Garcinia indica, a plant in the mangosteen family (Clusiaceae), commonly known as kokum, is a fruit-bearing tree that has culinary, pharmaceutical, and industrial uses. It grows primarily in India's Western Ghats: in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. Kokum is a small red or purple fruit that grows in the Western Ghats of India. It is dried and used as a souring agent in curries, dals, sherbets and more. Learn how to select, store and use kokum in various dishes. Kokum fruit whose botanical name is Garcinia indica has amazing health benefits and medicinal uses. Kokum juice, kokum butter and kokum sharbat all made from kokum fruit has amazing uses. From aiding weight loss, to treating constipation, acidity and skin rashes, it does have wide uses. In Ayurveda, kokum juice is used to balance pitta dosha. We use it as a body cooling drink in summer, since kokum fruit is full of antioxidants, consuming kokum juice is amazing for skin and hair too. What Is ... Kokum is also known as the “Indian Butter Tree” and is a fruit-bearing tree. All parts of Kokum i.e., (fruits, peels and seeds) have plenty of health benefits. The dried peel of the fruit is used as a flavoring agent in curries.
