Khirni
What is it?
Khirni, the fruit of the Manilkara hexandra tree, is small, oval-shaped, and yellow when ripe, has a soft, sweet pulp, and a slightly astringent skin. Each fruit contains one or more hard, shiny seeds. It has a mild, pleasant aroma and a texture that becomes creamy as it ripens. Though modest in size, khirni is packed with flavour and nutrition. The fruit comes from a medium-sized, evergreen tree with a wide canopy. Valued for its economic and medicinal benefits, Khirni continues to play an important role in the diets and livelihoods of many tribal communities across India.
What other names does it have?
Botanical Name: Manilkara hexandra
Regional Names: Khirni, Rayan (Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati), Palai (Tamil), Palechettu (Telugu), Karni (Konkani), Khiri (Odia), Krini, Palamunpala (Malayalam), Rajni (Bengali)
When is it in season?
Where is it found?
A hardy tree well adapted to dry climatic conditions, Khirni is found across most parts of India, except in temperate zones. It grows particularly well in the southern, northern, and central regions of the country. This resilient species is especially valuable in arid and semi-arid areas, as well as in resource-poor and degraded lands where most other crops struggle to survive. Khirni can tolerate both prolonged droughts and periods of heavy rainfall, demonstrating remarkable ecological adaptability. While it can grow in a range of soil types, it thrives in deep, well-drained loamy soils. Its widespread distribution in sub- and semi-arid tropical regions reflects its ability to thrive with minimal water, often in areas receiving as little as 350 to 800 millimetres of annual rainfall. Source.
What is its history/cultural significance?
Khirni, also known as Rayan, is a valuable fruit tree from the Sapotaceae family, believed to have originated in India, according to this research paper. It is a tropical species known for its economic and medicinal significance, offering both nutritional value and livelihood support to local tribal communities in regions such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of southern India. In India, Khirni is commonly grown in backyards, homestead gardens, public parks, and farmers’ fields, owing to its adaptability and the high demand for its fruit. Cultivation is particularly concentrated in the drier regions of the country. The fruit is often gathered by local communities and sold in nearby markets.
How can you use it?
Wash the Khirni thoroughly to remove any dirt. Each fruit contains a single hard seed; and the skin is to be peeled off as it could be astringent for some. The pulp can be eaten fresh as a refreshing snack. It can be used to make jams, pickles, and even incorporated into desserts and chutneys.
What states can I find it in?
What parts of the plant are edible?
Fruit.
Is it nutritious?
Khirni is rich in iron, minerals, sugars, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin A. Source
How do you store it?
When refrigerated, Khirni can be stored for up to a week. Khirni can also be stored for longer if sun-dried and stored in a cool, dark place.
Recipes
Khirni Milkshake Recipe by Nigam Cuisine
‘Know Your Desi Ingredients’ is an ever-expanding repository of knowledge for ingredients that are native to the Indian subcontinent and adapted into the mainstream culinary narratives of people, places, and cultures across India. If you would like to share more information about the write-ups featured here, send us an email at connect@thelocavore.in with your inputs and any verified sources we should look into.
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