ISLAMABAD: The short-season and much awaited summer fruit `Falsa’ has arrived in the markets of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to allure the heat sticken people with its nutritional qualities.
The season of Falsa is started as it witnessed at many of the fruit markets, streets and chawks of the city. But now, Falsa is available at expensive rates not easy on the pocket of everyone. It is been selling at 250 per kg in the markets.
Falsa, is a fruit of the tree Grewia asiatica, The fruit is consumed for its cooling effect in summer as well as for its other health benefits. Falsa contain good levels of Potassium, rich in Vitamin C, Calcium, Phosphorus and fibre.
The seeds contain palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids.The fruit peel has the highest antioxidant activity followed by the pulp and then the seeds. The fruits also offer radiation protection.
A buyers at the city market said “This is the second time I am taking falsa home for my family,my children like it and I like to have falsa drink when I come back from work in hot afternoon.”
A vendor said “It is excellent to alleviate summer thirst and hot weather related problems.”
According to a health expert “Falsa contains anthocyanin flavonoids which are responsible to be protective against cancer.Falsa fruit and falsa juice have been used for centuries to treat liver and gall bladder problems.Falsa is such an amazing fruit that it protects the heart, purifies blood and regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”
“It also helps prevent cold and coughs and also relieves them if one gets a cold or cough.Falsa juice aids in relieving digestive problems like excess acidity and indigestion.Falsa juice aids in relieving digestive problems like excess acidity and indigestion. Falsa juice is also good for sunburn victims and those who suffer from a heat stroke” she added.
A falsa drink stall holder while sharing the recipe of drink told that “soak phalsa in water for 30 minutes.
Strain out the fruit.Mash the fruit and remove the seeds.Add ground cumin and rock salt to the water. Mix well,Chill and serve.”
