Love apples: Why this lesser-known juicy summer fruit deserves more attention than it gets

Mouthful of juicy, sweet and crunchy bits, ‘love apples' or water apples as they are most popularly known are one of the most underrated fruits during the summer. The lesser-known fruit, unfortunately, often gets lost in translation as people confuse them with apples due to the homonym. However, there is a lot more to the fruit than just being called ‘love apples' or ‘jaams' colloquially in Mumbai. The fruits are usually available in light green, red or pink colours and are extremely juicy and refreshing due to its high amount of water content. They are often eaten plain, as most people including this writer remember gorging on them while growing up in Mumbai. While not everybody had the luxury of the tree, many afternoons were spent plucking them off the trees from neighbour's gardens, only to be chased by them while managing to balance the spoils in your T-shirt that acted as a makeshift basket. But beyond those summer days, why isn't the fruit as popular as mangoes during this time of the year?

Every year, Indians boast of mangoes and the many dishes that are made by every community around the country. While they are sweet and savoury and delicious, they manage to always take the spotlight as watermelons and other fruits also find their way on the menu. However, there is not much mentioned about the humble yet brightly coloured love apples or water apples as they are more popularly known in different parts of the city and country. In fact, this writer has hardly seen them on menus of the city. Even if they are there, they aren't boasted about like the royal yellow fruit but there are still Mumbaikars who make them most of them as soon as they appear in their gardens.

Making smoothies and wine in Mumbai
Growing up in Mumbai, Jean Dsouza remembers spending her childhood enjoying the fruits to the fullest. She reminisces, "It is a tropical summer fruit that is grown in practically every fifth village home. During my teenage years, we would climb this slender tree carefully and pick the fruits without dropping them." The Mumbaikar who now lives in Borivali grew up in Uttan and visits the northern village often after retirement now and gets a bountiful produce of love apples every year. In fact, she is one of many Mumbaikars who make the most of the fruit during this season as they not only eat it plain but do much more with it.

For starters, the 58-year-old baker who loves to cook says she takes it a step further. She shares, "Besides freshly cutting and serving them, I also use them while making a smoothie. Following the method that is used for any fruit or grape wine, I also use them to make wine by fermenting them first and then extracting wine out of it." While she hasn't been able to make the wine this year, the Borivali-based baker says she is definitely going to make a batch of it next May to enjoy at home.

Interestingly, this writer hasn't seen the fruit being used widely across restaurant menus in the city, especially since the wave of curating seasonal menus from fruits and vegetables took more than a decade ago if not more. While mangoes often find themselves on the menus in different sweet and savoury dishes, and even standalone menus, the love apples are hardly seen but Dsouza suspects that is because of one reason only. "This is a seasonal fruit. However, the shelf life is day or two because after that they get soft. It is also why their usage is restaurants may be limited because storage is not advisable as love apples lose their firmness and taste."

Beyond the gardens and into restaurants
MasterChef Mohammed Shahnawaz at ITC Grand Central in Parel agrees with Dsouza as he says the perishability factor may often be a deterrent for chefs to make use of the fruit in their dishes. Apart from its low shelf life, the consistency in quality of the fruit may also discourage chefs as that often depends on how and where the fruit is grown. It is no wonder then when the Mumbai chef says the team uses love apples to make something as simple as a delicious smoothie along with bananas, spinach, Greek yogurt, honey, and almond milk. He explains, "Love apples provide a refreshing, hydrated base with a mild sweetness that complements the other fruits and greens, creating a healthful and delightful smoothie." Apart from its mild sweetness, Shahnawaz says the fruit has a floral taste that brings out a refreshing flavour in the dish.

At the city-based five-star property, the Mumbai chef says they prepare love apple-infused dishes on a request basis only and not frequently, and that is evidently due to the lack of awareness. "The response from diners has been very positive. Many guests are intrigued by this less common fruit and appreciate the unique texture and flavour it brings to our dishes. They often comment on the refreshing quality of love apples and enjoy discovering new and innovative ways to enjoy them," adds the chef, who believes that the fruit hasn't been used to its full potential yet in the city and India.

Till then, lovers of the fruit can find happiness that it is at least appearing on some menus in the city and is being used in different ways. Elsewhere, Arun Kumar, executive chef at Araiya Hotels and Resorts Palampur in the hills also makes use of love apples in a variety of ways. He shares, "Love apples sustain for a very short time with freshness intact, so we preserve it in a number of forms like jams, dehydrated slices for garnishes, blanched wedges deseeded for later use, its puree form for making cordials or accompaniment for love apple-flavoured beverages."

As most people using it may boast of the use of ripe love apples for their crunchy texture and sweetness, Kumar there exists a world beyond that. "The unripe green apple characteristically possesses a characteristically astringent flavour and hence is ideal for use in the preparations of pickles, curries and chutneys. Few of the other applications in food are love apple decadence, which is a water apple semifreddo made during summers and Dovie popsicles that are simply frozen puree of ripe love apples in stencils," he adds.

