There is a wide scope in processing of phalsa fruit but it is not processed widely. phalsa is a berry group fruit commercially cultivated in india and pakistan. the botanical name of phalsa is grewia asiatica. phalsa (grewia asiatica l., tiliaceae) is an exotic bush plant considered horticulturally as a small fruit crop but also used as a folk medicine. the ripe phalsa fruits are consumed fresh, in desserts, or processed into refreshing soft drinks and enjoyed during hot summer months in india. however, phalsa fruit has a short shelf life and is considered suitable only for local marketing. the ripe fruits are eaten as a dessert. their taste and flavour are very much liked and they fetch high prices. a refreshing drink prepared from the juice, commonly known as phalsa syrup, is considered a delicacy in northern india, throughout the hot summer months. a fully grown falsa shrub gives 5-6 kg of fruits. just after picking, the fruits are packed in well aerated bamboo basket and send to the market. phalsa fruit are very perishable. they cannot be stored for more than 2-3 days under ordinary conditions. they can be graded according to size (large to small) and colour (turning stage to red ripe stage). fruit should be packed in bamboo or mulberry basket cushioned with gunny cloth or paper cuttings for distant market. corrugated cardboard boxes can also be used for packing. storage life of the fruit depends on the stage of harvest. fruit harvested at turning stage can be stored for 2-3 days at room-temperature and about 7 days in cold storage at 70c. the fruit harvested at red ripe stage can be stored only for a day hence; they are marketed immediately in local market.