Where I come from in Pakistan, the only local fruit if it can be called that is beir, which grow on the beiriyan, thats the beir trees. They are not sweet and they are not sour and basically they are just these itsy bitsy little reddish things, almost like berries but not quite. They’re not fun to eat either. The only fun is in spending hours in picking them off the trees and getting your arms and hands scratched all over. But still, it’s there and I’d like to know if anybody knows what it is called in English, if they’ve ever heard of it in the first place.
I know exactly what your talking about. I don't know the English name though, a friend of mine was telling me that they sell beir in Toronto. I love eating them, last year when I was in Pakistan thats what I lived of off. Knocking them down from the tree used to be our past time. I would love to find out the name.
The Ber we all love goes by the fancy name of "Indian Jujube".
Indian Jujube? The pictures look more like dates. In anycase, I found some recipes too. There’s beyr cake recipe too! I would never have known there were other ways to eat beyr apart from pick off tree and eat. I feel so primitive.
I think I’ll try this one next time I’m in Pakistan:
Jujube Syrup
Boil syrup remaining from the *Candied Jujubes, uncovered, until reduced to about 2 cups. Use over pancakes and waffles. Store in the refrigerator.
Other uses: Substitute the dried jujube wherever recipes call for raisins or dates. Dried jujubes are a wonderful snack that can be prepared without the use of any preservative as is so commonly needed for other dried fruits.
*Candied Jujubes
Wash about 3 pounds dried jujubes; drain and prick each several times with a fork. In a kettle bring to a boil 5 cups water, 5-1/2 cups sugar, and 1 tablespoon corn starch. Add the jujubes and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Cool, cover, and chill overnight.
The next day bring syrup and jujubes to a boil and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes. With a slotted spoon lift jujubes from syrup and place slightly apart on rimmed pans. Dry in oven, or in sun for about 2 to 3 days. Check fruit frequently and turn fruit occasionally until the jujubes are like the dates ones sees in the market.
you brought back some really nice childhood memories of mine with this thread
beyrian tey beyr :k: thanks for the nice thread
sigh good old days of childhood
btw do u know that the beyr tree is really common for jaadoo tona purposes as well 
lol, so I've heard. I don't care aboout the jaadoo shado as long as nothing bad happens to the beyrs
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*Originally posted by XTC: *
Indian Jujube? The pictures look more like dates.
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Those beyrs are nasty, in our Punjabi they are called siyu beyr, siyu means seyb/apple.
I prefer those small ones where the flesh is really thin and the tree is covered in nettles/prickly things.