Soap-nut tree of North India, Chinese soapberry
Sapindus mukorossi

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 10-20 m high. The leaves are 40 cm long. There are 5-8 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are 15 cm long. The leaf stalk has slight wings. The flowers are small and white and occur in large panicles. The fruit are smooth and yellow to orange and 2 cm across. They have a slight keel.

The nuts are used in medicine. The fruit are used as soap. The seeds are used as beads.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It is native from India to Japan. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, China (country/location of origin), East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plants contain saponins. The seeds are poisonous. The seed kernels are put under running water for about a week and then dried and made into flour for bread. The seeds are crushed and boiled to make a liquid which is added to milk sweets which gives a frothy quality to the dessert.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dodan, Dodani, Indian soapberry, Reetha, Reettha, Ritha, Soapnut, Thali

Synonyms

Possibly now Sapindus saponaria; Sapindus detergens Roxb.;