7 Summer Fruits In India: Teach Your Child About Regional Produce

Introduction

With the official onset of summer, you began to feel extremely dehydrated and tired. During such a time, one of the best alternatives to deal with the heat is to modify one’s dietary options and look for food items that are cool, nutritious, and naturally hydrating. Just like any other season, summers in India bring a bounty of seasonal fruits that are refreshing and highly flavorful.

It is also essential for your child to know about the local produce of fruits in India to enhance their knowledge about the cultivation of these fruits and their nutritional value. Such fruits can be the perfect healthy snacks for your child. Moreover, a child with deep knowledge about different types of fruits may make more mindful health and dietary choices. Hence, in this article, you will learn about the different fruits produced in India during summer, their health benefits, and the common places where you can find them.

7 Summer Fruits Produced in India

Fruits in summer are one of the best aspects of the season. They are juicy, sweet, and highly nourishing for one's body. Here is a look at some of the top summer fruits produced in India.

• Mangoes

Summers in India are synonymous with mangoes. Several mangoes are found in India, such as Langra, Kesar, Safeda, and Dashehari. One of the best quality mangoes, Alphonso is widely grown in Maharashtra. Many other varieties of mangoes are grown in states like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. It's also important for you to teach your child about the nutritional benefits of mangoes. As per nutrients published in 2021, mangoes can be a substantial source of multiple vitamins for your child, along with offering high dietary fiber and magnesium.

• Muskmelon

Muskmelon is a sweet and refreshing fruit widely produced in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Other states such as Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh also produced musk melon. As per the Food Science & Nutrition published in 2019, muskmelon is power-packed with many bioactive compounds, vitamins A and C, and also has anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit your child. Moreover, you may also feed it to your child as an alternative to junk food while giving them something delicious yet suitable for the body.

• Watermelon

Watermelon is popularly known as the heart of summer fruit production in India. It is juicy, hydrating, sweet, and refreshing. One of the best aspects of watermelon is that it is a substantial natural hydration for your child and helps restore lost electrolytes. In India, you will find that the majority of the watermelon production happens in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. As per molecules published in 2020, having antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, watermelon may also reduce the risk of many chronic health diseases among kids and adults.

• Papaya

Papaya is yet another fruit that you can find abundantly available in India during summer. It is known for its dark orangish flesh and the tiny black-colored seeds in between. It is subtly sweet and good for your child's health because it is a strong source of vitamins, minerals, and hydration. In India, papaya is grown in different states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. As per biology published in 2021, papaya can also help with indigestion, strengthening bones, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.

• Plum

Also called Aloo Bukhara, the plum is a sweet and sour fruit with a bright reddish color. In India, plum cultivation is primarily done in hilly areas such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. As per JNS published in 2023, plums are a rich source of antioxidants. Additionally, feeding plums to your child may show some significant health benefits, such as improved digestion, immunity, and better management of blood sugar levels in the body.

• Cucumber

Although you may find cucumbers in almost all months of the year, the variety available during summer is refreshing and juicy. Cucumbers can be your favorite salad option to serve with main course dishes. It's a naturally hydrating fruit and can also make special detox waters for your child. In India, cucumbers are grown in different states like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and West Bengal. As per the Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber published in 2013, cucumber may also help in better weight management among kids and lower blood sugar levels.

• Jackfruit

Popularly known as Kathal in India, jackfruit is a multipurpose fruit used to make several savory dishes as well as consumed on its own. Jackfruit is generally cultivated in states like Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is pretty popular among vegetarians because of its striking similarity to chicken meat in terms of texture. As per the International Journal of Food Science published in 2019, jackfruit is a rich source of minerals, like magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium, making it a great choice for your kid.

Conclusion

These are some of the many fruits available in India during the summer season that you may educate your child about. Other than knowing about their places of cultivation, knowledge about the nutritional value of each of these fruits may make your child more aware of the regional produce of their country and become nutritionally prudent.