Deepa Dwivedi, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Plant Science, Ambedkar University, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, has sent us this interesting factsheet on barhal (Artocarpus lakoocha), a poorly known tree of the humid sub-Himalayan regions of India with edible fruits of an intense yellow color, and peculiar taste reminiscent of citrus. The genus Artocarpus is well-known for the pantropically distributed breadfruit (A. altilis) and jackfruit (A. heterophyllus), but the genus contains some 50 species, several of which are used for their edible fruits. Here in Malaysia, cempedak (A. integer) is a common sight in supermarkets. Cempedak fruits combine the texture of jackfruit with hints of durian flavour.
Prof Dwivedi describes the food and medicinal uses of barhal, and has identified factors that have possibly constrained the wider use of the species. The tree has comparatively low yields, its fruits are highly perishable and are irregularly shaped, which is said to result in poor market acceptability. We look forward to further research to address how these constraints can be overcome: perhaps through the selection of superior genotypes with better yield and fruit types, or convenience products with better shelf life? Apologies to Prof Dwivedi for the delay in posting her very interesting material!
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Dear Madam,
indeed your adicle is informative
my grandmother is very fond of barhal, would be thankful to you if you can share further info. like seasonality and availability of barhal… since i am not able to get this fruit here in new delhi..
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thanking you in antic
Sometimes life gives those lovely gifts when you most needed and least expected. Your article is just that for me. Any further detail will be highly appreciated. My email is email hidden; JavaScript is required
As a child I was in total love and awe for this delicious fruit. Lately, I have been scouring the web to know more about it, now that I am in UK and haven’t seen one/ate one.
Call me mad if you must, but I plan to make my next visit to India timing it for this fruit to be available. I refer it as my Barhal Visit and my wife and daughters laugh at it.
An important point that I will like to make. Nature in its many mysterious ways have made few pleasures that are not replicable and portable. I would rather leave it that way. It makes every place unique.
Humble Barhal, in all your modesty, you have quietly succeded in that concept by just lying low. Well done, wait for me , I will come to you.