Bilimbi

Bilimbi is a small tree of the wood-sorrel family that bears clusters of extremely sour, cucumber-shaped green fruits directly on its trunk and branches. Native to Indonesia, it is now common in home gardens across Kerala and coastal South India, where it is called irumbanpuli.

The fruit is widely used in Kerala cooking, pickles and chutneys for its sharp sourness. In household practice it is traditionally valued as an appetising fruit that supports digestive comfort, and the fresh fruit is the part used.