Kokam Butter, Goa butter
Garcinia indica

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

A slender tree. It grows 15 m high. The branches droop. The tree often has buttresses. The leaves are oval and red when young but become light green. They are 5-10 cm long. They are sword shaped and almost without a leaf stalk. They have 6-10 pairs of side veins. The flowers are small. The male flowers are in groups of 3-7 at the ends of branches. Flowers with both sexes occur singly. The fruit are round. The fruit are 2.5-4 cm across and dark purple when ripe. The seeds are embedded in a red acid pulp. There are 5-8 large seeds.

There are about 300 Garcinia species. The fruit are anti-oxidant. Other products such as skin care products are being developed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical tree. It grows in Karnataka, Maharastra, the Western Ghats of Kerala, West Bengal and Assam. It grows up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Colombia, India, Mauritius, Northeastern India, Reunion, South America, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit is dried and used for flavouring curries. It is used in jellies and syrups. They can also be eaten raw. The fat of the seeds is extracted and used as a butter substitute called Kokam. Kokam is used as a souring agent like tamarind. The fruit is eaten and used for drinks. The fruit peel is used as a spice.

The dried fruit are sold in markets. It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, seeds - oil, fruit, spice, leaves

How it is grown

It is difficult to propagate. It can be grown from seed.

The fruit are harvested when ripe. The rind is used. It is preserved by drying in the sun. In southern India fruit are available November to February.

Its other names

Local names

Amsol, Baddupuli, Bhinda, Bhiran, Bhirand, Brindonia tallow tree, Cocum, Conca, Katambi, Kokam, Kokan, Kokum, Komkabi, Mangosteen oil tree, Murgal, Murgala, Punampuli, Ratamba, Sentola tilaba, Vishambil

Synonyms

Brindonia indica Thouars;