Uguressa (Ramontchi)

Uguressa Fruits

Botanical Name; Flacourtia indica (Burmm.f) Merr.

Local Names;     Uguressa ; Sinhala           Uhurassa ; Tamil

Recommended Varieties
  • Local cultivars

Nutritional Value
  • Rich in Vitamin C

Medicinal Value/Uses
  • Unripe fruit: Good for rheumatic pain
  • Ripe fruit: For rheumatic disorders
  • Seed: Cures rheumatic pain

Storage
  • Keep the fresh fruits at room temperature (25 – 30 0C), where it can be kept for 3-4 days

Why are they unique?

Most Uguressa in the World have a sour mix sweet taste; so do those grown in Sri Lanka. Uguressa contain high amount of polyphenolic compounds which has antioxidant abilities. Therefore they are good for prevention of cancers. Currently Uguressa is naturally grown in entire Sri Lanka except very high elevation. They are highly adapted to Dry Zone climate and can be grown in drought conditions. Almost all the varieties of Uguressa are very sweet and sour taste and have special texture, flavor and aroma.

Potential for Uguressa fruit processing industry

Uguressa fruit processing industry in Sri Lanka is still not properly developed. However, Uguressa can be used to produce different value added products such as pickles. These value added products can be produced by either cottage level or large scale level. In addition to that research and development activities should initiate to identify maturity index for different types of Uguressa, storage methods, environmental and consumer friendly ripening methods, development of value added products with enhanced shelf life and preserve nutritional quality etc.

Reference
  • Tropical fruits of Sri Lanka, Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka

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