Grewia Asiatica is the botanical name of our favorite summer fruit, Falsa or Phalsa. Falsa belongs to the berry family, and people often mistake it for blueberries; they are close relatives but are not the same. In the family of Tiliaceae, only one genus, Grewia, yields edible fruit which is Falsa. It is native to Southern Asia, from Pakistan to Cambodia, and is also cultivated in many tropical countries. Falsa is a much awaited fruit by many people, in the summers. It can be used to make juices, syrups and sherbet to fight the heat and cool oneself. The fruit tastes a little acidic and sometimes sweet.
It has great medicinal uses as well; the fruit is astringent and stomachic. When unripe, it alleviates inflammation and is administered in respiratory, cardiac and blood disorders, as well as in fever. It is rich in vitamin C and is also a good source for anti-oxidants.
After much research, I’ve been able to find a detailed table on its food value; it’s low in sodium, low in fat and rich in Vitamin C.
Value per – 100 gm
Nutrients:
Water 80.8g
Energy 72 Kcal
Protein g 1.3
Total lipid (fat) g 0.9
Carbohydrate, by difference 14.7 g
Fiber, total dietary 1.2 g
Calcium, 129 mg
Iron, 3.1 mg
Magnesium, 72 mg
Phosphorus, 39 mg
Potassium, 351 mg
Sodium, 4.4 mg
Copper, Cu mg 0.12
Vitamins:
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid mg 22
Niacin 0.3 mg
Other:
Carotene, beta 419 mcg
*Values from Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Nutrition.
