Rich fruits of Pakistan

With the UAE just four hours away from Pakistan by flight, bilateral exports are recording an upward trend. Among these, perishable goods, notably fruits are highly sought after by the local market, and manufacturers take great pride in providing the best bounty the country has to offer. Each export adheres to the stringent regulations provided by the UAE and aims to give expatriates and citizens the true taste of home.

Here are some fruits to try:

Mangoes
As the season of Pakistani mangoes thrives from May to August, the UAE sees heavy imports of the fresh fruit with varieties such Sindhri, Chaunsa and Anwar Ratol, to name a few, in the market. According to statistics, traders in Dubai alone import 2.5 million crates of mangoes are worth $6 billion and have a 32 per cent share of the fruit market in the UAE. Mangoes are so well-loved in the UAE that exporters are turning to e-commerce platforms to improve their reach. Pakistani mangoes are ideally chilled before consumption and highly prized for their rich succulent flesh and sweet flavour. It is also a key ingredient in Pakistani cuisine, with a prominent presence in milkshakes, pudding, salads and even as condiment.
Kinnow
Not to be confused with a mandarin, the kinnow is a citrus fruit native to the Punjab province in Pakistan. It is enjoyed for its high juice content, which is high in Vitamin C, and the skin is easy to peel. Its first recorded shipment from Pakistan to the UAE was in 2011 where 56 tonnes of the fruit reached its shores. The monsoon season in Pakistan is what gives the kinnow fruit its rich appearance and taste.

Phalsa
Another fruit native to Pakistan, Phalsa or Falsa is an exotic summer fruit that blooms in clusters from April to June. Its purple-red round appearance is much like a blueberry, except its large varieties have hard seeds, and small ones are single-seeded. The sherbet berry features a vibrant taste - a sweetness paired with sour notes - and can be found here in grocery stores that specialises in Pakistani products across the UAE. The fruit is commonly found in syrup form and used to make refreshing beverages. It can also be churned into a condiment or pickle.

Jamun
Known as a miracle fruit in Pakistan, the Jamun is a sweet juicy bounty that has a number of medicinal properties, including digestion aid and benefits for diabetic patients. It also helps get rid of a number of urinary diseases such as kidney stones, regulates heartbeat and stops diarrhoea. The black-purple fruit is grown in tropical conditions, and when can be savoured on its own with a bit of salt, or used in preparing vinegar, jellies, jam, beverages, and pickles.
- farhana@khaleejtimes.com