Karonda, the pickle berry

Karonda, the pickle berry K.L. Noatay Our planet has on its face millions of plants, trees, herbs and shrubs one or the other part of which is edible, even though it may not be considered standard food. Karonda is one such interesting Asian shrub, which, though a humble wild bush, bears tasty and edible berries. Asia has some 25,000 known plants having food value, which can a save man lost in the wilderness from famishing. …

…crops against cattle. Sheep, goats and camels browse on karonda foliage greedily. Its ripe berries are also eaten by humans, especially children. A paste of karonda root is used by villagers as a first-aid measure for healing small cuts and wounds. Regeneration: Karonda regenerates itself profusely out of the seed dispersed by birds. Research organisations are working on the species for better varieties. The fruit of the improved varieties is preserved as a tasty pickle.