Fruit squash, or cordial as it’s known in other parts of the world, has become a popular addition to drinks menus across Nepal as a refreshing way to cool down on steamy summer days. Made from fresh Nepali fruit in a variety of unique flavours like junar, orange, rhododendrons (laliguras), Seabuck thorn and bael, squash is a hit with kids for drinks after school as well as a great cocktail mixer.

Laliguras squash is made in Nepal’s hilly regions from juice extracted from the flower also known as rhododendron, which is Nepal's national flower. In spring, these flowers grow wild across the Himalayan foothills. The flowers are gathered and the juice is extracted, boiled and sweetened to make the squash. Laliguras is believed to have medicinal properties and the dried flower has been consumed by Nepali villagers for centuries.

Because laliguras grows wild and uncultivated, it provides good income and employment opportunities for landless and marginalised people. MEDEP has promoted laliguras squash producers in Sinhulpachowk, Rasuwa, Ramechhap, Dadeldhura and Kabhrepalanchowk districts providing entrepreneurship and

technical skills training and helping to build linkages with wholesalers like supermarkets, restaurants and resorts.

A variety of squash is available in both wholesale and retail quantities from Saugaat Griha, the sales outlet of micro, cottage and small entrepreneurs’ products at Tripureshowar, Kathmandu.

For more details please contact:

National Micro Entrepreneurs Groups Association

Saugaat Griha

Tripureshowar (next to Department of Industry)

Tel: +977 (0) 16215404

Email: nmega.nepal@gmail.com