Chinese Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi)

Family: Sapindaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Other common names include Soapberry, Soapnut Tree, and Soap-nut Tree of North India. Chinese Soapberry, Sapindus mukorossi, is a fast-growing tropical deciduous tree native from India to Japan that grows about 10-20m tall. Its bole is straight, cylindrical, and can be up to 60cm in diameter. The flowers are small, white and occurs in large panicles. The fruits are smooth and yellow to orange.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Berries, Fruit, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweets, known as 'rasgullas'. — The seeds are crushed and boiled to make a liquid that is added to certain kinds of Indian milk sweets, known as 'rasgullas'.; This adds a frothy quality to the dessert.; The seeds have been used to bleach cardamom seeds, this treatment is reported to improve the flavour as well as the colour of the spice.

Habitat & North American Range

Open rocky places at elevations of 600 - 1,300 metres in Nepal. (Zone 8)