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Kokum (Garcinia ondica)is a fruit tree in the mangosteen family of Clusiaceae. It is indigenous to the Western Ghatsregionof India, and can be found growing in forest lands, riversides, and wasteland. It is easy to grow and does not require irrigation, spraying or fertilizers. Kokum has culinary, pharmaceutical, and industrial uses.
Garcinia indica is known as Amsol/Aamsul, Bindin, Biran, Bhirand, Bhinda, Bhrinda, Brinda, Kokum/Kokam, Katambi, Panarpuli, Kudam Puli, or Ratamba in India. Garcinia indica is known in English as the wild mangosteen, mangosteen or red mango. It is known as Goraka in Sinhala and used to preserve fish in dry sour curry in Sri Lankan cooking.
Kokum is used as a substitute for tamarind in curries and other dishes from Konkan. It is used as a slightly sour spice in recipes from Maharashtra that yields peculiar taste and dark red colour. In Kerala, it is an essentail ingredient of traditional fish dishes.
Kokum seed contains 23-26% of oil, which is solid at room temperature. The oil is used in the preparations of confectionery, medicines and cosmetics. Kokum juice is effective against allergies due to bee bites and other insect bites.
