Hog Plum
What is it?
Hog plums are the fruit of the Spondias Mombin tree of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Green in colour and oval in shape, they often resemble a raw mango. Green hog plums are sweet and sour to taste. Once ripened, the fruit develops a sweeter taste and turns yellow.
What other names does it have?
Regional Names: Ambade (Konkani), Amatekaayi (Kannada), Ambazhanga (Malayalam), Amṛa (Bengali), Aamrata (Assamese)
When is it in season?
Where is it found?
Hog plum is widely found in southern and eastern India, in sandy and loamy soil with good drainage. They require a warm tropical and subtropical climate to grow, with ample sunlight being crucial for a good yield.
What is its history/cultural significance?
While hog plums are native to the tropical Americas, they have been naturalised in India through Portuguese colonisation in the 17th century. They are used as a souring agent in curries and stews, eaten raw, or turned into pickles. In coastal India, the fruit is closely tied to pre-monsoon and monsoon food habits, as it is gathered and found in markets during this season. In traditional medicine, its flowers and leaves have been used to make tea to cure ailments like stomach aches. The bark is also valued for its astringency.
How can you use it?
The flesh of hog plums can be eaten raw—a popular street-side snack served with salt and chilli powder. The fruit is commonly made into a variety of pickles. It can also be used in savoury dishes like curries and stews as a souring agent after boiling or simmering in the liquid of the dish.
What states can I find it in?
What parts of the plant are edible?
Leaves, flesh, flower, bark
Is it nutritious?
Hog plums are a good source of vitamin C and potassium, as per this study. The fruit contains carotenoids, which support eye health, as well as Vitamin K and antioxidants.
How do you store it?
Whole hog plums can be stored in a cool, dark place. Ripe hog plums should be refrigerated and used within 3-5 days. For long-term storage, hog plums can be made into a pickle and
Stories:
A sour companion: The hog plum has much to offer, if people get past its strong taste, DownToEarth
An article exploring hog plums and the benefits of sour foods.
Ambada | OOO Farms
Recipes:
Amra Chutney (Two Ways) Recipe by Sayantani Mahapatra Mudi
Ambadyanchi Kadi by Shireen Sequeira
‘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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