Heibi and Heibi Mulhanba

Heibi, scientifically known as Vangueria Spinosa, is a treasured wild fruit in Manipur. Once abundant in the city, this fruit-bearing tree has become a rare sight, pushing enthusiasts to explore hills and villages to find it in local markets. The leaves of the heibi plant lend a unique touch to our singju salad or can be cooked to perfection. Despite its rarity, the heibi fruit continues to captivate with its versatile uses. To ripen the fruit, we fashion it into a charming garland using bamboo wreaths, letting it bask in the sun for days until it reaches a delectable state fit for consumption. This fruit holds a rich history, traced back to the times of our grandmothers and grand aunts, who not only relished it as a winter treat but also harnessed its nourishing properties. Their age-old wisdom included using heibi as a winter application to moisturize their hands and legs, leaving a legacy of beauty and tradition.