False black pepper (Embelia ribes)

Family: Primulaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Other common names include False Black Pepper, Vidanga, Nainidang, and Vavding. Memory Improver or otherwise known as White-flowered Embelia (Embelia ribes) is a tropical bush or climbing shrub of usually 20-35 m long and 1-2 m tall. It has purple or red stalks. It is used in Ayurveda medicine. Dried seeds are powdered and used to kill tapeworms. Paste of the berries is used for skin conditions and headache.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour, the leaves can be used as a substitute for tamarind in soups and vegetable dishes. — Edible portion: Leaves, Fruit, Spice.; Young leaves and shoots - raw.; Often used as a side-dish with rice, when the leaves are usually mixed with other greens.; An acid flavour, the leaves can be used as a substitute for tamarind in soups and vegetable dishes.

Habitat & North American Range

Forest or at forest borders at elevations from sea level to 1,500 metres. (Zone 10)