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For many who grew up in rural Nepal, the sharp, tangy taste of kabro (Ficus lacor) pickle brings back warm childhood memories. This seasonal treat was once a favourite among children, who often ate the young shoots and fruits straight from the trees. The fresh leaves, buds, and fruits were not just tasty—they were part of everyday cooking in many homes.

But eating too much kabro had its side effects. Many children joked about how it could cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. Still, this wild ingredient had a special place in both the kitchen and traditional medicine. Sadly, like many other native foods, kabro is disappearing from Nepali households, replaced by modern and processed foods.

What is kabro?

Kabro, or Ficus lacor, is a large, fast-growing tree found in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and across Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Moraceae family, which also includes figs and mulberries. The tree grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. Apart from feeding humans, it also supports wildlife—its fruits are a favourite of many birds and animals.

In Nepal, making pickles from kabro is an age-old tradition. The young buds, leaves, and fruits are harvested during specific seasons and used to make a tangy, slightly bitter pickle that goes perfectly with rice and dhido (a traditional buckwheat porridge).

The best time to pick kabro is when the buds or leaves are young and reddish in colour. Once they mature, they are mostly used as animal fodder.

Ingredients for kabro pickle

• Tender kabro shoots or young leaves
• Turmeric powder
• Salt
• Timur (Sichuan pepper)
• Red chilies
• Cardamom
• Ginger and garlic paste
• Mustard oil
• Lemon juice

Methodology 

Wash the young leaves and shoots properly. Lightly boil them to remove some of the bitterness and soften the texture. Let them cool, then mix with turmeric, salt, and other spices. Sauté the mixture in mustard oil until it smells rich and aromatic. Add lemon juice for a tangy twist. Leave the pickle in sunlight for a few days to let it mature. The result is a delicious blend of bitter, sour, and spicy flavours—a taste that brings back memories for many Nepalis.

Kabro in traditional Medicine

Kabro isn’t just a tasty pickle. It has long been valued for its healing properties in traditional medicine. In small amounts, kabro supports digestion and relieves bloating. It’s often used to treat indigestion and gastric discomfort. Packed with antioxidants, it helps strengthen the immune system. The bark and leaves have anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest kabro helps lower blood sugar.

A tradition at risk

As more people move to cities and processed foods become common, traditional items like kabro pickle are being forgotten. Reviving them is important—not just for nostalgia, but to protect Nepal’s rich culinary heritage and improve food diversity.

How to bring kabro pickle back

Promote in local communities

Raise awareness of kabro’s health benefits and traditional value.=

Feature in restaurants

Traditional eateries can include kabro pickle on their menus to attract curious food lovers.

Encourage small-scale production

Kabro pickle can be packaged and sold as a specialty item, offering economic opportunities for rural communities.

Kabro beyond Nepal

Kabro isn’t just known in Nepal. Cultures across Asia use it in their own ways. For example, in Northern Thailand, a delicious curry is made using the young leaves of Ficus lacor.

Here’s a simple way to prepare kabro curry with Chicken or Pork, inspired by Thai cuisine. Pick only the soft young leaves, removing the thick leaf stems. Fry Thai curry paste (or make your own curry paste) in a pot until aromatic. Add chicken or pork, and stir until the meat is well-coated and cooked. Pour in water and bring to a boil. Add the kabro leaves and boil until they are tender. Turn off the heat. The curry is ready to serve. This dish has a rich, earthy flavour and is a wonderful way to enjoy kabro beyond pickles.

Bringing back a lost flavor

The kabro pickle is a piece of Nepal’s food history. As we explore new tastes, we should not forget the value of the past. By reintroducing kabro into our diets, we are not only reconnecting with tradition but also making a healthy, sustainable choice. Let’s bring kabro back to our kitchens and preserve this forgotten gem for future generations.

The author is a London-based R&D chef

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has directed the police administration to conduct an investigation to find the facts and truth in connection with the death of 24-year-old Anandi Devi Sadaya of Jagatpur, Nawarajpur Rural Municipality-3 in Siraha district.

Sadaya, who was sexually assaulted some four months ago, was found dead at her home on Tuesday.

Home Minister Lekhak expressed serious concern over the incident and called Inspector General of Police Deepak Thapa, directing him to investigate the facts regarding the incident, according to the Home Ministry Secretariat.

Sadaya was sexually assaulted by Sanjeev Kumar Yadav (22) and Shyam Sundar Yadav (32) of Bariyarpatti Rural Municipality-1 in Siraha on December 24, 2024, when she had gone there to meet her older sister, according to District Police Office Siraha Chief and Superintendent of Police Anantaram Sharma.

According to him, a case has been registered against them on the charge of attempted extortion, but they have not been arrested. He said the District Police Office has been carrying out a more thorough investigation into this case since the beginning.

"A case was registered against them on March 9. The perpetrators are absconding right after the incident. Although a search for them is challenging since the perpetrators are hiding in India, the police administration is constantly carrying out its investigation," he said.

Superintendent of Police Sharma said that he reached the incident site today and met with the victim's family.

"The deceased, Anandi Devi, has a two-year-old daughter. Anandi Devi had been living with her parents for a year. Anandi Devi was found hanging yesterday when there was no one at her parents' house," he said.

The body of the deceased has been kept at the Provincial Hospital in Lahan for post-mortem, police said.

A detailed investigation into the incident is underway, according to the District Police Office.

Protests have been staged in various places of Birgunj, which has been in turmoil following a dispute between two communities since Saturday, on Wednesday by burning tyres.

A clash had occurred between the two communities while taking out the procession on the occasion of Hanuman Janma Ustav on Saturday.

The District Administration Office (DAO) had imposed the curfew order with effect from 6:30 pm on Saturday after a clash between two groups took a violent turn in the Birgunj municipal corporation area.

Though the DAO lifted the curfew, a prohibitory order was imposed putting a ban on any kind of gatherings, meetings, processions and demonstrations with effect from April 14 and until further notice.

Chief District Officer of Parsa, Ganesh Aryal had said that those violating the order will be taken into custody and action will be taken according to the law.

But the youths affiliated to Hindu organizations tried to stage a protest in front of the District Police Office, Parsa boycotting the prohibitory order on Tuesday evening.

Police, however, resorted to lathi charge and dispersed the mob.

Three journalists, who were collecting the new, were injured in the incident.

A large number of the security personnel were deployed after the youths affiliated to Hindu organizations started staging protests in various places by burning tyres since this morning.

CDO Aryal has called Nepal Police SP Gautam Mishra and Armed Police Force SP Radhe Shyam Dhimal to discuss the issue.

Two children of Madhyabindu Municipality-12 have gone missing after being swept away by the Narayani River. 

DSP Madhu Nepal of the District Police Office, Chitwan informed that Prajwal Paudel and Bijay Paudel ventured into Ulti Dhoban, the confluence of Arung Khola and Narayani River, to swim on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said that they are searching for the missing children.

“Search is underway for the missing children. After they were not found till late night yesterday, we have again started the search operation since this morning,” DSP Nepal said.

He said  that they are also coordinating with a team of divers to search for the children.

“Coordination is also being made with a team of divers. Search operations are underway with the help of Nepal Police personnel and locals,” DSP Nepal said.

It has been learnt that the incident occurred while they had gone on the banks of Narayani River for a dry picnic.