SHAHTOOT

The Year 2017 has been thus far  been simply amazing with surprising twists and turns to make anyone dizzy.

My sudden plunge into Political campaigning in the heart of Rural India ( please read an earlier post titled INDIAN COUNTRYSIDE) combined with to and fro visits to Operating theaters in Hospitals  and am literary gasping for breath.

The twister of a Political Ride took to me the Capital of Uttar Pradesh , Lucknow, where I spotted these spectacular Mulberry ( English) or Shatoot (Hindi) trees.

laden tree
Gorgeous Fruit Laden Tree

The juicy “Shahtoot” fruits brought upon a surge of nostalgia as I recall my Grandfather’s Garden which had so many kinds of  fruit which are now near impossible to find in any Fruit Market in the metropolis of New Delhi.

Black Mulberry ( English), Shahtoot ( Hindi) or Morus nigra ( Scientific name) is the name of this quaint and exotic looking fruit which many would not recognize in large cities today.

in all colours
Shades of Red to Black

I do recall collecting them in little cups made by folding the beautifully shaped green leaves of the Mulberry Tree. The dark black fruits ooze a Deep Wine Red Juice which would colour anything they touched.

fruit at joints
Bunch of Abbundance

The Shahtoot shares its origins and name from ancient Persia but is today found across the Indian Sub continent. Though for some inexplicable reason it is extremely difficult to find in any Fruit stall in India which are now laden with Kiwis and such fruits from far away lands.

bunch
Juicy  Fruits

Things are changing for sure and many aromas and tastes remain now merely as memories.

Enchanting fruits for my lovely readers who welcomed me back with warmth and affection.

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mukul chand

51 year old entrepreneur who has traveled extensively around the world for work and pleasure , is based in New Delhi, India. A passionate traveler born with a love for flora and fauna, is an active naturalist and amateur photographer. Here he shares his unique insight into Incredible India revealing its mysterious and exotic treasures. Writing from his heart he shares his experiences as he crisscrosses this vast and amazing land.

34 thoughts on “SHAHTOOT”

  2. Thank you Mukul Sir for I also recalled my childhood days with this post. Not far from Lucknow at a place called Barabanki, I and my friends collected fruits of Shahtoot. It was never less than a festival for us. It is the absence of this tree and fruit which make it much more nostalgic, as in with the passage of time these things are meant to fade away.

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    1. I wonder if it is the same species?? The British planted many Mulberry trees in India in the 18th/19th Century with a hope they are good for silkworms. Unfortunately for them they chose the wrong species.

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  6. We used to have a mulberry tree in the yard where we lived when my children were young. It was a very fruitful tree. Your post brings back fond memories of lifting them up to the branches to let them pick the berries, which would leave purple stains on the mouths and hands. But a little extra purple on the skin was so worth it. This is in Missouri, United States.

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  9. As children we loved this tree and it’s fruit. I feel sad that most children of today rarely climb this tree to get its delicious fruit.

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