Grewia asiatica

Grewia asiatica, commonly known as phalsa, falsa or sherbet berry, is a small deciduous shrub or tree of the mallow family grown as a cash crop in Southeast Asia for its edible and medicinal qualities. The berries age from light yellow through red to purple and resemble our blueberries when they full ripen in summer. They have a refreshing sour-sweet taste. A mature plant can produce 3-5 kg of fruit. Foliage is green, broadly round and serrated. Flowers develop on new wood so hard pruning during dormancy is encouraged. Drought resistant once established. Pest and disease resistant. Fruit may be eaten raw, juiced for jams and jellies and used as a flavouring for desserts and drinks. Protect from winter cold in a frost-free area.

Also called Indian Sherbet Berry, Phalsa is a fast-growing subtropical plant native to India and Southeast Asia. The fruits are borne in clusters and turn from light green to red to purple when fully ripe. About the size of a blueberry, Phalsa berries have a pleasant, sweet, almost sherbet-like flavor. Fruiting usually starts in mid-summer and the fruit needs to be harvested daily. The plant tends to have a a sprawling habit and reaches about 6-8' tall when planted in the ground. When new canes emerge, the leaves have a bronze-burgundy tint. In India, Phalsa is commonly used to make beverages since it's reputed to have a cooling effect on the body. It's also classified as a 'superfruit" that's rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin C.