Pehta Fruit – Name|Meaning|Cultivation|Benefits|Recipes

Pehta Fruit comes from the family of wild cucumber and resembles a tiny melon. Around 15-20 years back, it was a well-known crop, but these days it is losing its identity. 

Due to its tendency to grow randomly, people (farmers) used Pehta for quick refreshments. It is even used to make vegetables in many households.

This article lets us know all the basic details of Pehta fruit, its cultivation, benefits, and much more. So, let’s get started !!

Origin Of Pehta Fruit / What is Pehta Fruit

Origin of Pehta is from the family Cucurbitaceae.

Scientific Name– Cucumis Callosus

Species– melo and var. callosus/agrestis

It is commonly found in India, Malaysia, Australia, Africa, and few south Asian countries as well.

In Raw state, it tastes bitter. But after getting ripe, it tastes sweet and sour. Thus it can be consumed directly.

Where is Pehta found in India

It is mainly found in arid and rain shadow areas. Although due to its ability to adapt quickly, Pehta can be found in many more regions as well. 

It is mainly found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Maharashtra etc.

Several Names of Pehta Fruit in India

Pehta Fruit meaning in Hindi – 

In Hindi, pehta is known by several names like 

• Kachri
• Pehta
• Sendha
• Selni
• Gurari

Sanskrit names of Pehta–

Pehta is a very ancient crop. Thus, it has Sanskrit names as well i.e.

• Chitrakala
• Mriganshi

English Name of Pehta Fruit / Kachra Fruit – Wild Melon Cucumis Pubescens

Pehta Fruit meaning in Bengali– Bangaumukh

Pehta Fruit Meaning in Marathi-

• Takmake
• Selni
• Rondri
• Chimbhud
• शेलणी 
• Waluk

Regional names of Pehta

Rajasthan–

In Rajasthan, Pehta fruit is known as Kachri / Kachari / Kuchri or Kache.

But the most common is Kachri.

Gujrat – Kachari or Kachra

Bihar–

In Bihar, people call it Pehta. And due to its origin from Bihar, it is known by Pehta in Jharkhand too.

Chhattisgarh–

In Chattisgarh people call Pehta as – DEMU

Madhya Pradesh –

In Madhya Pradesh, it is consumed mainly in the tribal areas and is known as Kachra. In a few places, it is also called SANE.

Maharashtra-

It is known as Takmake and Shelni in Maharashtra.

Punjab – Chibbad

Cultivation of Pehta / Kachri crop

You would be surprised to know that kachri / Pehta crops were not cultivated purposely. Due to the wild growth nature, Kachri grew on a huge area surrounding the crops. Farmers used it as a refreshment and were never seen as a cash crop.

Although in later stages, people started cultivating it but on a very small scale ( mostly in Rajasthan ). 

Description of Pehta / Kachri Plant-

It resembles tiny yellow and green wild melons. The leaves of Pehta are somewhat triangular-shaped. Its flowers are yellow in colour and look exactly like any other climber plant i.e. cucumber/melon family but smaller in size.

Nutritional Value of Pehta fruit/Kachri

For Fresh Kachri

S.I.	Nutritional components of Raw  Pehta fruit (Kachri  Fruit)	Per 100g
1.)	Total Calories/Energy	47- 54  kcal
2.)	Fats	1.28 g
3.)	Fiber	1.21  g
4.)	Sugar	~ 0
5.)	Protein	0.28  g
7.)	Carbohydrate	7.45 g
8.)	Calcium	0.09  mg
9.)	Phosphorus	0.0029 mg
10.)	Iron	0.182 mg
11.)	Vitamin C.	29.81 mg
12.)	Copper	0.0046 mg
13.)	Cholesterol	~ 0 ( non fried/non-spiced )
14.)	Zinc	0.052 mg

For Dried Kachri Fruit/ Dried Pehta Fruit

S.I.	Nutritional components of Dried  Pehta fruit (Kachri  Fruit)	Per 100g
1.)	Total Calories/Energy	~ 45 kcal
2.)	Carbohydrate	63.68 g
3.)	Protein	1.28 g
4.)	Fibre	10.41 g
5.)	Vitamin C	17.02 mg
6.)	Iron	1.56 mg
7.)	Copper	0.45 mg
8.)	Fat	11.0 g
9.)	Minerals	12.50mg
10.)	Calcium	0.8 mg
11.)	Phosphorous	0.025mg