The very thought of love apples or rose apples, as he likes to call them, bring back sweet memories for Kumar from the first time he experimented with them. He shares, "I was serving as a junior sous chef when I tried this magical ingredient for the first time for making treacle tarts with candied rose apple, after the meal. Diners were pleasantly surprised by the unique flavour profile of rose apples, which offers a delicate sweetness with floral undertones. This surprise quickly turned into delight as they savour the refreshing taste and crisp texture of the fruit."

However, he believes that the fruit may be even lesser known to chefs because it is only grown in the tropical regions and the culinary experts may not know the taste often making them ignore the fruit for other popular fruits like berries, melons and stone fruit. A certain inability on how to select, prepare, and incorporate them into dishes may lead them to be hesitant but once these are addressed, it will encourage experimentation and creativity in the kitchen. Interestingly, he has observed that there is a growing interest for unique and exotic fruits and the water apples aren't far away from being explored not only for their culinary uses but also their added health benefits.

Breaking down its health benefits
The latter is true because there is more to love apples than what meets the eye. Garima Dev Verman, certified nutritionist with The Healthy Indian Project (THIP), which is a health literacy platform, says there are many health benefits that you can derive from the fruit, especially during summer. To put it simply, she explains, "Incorporating Love apples into your summer diet can provide a refreshing, nutritious boost while helping you stay hydrated and healthy."

Verman says the following benefits of eating love apples make them ideal for the summer:

Hydration: Love apples have high water content, making them excellent for staying hydrated during hot summer days. Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining bodily functions and overall health.

2. Rich in nutrients: These fruits are packed with essential nutrients such as vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and fibre. Vitamin C is particularly beneficial for boosting the immune system and promoting healthy skin.

3. Antioxidant properties: Love apples contain antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The antioxidants can also aid in skin protection against sun damage.

4. Low in calories: They are low in calories, making them a healthy snack option for those looking to manage their weight while still enjoying something sweet and refreshing.

5. Improved digestion: The fibre content in love apples aids digestion and helps prevent constipation. Good digestion is essential for overall health and well-being.

6. Cooling effect: These fruits have a natural cooling effect on the body, which can be particularly soothing during the hot summer months.

7. Heart health: The potassium content in love apples can help regulate blood pressure and support heart health. Potassium is important for maintaining electrolyte balance and proper muscle function.

8. Anti-inflammatory properties: The bioactive compounds in love apples have anti-inflammatory effects, which can be beneficial in reducing inflammation and promoting overall health.

In fact, breaking down the benefits for those who focus on the nutritional value, Verman says people can get a lot from love apples. "You get approximately 25-30 calories and around 90-93 per cent water, which aids in hydration; it also has the lowest number of calories compared to any other summer fruit. There are about 6-8 grams in carbohydrates that provide quick energy. It also has about 1-2 grams dietary fibre that helps to promote healthy digestion." Last but not the least, the city nutritionist says it has 3-6 grams of sugars that contribute to their natural sweetness. With a mix of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium, Iron, Potassium and Magnesium, it is the perfect fruit to indulge while the summer is still here.

Making the best use of love apples
With so many health benefits, how can people include them in their daily diet? While eating them plain is the easiest way, Verman says there is a lot more that you can do with it and Dsouza may have given some inspiration there to start with.

Verman says you can use love apples in the following preparations:

1. Fresh snacks: Simply wash and eat them fresh as a hydrating and low-calorie snack.

2. Salsas: Chop love apples and mix with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and a bit of jalapeno for a unique twist on traditional salsa.

3. Smoothies: Blend love apples with other fruits like bananas, strawberries, and a bit of yogurt or coconut water for a refreshing smoothie.

4. Juices and beverages: Blend love apples with a bit of water and a touch of honey to make a refreshing juice. They can also be added to iced tea or lemonade for a fruity twist.

5. Pickles: Pickle love apples with vinegar, salt, sugar, and spices for a unique and tangy treat. 6. Garnishes: Use thin slices of Love apples to garnish summer cocktails or dishes, adding both visual appeal and a refreshing crunch.

Suman Agarwal, nutritionist and founder of SelfCare by Suman, adds that a yummy and refreshing love apple smoothie can be made with love apple, cucumber, salt, lime, mint leaves, 1 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon curd. One can use the fruit to make a salad of love apples and mixed nuts. Cut them into slices, add pecan nuts, lettuce and honey lemon dressing.

While hydration is the most important factor during summer and Verman has highlighted that, Agarwal explains, "They are also known to be very cooling and good to consume if you suffer from fever." Beyond that, Agarwal says most people also face fungal infections due to sweating and that is where the summer fruit is perfect. "Love apples are rich in Vitamin A and C, which are great to fight fungal and bacterial infections and improves skin health."

Even though it has so many different benefits Verman says people aren't even aware about the fruit, and often confuse it with other fruits like apples when spoken about and taste as well. That they have limited use is also another factor for it being a lesser-known fruit.

On the other hand, Agarwal says, "Most people tend to miss eating this fruit thinking it's not nutritious and it's less tasty, so it's bought less, but this fruit has equally or more beneficial uses than other fruits." However, she cautions that other parts of the love apple plant like leaves and stem contains minute number of toxic substances (cyanide). However that shouldn't stop one from consuming the fruit to make the most of it this summer.