Fruits, Ingredients

Do you know about the summer berry called Khirni / Rayan

Rayan

Khirni is synonymous with summer for me and even though I share a very love-hate relationship with Summer, I love it for all colorful vegetables and fruits like gavthi cucumbers, rose apples, etc this season offers.

Out of all those colourful fruits, today I am writing about a very interesting golden yellow wild berry called  Khirni or Rayan.

khirni

Scientific Name:

Manilkara hexandra

Local names of Khirni:

Ceylon Iron Wood, Milky Tree (English)

Khirni, Khhini, Rayan (Hindi/Gujarati);

Karni, Ranjana (Konkani/Marathi);

Ksheerni, Rajni (Bengali);

Krini or Palamunpala (Malayalam);

Hale, Hannu (Kanada);

Kanupala, Palai (Tamil);

Palechettu, Kirni (Telegu)

Availability:

Mainly grown in the regions of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, it is only available from early to mid-summer i.e. Around April-mid May though some vendors do sell those even until late May.

These berries are often sold by small vendors who sell purple Jamun, phalsa, or other wild berries in vata ie. small portion sizes, and rarely available online.

Appearance, Taste, and Texture:

These tiny one-seeded berries are oval in shape, around 2 cm long, bright yellow with a smooth surface. They are sweet to taste but leave a sticky after-feel in the mouth.

rayan

Nutritional Benefits:

Some of the research done on this fruit, states that it is a good source of antioxidants and hence has health benefits. It is said to cure fevers and heal skin infections and stomach ulcers but there isn’t enough research to support it. It also acts as an appetizer and aphrodisiac.

Apart from the fruit itself, even the leaves, bark, seeds, and seeds of these plants have medicinal and other uses making this tree valuable.

Culinary Use:

Normally Khirni is consumed as it is but it can be used in a variety of dishes like-

  • Jam
  • Milkshakes
  • Desserts.

Author: Aditi Prabhu

Nutritionist

21 Comments

  1. I stay in Hyderabad, I am looking for this fruit since 3 months, can I get this anywhere in Hyderabad or anyone help me to get the contact number of vendor, i can atleast ask them to send me a courtier. i need this one in some urgency.

  2. I am looking for Khirni seed since last 1 year but I can’t find it, I live in Patna, how can I get its seed?

      1. First I had this fruit when I was 7 year old in Aurangabad/ Daultabad in a Shrine , this fruit tree was there.
        We moved to Hyderabad next year and never saw that fruit but always remember of its taste. Now I am 70 years and found this Pune region has more of it in local market. Just type khirni and google it, you getall info

    1. Hi, i was searching for it for the last few years luckily i got it today @ 300/- per kg from a road side vendor as i was driving pass Mumbai’s Dadar West kabootar khana.
      stay safe stay blessed 😊

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