 

Note: Data from Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 15(3), July 2016, pp. 385-394

(ICAR- Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner)

Price Of Pehta Fruit

Cost of Fresh Raw Pehta phal ( Kachri ) – Rs. 20 to 50 per Kg (According to the quality and availability)

Cost of Dried Pehta phal ( Kachri ) – Rs. 150 to 200 per Kg (depends on quality and availability)

Cost of Dried Pehta Powder (Kachari) – Rs. 500 to 700 per Kg ( according to the quality )

Pehta/ Kachari Vegetable

Though it is termed as a fruit, Pehta/Kachari is consumed mostly as a vegetable before getting ripe. In Rajasthan, it is cooked as a vegetable and is also used to make pickles.

Kachari is a ubiquitous vegetable for the locals. And holds a significant part in Rajasthani Cuisine.

Recipes Of Kachari Vegetable

Pehta/ Kachari is a common ingredient of many food items. It is used as both vegetables, pickles, etc. Some of the food items prepared from Pehta/Kachari are-

• Pehta/Kachari ki Sabji
• Pehta/Kachri Pickle
• Dried Fried Pehta or Fried dry Kachari snacks
• Kachri Bhujia / Pehta Bhujia

Apart from being the sole ingredient of several recipes, dried Pehta/Kachri powder acts as key ingredients for many other recipes too, like-

• Meat Tenderiser
• Chicken Marination
• Tandoor Masala
• Barbeque Coatings

In Chhattisgarh, dried Pehta is used to extract “Demu Oil”. This oil is believed by the locals to have magical effects on skin-related issues like rashes, itching etc. It is also consumable and is used in the marination of non-vegetarian food items. 

Yellow Kachari flower/Pehta Flower is used to make “Pakoras” by coating them with Besan (Gram Flour) and deep-frying. It is served with several chutneys and tastes delicious.

Price Of Pehta / Kachri and Where to get them

Raw Pehta can be purchased from local vegetable stores. If you further need to buy dried kachri or Kachri powder follow the links below –

Pehta fruit benefits 

Pehta Fruit has an abundance of benefits. It holds very high herbal medicinal properties. Thus, it has been used by the locals in many health-related issues. Some of its benefits are-

1. Immunity Booster– Pehta/Kachri is very High in Vitamin C, thus acts as an immunity booster.
2. Raw Pehta Fruit is a very good Moisturiser and cleanser for the skin as it is an excellent antioxidant.
3. It provides relief in the common cold.
4. The fresh Pehta/ Kachri fruit is used to treat skin irritation and burns.
5. It is very useful in promoting the appetite or assisting digestion.
6. Pehta Fruit is believed to have elements that help in kidney stones and other urinary related issues.
7. It has the property to remove constipation and aid better bowel movement.
8. It holds anti-inflammatory and analgesic value. Thus, it provides relief in stomach upset.
9. It is beneficial in treating prickly heat, bedsores, earache etc.
10. Pehta Juice is used as a tonic.

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Conclusion

Although having so many health benefits, Pehta Fruit is losing its identity. It should have been included in the list of Superfoods, but on the contrary, it is fighting for recognition. If we don’t consider Rajasthan, very few people even recognise this “Kachri”. 

It is considered as a food for the poor and is not even cultivated purposely in other parts of the nation outside Rajasthan. 

If Indian farmers of other places are well informed about Pehta Fruit, it can add an excellent commercial value in hot and arid areas. They are not even too costly if compared with other vegetables and Masala ingredients. This very fact can serve to be it’s USP in the market.

All their varieties- Raw, Ripped, Dried and Powdered can be used as a good source of income on a large scale. We must come forward to promote it and make others informed about its commercial value, benefits and medicinal properties so, that it could gain massive recognition just like any other Superfoods.

I hope you liked this article. If you find it helpful share and comment below. Let me know if I forgot to mention any fact. Stay tuned for more such information and posts on food and travel. 

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