The Indian subcontinent is a highly varied landmass, home to nearly every type of landform on earth, from snow-covered Himalayan peaks and Thar Desert dunes, Gangetic plains and Gangetic grasslands to beaches, seashores, forests, and plateaus.
Fruits make an irresistibly delightful addition to any diet, with their varied textures and tantalizing tastes delighting the senses while providing essential nutrition.
Mango
Mangoes are seasonal summer fruits that provide numerous health benefits. Though famously sweet, mangoes also boast anti-gastrointestinal issues and weight loss aid benefits while being rich in vitamin C, which strengthens immunity systems. Alphonso, Kesar, and Langra mango varieties can all be found commercially available to purchase in stores today.
Oranges begin appearing in stores once autumn winds down, packed with ascorbic acid – a natural source of Vitamin C essential for warding off scurvy and strengthening immunity. Oranges can be eaten raw, juiced, or added to smoothies.
Apples are another seasonal fruit popular in India, known for their cooling properties, which help lower high blood pressure and improve eye health, as well as being high in dietary fiber and antioxidants. Custard apples are another common rainy-season fruit packed with iron for immunity-enhancing properties and are often seen during their harvest period.
Watermelon is a delicious fruit that can be found throughout India during the summer season in many fruit markets. Watermelons contain abundant amounts of Vitamin A, which contributes to eye and skin health, and are packed with folic acid and soluble fiber that may help prevent kidney stones and constipation.
Papayas are one of the world’s most beloved tropical fruits and an integral component of any balanced diet. Packed full of essential vitamins and minerals while remaining low-calorie, they make for an excellent source of fiber to aid digestion and weight loss. Papayas can be found throughout the year but reach their peak during the summer season.
Guava
Guava is an exotic fruit grown throughout India in backyard gardens and vast orchards, and enjoyed as a delectable summertime treat – be it as an ingredient for smoothies, juice, dessert or eaten as is! Guava contains Vitamin C, which can boost immunity.
Ripped guava fruit features a soft texture and a pleasant fragrance, with pale green or yellow skin and dense and sweet flesh insides. Guava provides vitamin C, potassium, thiamin, and fiber-rich nutrition and has even been known to lower cholesterol levels and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Guava trees are easy to cultivate in tropical and subtropical climates, benefitting from propagation through seeds, cuttings, or grafting. Their highly frost-resistant nature means they can be planted either directly in the ground or in container gardens.
To select a ripe guava, look for one that yields slightly to pressure. A perfect specimen should feel firm to the touch with an inviting aroma; its skin should also be smooth without any visible scars or marks. If in doubt about its ripeness, place it in a paper bag along with already-ripened fruit such as bananas or apples containing ethylene gas; this will speed up its ripening. Alternatively, freezing will extend its shelf life up to eight months – or use it as an ingredient in jams and jellies!
Papaya
Though fruits can be found year-round at your supermarket, selecting seasonal ones grown locally is often healthier and supports local businesses while reducing your carbon footprint. Furthermore, seasonal varieties often boast more flavorful and nutritious fruit options.
Indian summertime brings with it an abundance of fresh fruits to use in refreshing smoothies, lassis, and raitas. Popular fruits include mangoes, watermelons, peaches, and pears, which contain plenty of antioxidants and vitamins for improved immunity.
India loves their mangoes during summertime, and there are numerous varieties to choose from: Alphonso, Himsagar, Chausa, Kesar, and Langra are just a few you might encounter at the market during this season.
Guavas are another favorite summertime fruit available in Indian markets and gardens alike, from backyard orchards to large commercial operations. Guavas provide essential Vitamin C to prevent scurvy and maintain immunity levels, and iron for fighting anemia and encouraging healthy development in children.
Oranges have become an autumn fruit market mainstay. Packed full of ascorbic acid – known to prevent scurvy and regulate blood sugar levels – oranges also boast ample fiber that aids digestion and promotes regular bowel movements.
Plums are another winter fruit packed with antioxidants and vitamins A, B6, and C that can help support digestive health while also increasing immunity. Plus, they make for great snack options! This fruit provides vitality while potentially lowering risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention.
Plum
Plums are related to apricots, peaches, and nectarines but offer more varieties. From yellow, orange, and red hues, large to small sizes are available – plums contain an abundance of anti-oxidants such as potassium, calcium, and vitamin C, along with being diabetes friendly in moderation – not forgetting being packed full of fiber and iron for good measure!
Winter fruits are a popular choice because they help your body cope with cold weather and remain hydrated, as well as improve immunity and boost mood. To maximize their effectiveness, consume them fresh to ensure that your immune system stays strong and healthy.
Summer brings with it an abundance of tasty fruits that are both sweet and healthy, ideal for creating a nutritional diet plan. Plus, these treats contain vitamins and minerals which may benefit both skin and hair health!
Autumn or fall in India is one of the most stunning times to experience its beauty, as farmers harvest an array of seasonal and nonseasonal fruits like melons, guavas, papayas, bananas, and pomegranates from farmers across India.
Apples have long been associated with good health. Packed full of antioxidants and offering numerous health benefits, apples can help people lose weight, lower cholesterol, fight cancer, and maintain a healthier diet. They’re also great sources of fiber and vitamin C – ideal ways to promote the well-being of both you and your family! If you want a way to keep them energized throughout the year.
Orange
Oranges are one of the most beloved citrus fruits in India, enjoying great popularity during wintertime, and are widely available across fruit markets. Not only are oranges delicious, but they provide numerous health benefits too – rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants to support immunity; you can savor them alone or turn them into juice or smoothies; they’re even an excellent source of fiber and essential dietary minerals!
Kinnow oranges are an extremely high-yielding mandarin hybrid variety grown in Punjab and Haryana, known for their sweet and tart flavor and thin, easy-peel skin – which only adds to their allure! Plus, they contain plenty of vitamin C as well as being an excellent source of folic acid!
Mudkhed oranges are another variety of orange that is widely grown in Maharashtra. These medium-sized fruits feature bright orange hues that make them visually appealing, and they boast both sweet and tangy flavors unique to their soil and climate. Mudkhed oranges play an integral part in local economic and agricultural practices, and they are famous for fresh consumption or juicing purposes.
Khasi blood oranges are an exquisite variety of orange fruit grown in northeast India’s Meghalaya region. Highly prized for their deeply red or maroon flesh that lends unique flavors to drinks and dishes alike, these special oranges also provide ample vitamin C as well as other vital minerals.
When purchasing fruits and vegetables, local products are always the ideal choice. Not only will this support your local economy, but you will find a much wider variety of delicious seasonal fruit available to purchase locally.
