Lapsi

Lapsi (Choerospondias axillaris) is a popular fruit tree that is found in Nepal and many other Asian countries. This deciduous tree can grow up to 20 meters tall and has smaller purple-brown branches. Its wood is strong and can be used in construction and the large fruit seeds are often used as fire starters and in medicine.

Use in foods, jams, and aachars

Nepalis have a long tradition of using Lapsi in a variety of dishes and preservatives. The Lapsi fruit is about 3 centimeters long, has a green-yellow skin, and is incredibly sour if eaten plain. Inside the fruit is a large seed that is segmented so that it looks like a star. To prepare the fruit, the skin is peeled, sometimes the seeds are also removed, and the fruit is mixed with salt, spices, or sugar to make various aachars. Lapsi aachar is often surprising as depending on how it is prepared it can be intensely sweet, salty, sugary, or spicy – it might be best to ask before trying so you know what to expect!
You can buy little packets of lapsi candy in most shops in towns and many larger villages that traders visit, but much less so on the higher trails – so stock up when you can

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