This month we’re highlighting Garcinia, a fruit which may be familiar if you make your own authentic curries or have tried an ayurvedic stomach remedy. We use this versatile ingredient to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness in our tea blends.
Introducing Garcinia
Garcinia, from the scientific name garcinia gummi-gutta, grows in the seasonally dry tropics of South and Southeast Asia. Goraka is the the local Sinhalese word for Garcinia in Sri Lanka.
With a ridged outside, the fruit looks like a small green or yellow pumpkin, but unlike pumpkins it grows on trees with glossy oblong leaves. The fruit varies from the size of a tomato to that of a grapefruit.
There are hundreds of species of Garcinia, including one which produces mangosteens, purple fruits with edible interiors which are popular in Asia.
Foodie facts
In cooking, Garcinia is used to add a sour note to curries and pickled condiments in Thailand and India. It is a particularly popular ingredient for fish curries in South India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.
The Garcinia seeds, which have a high fat content, have been uses as a substitute for ghee, the ubiquitous clarified butter used in Asian cooking. Their oil has also been used for making moisturisers and cosmetics.
Health benefits
The rind of Garcinia has been traditionally used to treat stomach complaints and to reduce inflammation.
There was a surge in interest in the fruit around a decade ago over claims the Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) in the rind may suppress appetite and even boost exercise endurance. However, its effectiveness as a weight loss aid has not been clinically proven.
How we farm Garcinia
We work with 34 organic small-scale farmers who sustainably produce Garcinia in Sri Lanka, many of whom tend the plants in their own home gardens. Some then dry the fruit using machines while others prefer the traditional method of spreading it under the sun.
Our Cranberry, Hibiscus & Rosehip blend
The leaves of organic Garcinia have an important supporting role in our Cranberry, Hibiscus & Rosehip blend.
This teams citrusy cranberry, fragrant hibiscus and sweet rosehip with Garcinia, lemongrass and ginger for a naturally caffeine-free tea.
Pleasing on both the eye and the nose, the resulting brew is bright red in flavour and has an intense flowery fragrance. The acidic notes of lemongrass and Garcinia help balance the sweetness for a well-rounded flavour.
Pick up this colourful blend as a whole leaf tea, in handy loose leaf pyramid tea bags or tea bag sachets in our online shop.
