Tea, jelly, and pickles from Roselle: A promising commercial crop in hills

In the hills of Bandarban, a tangy fruit plant called Roselle is now being cultivated commercially. Thanks to its edible leaves, fibers, and fruit, this vitamin-rich and medicinal plant is gaining increasing popularity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Locally known among indigenous communities as Amila, Roselle is more commonly recognized across Bangladesh as Chukai or Chukur. In some regions, it is also referred to as Meshta or Meshta Gola. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, although the plant from the Malvaceae family was once found throughout the country, its presence has diminished over the years. However, in the hilly regions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, cultivation of Chukai or Amila continues, particularly in upland areas.

In all seven upazilas of Bandarban, hill farmers (known as jumiya) are growing the sour-leaf fruit as an intercrop with traditional shifting (jhum) cultivation. In many hill villages, the plant is commonly found in the courtyards of homes.

The plant itself is short and bushy, bearing yellow flowers with maroon centers. The leaves are reddish-green, and the fruit turns red when ripe. Roselle is rich in vitamins B6 and C and is used to treat ailments such as mouth sores, constipation, urinary infections, and skin conditions. Its tangy flavor makes it ideal for making jam, sauce, jelly, or pickles.

Locals Rita Tanchangya and Supriya Tripura said the sour leaves and fruits are favorites among the hill people. “Almost every house in our villages grows this plant. It is mainly cultivated alongside jhum farming,” they said. The fruit and leaves are available weekly at local markets like Balaghata and Madhyampara Marma Bazaar, and its affordable price has made it popular among all communities. “When used in shrimp curries or tangy broths, Amila leaves enhance the flavor. The peel is also used to make sour dishes,” they added.

Local beneficiaries Adhir Babu and Foysal explained that the fruit is naturally rich in pectin and nutrients. Its dried peel can be brewed into tea. “Mixing the tangy fruit with boiling water and honey makes for a very healthy drink. It can also be cooked into sour curries or made into pickles. Among hill-dwelling Bengalis, this has become a popular health food,” they said.

Tanguli Tanchangya, a farmer from Tiger Para, and Yangri Mro, a farmer along the Ruma Road, shared that they have been cultivating Roselle commercially for several years as an intercrop with jhum. Instead of selling the fresh fruit, they dry it and sell the processed product. Wholesalers buy the dried fruit to make tea and sell it in markets. “The plant doesn’t require much water but needs strong sunlight. Its primary growing seasons are the monsoon and winter. The fruits are harvested after they turn a specific shade of red. Seeds are removed, and the fruit is sun-dried for better flavor and aroma,” they said.

Wholesaler Jane Alam noted, “About 20 kg of fresh fruit yields just 1 kg of dried Roselle. The wholesale price of 1 kg of dried Roselle tea is between Tk 3,500 and 4,000, with retail prices slightly higher. We buy the fruits from jumiya families across Bandarban and surrounding hill areas, process them, and sell the tea and pickles to various companies. It’s turning a decent profit.”

Confirming the commercial cultivation of Roselle in the hills, MM Shahnewaz, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bandarban, said, “Roselle is being grown commercially in the hills. People from all walks of life, both in the hills and plains, are buying and consuming the fruit and its leaves.”

The plant’s main advantage is that all parts — the leaves, fibers, and fruit — are edible. Its medicinal and nutritional properties, combined with its tangy taste, make it ideal for use in jams, sauces, jellies, and pickles. As a result, after meeting the demands of local markets, wholesalers are now sourcing Roselle for supply to companies. Its commercial potential is steadily rising, especially since the weather in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is well-suited for Roselle cultivation.