By mid-September, as autumn knocks on the doors of the Kullu Valley, a fruit called Persimmon quietly replaces the ubiquitous apple and Manali fruit stalls acquire a distinct orange-y hue. This fruit is called Persimmon Kaki in Japan and so, according the erstwhile world power due credit, Manali calls this round-and-tucked-in-around-the-sides-and-base orange-coloured fruit "Japani".
If ever a papaya (claiming descent from the mango family) fell in love with a guava (who was an apple from the mother's side), Japani is what their progeny would look and taste like. The shell boasts a waxy sheen and encases a just-right, not-too-ripe-not-too-soft pulp that tastes like (as just mentioned) a mango+a papaya+an apple+a guava rolled into one not-so-tiny fruit bursting with flavour.
For all its claims of a Japanese connect, though, its highly likely that the Japani fruit available in Manali is an Israeli variety called the Sharon Fruit. Israeli tourists have till recently made up the highest number of foreign visitors to Manali. Who knows which one of the Zohan-lookalikes brought along a few seeds/saplings and transplanted them in the Kullu Valley?! Whoever it was, Toedahrahbah, My Friend!
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| Japani or Persimmon Kaki a.k.a. Sharon Fruit sells for about Rs 80 per kg in Manali Bazaar |
