Ber Apple Green Fruit Plant (Ziziphus mauritiana)

Ber Apple Green Fruit Plant (Ziziphus mauritiana)

A Resilient Tree Offering Crisp Fruits, Medicinal Power, and Year-Round Benefits

The Ber Apple Green Fruit, botanically known as Ziziphus mauritiana, is a hardy, drought-tolerant deciduous tree native to arid and tropical regions of South Asia. This underappreciated yet invaluable plant bears fruits that are not only delicious but also known for their high nutritional value and diverse healing properties. Commonly referred to as Indian Jujube, Chinese date, or Korean ber, this tree has found a place in both rural backyards and botanical collections across India, China, Pakistan, and parts of Southeast Asia.

At Veliyath Gardens, we bring you the rare green variety of the Ber fruit—crisp, white-fleshed, and filled with wholesome goodness. Let’s explore why this low-maintenance, high-reward fruit plant deserves a prominent spot in your garden.

Regional and Local Names

• Common English Name: Ber Apple Green Fruit

• Botanical Name: Ziziphus mauritiana

• Other Names:

  • India: Ber, Badari

  • China: Tsao

  • Pakistan: Jujube

  • Thailand: Phut-Saa

  • Indonesia: Bidara
    These names reflect the wide cultural integration and uses of this time-honored tree throughout the tropical belt.

Description of the Fruit and Plant

• The tree is a spiny, evergreen to semi-deciduous shrub or small tree that grows well in arid and semi-arid climates.

• The fruits are variable in size and shape—oval, oblong, or round—and turn green to golden as they mature.

• The skin is smooth and tight, with a glossy green surface, while the flesh is white, crisp, and juicy with a mildly sweet and refreshing flavor.

• It bears aromatic flowers and eventually produces abundant fruit when well-nurtured.

Taste Profile and Culinary Applications

• The fruit has a mildly tangy-sweet, apple-like taste that is both refreshing and subtly acidic.

• When fully ripe, it becomes softer and sweeter, with a date-like texture.

• Ways to Enjoy:

  • Eaten raw with a pinch of salt or chat masala

  • Used in pickles and traditional chutneys

  • Sun-dried and preserved as candied fruit

  • Cooked into syrups, jams, or healthy snacks

It is a perfect snacking fruit and also complements savory recipes with its unique sweet-sour balance.

Traditional and Cultural Significance

• In Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, Ber fruit and leaves are used for treating skin disorders, wounds, and fevers.

• In Indian temples, the Ber tree is symbolically linked to spirituality, with references in ancient epics like the Ramayana.

• In rural Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, it is considered a tree of prosperity and sustenance.

• Its dried fruits are often used during festivals, and its branches are used in herbal smudging rituals.

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses

This fruit is a nutrient-dense powerhouse, offering several health advantages:

• Rich in Dietary Fiber: Aids digestion, prevents constipation

• High in Potassium: Supports heart health and blood pressure regulation

• Contains 18 out of 24 essential amino acids: Promotes growth and muscle repair

• Vitamin C and A: Boosts immunity and improves skin tone

• Natural Antioxidants: Helps fight free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases

Additional therapeutic roles:

• Reduces anxiety and insomnia

• Supports weight loss and bone strength

• Used traditionally for blood sugar control and liver detoxification

• Improves memory and may offer protective effects against some cancers

Cultivation, Maintenance, and Growth

• Sunlight: Requires full sun

• Soil: Tolerates poor, sandy, or loamy soils; prefers well-drained earth

• Watering: Drought-resistant once established, though moderate watering during flowering/fruiting boosts yield

• Fruiting Time: Usually begins fruiting in 4 to 5 years

• Growth Pattern: Moderate growth with strong root system

• Pruning: Light pruning promotes bushier growth and higher productivity

Despite its resilience, the plant benefits from occasional composting and mulching to enrich the soil and retain moisture.

Preservation and Storage

• Fresh fruits last for several days at room temperature and up to two weeks in refrigeration.

• Dried fruits can be stored in airtight containers for months.

• Traditionally, the fruit is sun-dried and powdered for off-season use in tonics and Ayurvedic medicines.

Why Add Ber Apple Green to Your Life?

• The Ber Apple Green Fruit Tree is perfect for gardeners who want a tree that combines beauty, nutrition, and resilience.

• Its compact structure and charming fruits make it suitable for small gardens or large orchards.

• From health seekers to home chefs, everyone will find a reason to love this fruit.

• Its ability to grow in dry climates, coupled with its year-round value, makes it an ideal pick for sustainable gardens.

Bring It Home from Veliyath Gardens

At Veliyath Gardens, we carefully cultivate rare and beneficial tropical plants like the Ber Apple Green Fruit Tree. If you're looking to grow something unique, deeply rooted in tradition, and loaded with health benefits, this is the tree for you.
Let your garden reflect diversity, strength, and well-being.

Plant the Ber Apple Green Fruit Tree—and harvest health, taste, and tradition for years to come.