Janerik: Crunchy Green Sour Unripe Plums. Uncommon in many parts of the world, I came across this fruit during one of our Spring visits to Lebanon. I was hesitant about trying it at first, but seeing the excitement of the crowd, I decided to go for it. It is at that moment that I fell in love with Janerik. It was a love at first taste relationship.
Janerik is extremely popular in Middle Eastern regions. To many, it has become an obsession. Some people are so crazy about Janerik that they actually wait for the month of May to come so they can have their hands on this fruit. Just like they would wait for their Birthday month.
After doing my bit of research about it, I found out that it also extremely popular in Iran. There, they go by the name of goje sabz.
If you are a fan of sour flavors, then you will fall in love with this fruit just like I did. The intriguing thing about it is that you just can’t stop eating it after you have your first bite. You keep wanting more and more. That is why most people consume it as a snack and pair it with a cold beer.
The sad part is that they only come out once a year and for a limited time. That is why people don’t think twice about buying it once available. Spotting this green fruit at markets means that Spring has arrived!
The craze about Janerik is too real in Lebanon. Proof of that is the fact that Uber launched an UberJANERIK campaign in 2018. One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of fresh Janerik delivery to your location by an Uber driver for 1$. This year with the currency crisis in full force, Lebanese are waiting to find out what price tag will be put on them.
To Salt or Not to Salt?
A question that is asked when consuming Janerik. Most, if not all, would tell you to pair it with salt. Janerik and salt go together like peanut butter and jelly. Dip the sour fruit in salt, and let the juicy flavors explode in your mouth!
Let us know if you have something similar to Janerik in Lebanon where you are from!
My name is janerik and I feel as if I’ve been named as this fruit lol!
This literally brought back memories, literally when I was like 5 we’d get like 3 kilograms of janerik and they’d be done in 3 days so we’d go back for more
Wow I’ve never heard of this fruit before. I’m sure I would try it with the salt.
Lebanese food is one of of my all time favorite cuisines – though I’ve never tried these. Looking forward to tasting something new.
Wow I need to try Janerik it sounds yummy and I love sour flavors so I would be a fan!
Can you believe that I did not even know it as a fruit? But I love when it happens because curious as I am I will try it to try it!