like – Tangy / Sweet
Where To Find – Very prominent in the lower belt of Kullu district
Apricot
This delicious fruit can be found largely in Himachali literally anywhere on the hills. Also referred to as the Armenian plum (owing to its place of origin) these delectable fruits are somewhat like the face of the state. Apricots are grown for commercial purposes on the northern hills of India to parts of UP, Ladakh, and even Jammu Kashmir. Dried apricots can be found easily in the dry temperate regions of Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti. Along with being delicious apricots found in Himachali are rich in vitamin A, phosphorus, proteins, carbohydrates, and niacin. A good apricot produce takes place over and elevation in between 900-2,000 Metres above sea level. Although rich loamy well-drained soil is preferred but being a hardy fruit by nature it is also grown successfully in the dried well-drained less fertile soils as well, the only thing that matters is the cool climate.
What It Tastes Like – Sweet / Citrus-Y
Where to Find – Shimla, Kangra, Lahaul, and Spiti
Aroo
Scientifically known as Prunus Mira, this delicious Himachali locally grown fruit which is also famous across the globe. It is also referred to as the smooth stone peach or smooth pit peach which also locally goes by the name of Behmi or Tirul and has found its home on the foothills region of the Himalayas as well as the Tibetan plateau, typically on an elevation of 2,600-3,000 Metres above sea level but can also be found up to an elevation of 2,000-4,000 Metres above sea level. Everything about the fruit is utilized for consumption purposes for example the locals, use it to make pickles, jams, or other culinary delicacies, and even their seeds are used as a substitute for almonds. Oil is also extracted from the seed and used as hair oil or cooking oil.
What It Tastes Like – Tangy / Bitter
Where To Find – All over Himachali Pradesh (including lower and upper regions)
Kala Hisalu
Going by the scientific name of Rubus Niveus and also known as heartleaf raspberry, this delicious fruit is also found on the hills of the Himalayas ranging from Pakistan to Sikkim. This fruit plant can be traced to the wild forests regions, growing on ravines adorning the elevations of 1,500-3,200 Metres above sea level. The height of these shrubs can grow up to 3 Metres in height and bears fruits colored dark purple to red and maroon depending on the stage of growth. This fruit is grown and consumed widely by the locals but when compared with other fruits it has no match to the apricots grown on the hills of Himachali. It is generally considered to be a wild berry that has not gotten the commercial value as the other fruits growing in Himachali and can only be found in the wild.
What It Tastes Like – Sweet / Sour
Where to Find – Wild forested regions of Himachali Pradesh
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