Goraka – Garcinia quaesita

Garcinia quaesita, known as Goraka (Sinhala) and Kodukkaippuli (Tamil) belongs to the family Clusiaceae. It is a medium evergreen, shade-loving, relatively slow-growing tree naturally found in the local tropical rainforests of Sri Lanka. The tree is small to medium-sized with horizontal or drooping branches. In Sri Lanka goraka has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Now goraka is becoming a popular spice in the world because of its potential as a dietary supplement for weight loss and appetite control.Goraka is not cultivated as a fruit tree but is seen growing in wet and intermediate zone home gardens as a cash crop.

Product & uses 

The Goraka fruits are too acidic to be eaten raw. They are valued for their sundried rind which is widely used in Sri Lankan and Indian cooking. The ingredient is used in place of lime and tamarind in Indian subcontinental cooking and is commonly known as Gambooge, Malabar Tamarind, and Fish Tamarind. It is an essential ingredient in all the seafood-loving kitchens in Sri Lanka. The dried fruit is used as a souring agent in South Indian and Sri Lankan famous fish curries and other seafood preparations. The dried Gorakarinds are used along with salt for washing seafood prior to cooking. Goraka is known to destroy histamine in fish by 80%. Gorakais also used as a preservative. Goraka is a key ingredient in preparing “Fish abulthiyal” which has a shelf life of about 7 days at room temperature. Goraka also improves the hardiness of the fish pieces.

Health Benefits – Treats obesity, Reduces cholesterol, Control blood sugar, Digestion related issues, Fight against cancer cells, Inflammatory properties

What it contains

Saturated Fatty Acid. Carbohydrate. Dietary Fiber. , Energy., Fat. , Protein. , Sugar., Sodium

Goraka has become the latest novelty to hit the health industry and has become in demand all over the world. Recent clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of Goraka in tackling weight loss and boosting the immune system. The famous Dr. Oz has also featured Gorakaas an effective fat burner that people around the world can use to lose their unwanted weight.

Various parts of Garcinia Cambogia are used in Ayurveda for their therapeutic and antiseptic properties. It is used to promote digestion, and a decoction made out of it is used against Arthritis and some uterine diseases. It is also known to cure ulcers, weak gums, and bowel complaints. The leaves, bark, and flowers are used for treating fractures. It is also used in veterinary medicine. Goraka helps to boost the immune system, lower elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and help to protect the body against cancer.

Overseas, Goraka is made into liquids, capsules, tables and sold as a dietary supplement. Modern research is increasingly using Goraka as an active ingredient in preparing special blends that help weight loss, detox, and rejuvenate the body. Goraka is also been used in food fortification especially in milk foods such as yogurt

It can be successfully grown in a wide range of soil in the wet and intermediate zones in Sri Lanka. Deep, well-drained, slightly acidic, clay loam soil is best for goraka cultivation.Goraka needs well-distributed rainfall. A short dry period (15 – 20 days) is important for flower initiate. Shade is necessary during the first 2 – 3 years both in nursery and field establishment

Goraka has been used in Sri Lanka since ancient times for culinary and medicinal purposes. The young Goraka fruits are green in color and they will gradually turn yellow when ripe. Once fully ripe, fruits are collected, cut in half, deseeded, and sun-dried for a day. The sun-dried fruit halves are smoked till black and are rubbed with a mixture of salt and oil before transferring to earthenware pots and tightly sealed. These will stay fresh for years.

Goraka fruits are too acidic to be eaten raw. They are valued for their sundried rind which is widely used in Sri Lankan and Indian cooking. The ingredient is used in place of lime and tamarind in Indian subcontinental cooking and is commonly known as Gambooge, Malabar Tamarind, and Fish Tamarind. It is an essential ingredient in all the seafood-loving kitchens in Sri Lanka. The dried fruit is used as a souring agent in South Indian and Sri Lankan famous fish curries and other seafood preparations. The dried Gorakarinds are used along with salt for washing seafood prior to cooking. Goraka is known to destroy histamine in fish by 80%. Gorakais also used as a preservative. Goraka is a key ingredient in preparing “Fish abulthiyal” which has a shelf life of about 7 days in room temperature. Goraka also improves the hardiness of the fish pieces.

HEALTH BENEFITS

The fruit produced by the goraka tree has the following health benefits in the body;

Treats obesity– This fruit is a natural remedy for obesity. The hydroxycitric acid helps in breaking in burning down the fats in the body system leading to weight reduction. Also, the same acid helps in suppressing the pangs of hunger hence reducing the uptake of food that leads to massive weight gain. The fact that this fruit does not contain sugar or calories, when consumed it does not result in weight gain.

Reduces cholesterol– the hydroxycitric acid reduces the cholesterol levels in the body. This is why the fruit should be taken soon after the major meals. This makes the fruit home and natural remedy for the treatment of hypertension and other cholesterol-related conditions in the body.

Control blood sugar– The fruit produced by the goraka tree is essential in home management and control of blood sugar. The fruit does not contain glucose hence ideal for lowering blood sugar thus when combined with proper diet replaces over-the-counter medicine for diabetes.

​Digestion-related issues– This fruit is best for digestion-related issues such as constipation and bowel problems. This is made possible by the presence of fiber and water in the fruit that enhances digestion.

​Fight against cancer cells– The fruit is a good source of antioxidants that blocks the multiplication and spreading of the cancer cells. The fruits work for colon, prostate, and breast cancer.

​Inflammatory properties– The fruit has some anti-inflammatory properties that help in preventing inflammatory diseases.