Do try ‘falsa’ if you have not already done so!

Islamabad
Seeing Falsas in the market, an expatriate was curious about the berry and wanted to know what it tastes like, so the vendor gave her some to try but obviously she was hesitant about putting the unwashed fruit in her mouth. We tried explaining, rather enthusiastically, what it was like. In the end she took some home and said she would come back for more if she liked them.
So exactly what is 'falsa' or 'phalsa' as some people like to spell it? There is no English version of the name but the botanical name is Grewia Asiatica. It is indigenous to Southeast Asia but has also been naturalised in Australia and the Philippines.
It is a small tree that grows to a height of 15 to 20 feet and bears tiny reddish purple fruits which resemble blueberries or Acai berries. The tree fruits during the peak summer months of May and June each year. The berries are tart in taste -- somewhat like an unripe grape -- and highly perishable. They ripen in summer and are approximately the size of a small marble or even a pea.
These berries are said to have a cooling effect and are used mostly to extract juice but they are also enjoyed as a fruit -- that is if you do not mind the seed that nestles in the center, which is also like a grape seed, hard but edible. Some people chew them up but others spit them out saying they spoil the taste of the berry. Others sprinkle salt or a special, salty 'fruit masala' on the berries but this is inclined to cover the original taste so you cannot tell what it’s really like. And then there are those who cannot stand the taste of the berry altogether and consider it only fit for the birds to nibble on!
It is common knowledge that here in Pakistan, ‘falsa’ is used for its medicinal properties. It is known for its high levels of potassium; low levels of sodium, is rich in vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and fiber. The seeds contain palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids. The peel has the highest antioxidant activity followed by the pulp and then the seeds.
The fruits also offer radiation protection. The green berries are known to cure stomach aches, while the leaves are used to treat boils on the skin. Our hakim -- one who practices what is known as 'unani' (Greek) medicine -- confirms it is a great source of vitamin C and definitely has a cooling effect on the system, no denying the fact! No wonder ‘falsa’ juice is so popular these days in juice shops that are dotted around the cities. In the beginning of its season ‘falsa’ is expensive, but the price soon drops as more of the berries come into the market and then the rises again when they become scarce.
Information on this deciduous tree says it is drought tolerant and its leaves are used as animal fodder. In parts of Southeast Asia, the bark is used as a soap substitute and the wood, because it is flexible, is used in making long poles for carrying loads on the shoulder and in basket weaving.
So do try the berries if you have not already done so. Whether you like them or find the taste ‘strange,’ you can still have some for their health benefits!