Morai, chironji or charoli in Hindi, is a dry-forest tree whose small, almond-flavoured kernels are scattered over kheer, halwa, barfi and shrikhand. Most chironji is gathered from wild trees by tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha, then cracked from hard stones by hand. That labour makes it one of the costliest Indian dry fruits.
- Botanical name
- Buchanania lanzan Spreng.
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
- Tamil
- Morai
- Hindi
- Chironji
- Sanskrit
- Priyāla
- Parts used
- Seed kernel
- Habit
- Dry-forest tree with a small, prized edible kernel, chironji
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Morai
It is a medium-sized deciduous tree with dark, rough bark cracked into squares.
The leaves are thick, leathery and oblong, with rounded tips and prominent parallel veins.
Small greenish-white flowers grow in branched clusters at the shoot tips.
The fruit is a small drupe, about a centimetre across, that ripens dark purple-black with sweet-sour flesh.
Inside the hard stone is a soft, lentil-sized kernel.
Traditional use of Morai
Kitchen
Chironji kernels are used in kheer, halwa, shrikhand and Mughlai gravies.
North and central Indian food practice
Kitchen
Ripe fruits are eaten fresh by forest communities in summer.
Central Indian tribal food practice
Ayurveda
Priyala is listed in Ayurvedic texts as a nourishing food.
Ayurvedic texts
Modern notes on Morai
The kernels are about half oil and a quarter protein.
Overharvesting of fruits and damage to trees have reduced yields in some forests.
Machines for cracking the stones are being developed to cut the hand labour.
Morai safety
Chironji is a safe food. Like other nuts it can cause allergy in sensitive people. Store kernels cool, since the oil turns rancid.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows in dry deciduous forests across India and into South-east Asia.
Birds and bats eat the ripe fruits.
It tolerates poor, rocky soil.
It flowers in late winter, and the fruits ripen in April and May.
Related plants
Also in Anacardiaceae
Questions about Morai
What is chironji?
The kernel of this tree’s fruit.
Why is Morai expensive?
It is gathered wild and cracked by hand.
How is Morai used?
In sweets and rich gravies.
Where does Morai come from?
Mainly central Indian forests.
What is charoli?
Another name for chironji.
Should chironji be roasted?
Light roasting brings out its nutty flavour before it goes into sweets.
Sources
- Buchanania lanzan Spreng. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q83127 (Buchanania lanzan)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.