Garcinia indica, a plant in the mangosteen family (Clusiaceae), commonly known as kokum, is a fruit-bearing tree that has culinary, pharmaceutical, and industrial uses.Garcinia indica is known by various names across India, including aamsol, aamsul, bindin, biran, bhirand, bhinda, bhrinda, brinda, bin'na, kokum (alternate spellings kokam and cocum), katambi, looikya, sour apple, panarpuli, ratamba. The outer cover of fruit is dried in the sun to get aamsul or kokam.
Kokum yields a peculiar flavour and blackish red colour. It is a preferred substitute for tamarind in curries and is frequently used to add flavor and tartness to dal (lentil soup) for flavor balance, and parts of South India.
Kokum squash or kokum concentrate is used in preparing a drink which is bright red in colour. Kokum sherbet or kokam rasam improves digestion and cools the body during summers.
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