Dry Fruit Names in Urdu and English: Complete Guide

Quick Answer: Common dry fruit names include almond—badam (بادام), walnut—akhrot (اخروٹ), cashew—kaju (کاجو), pistachio—pista (پستہ), raisin—kishmish (کشمش), fig—anjeer (انجیر), apricot—khubani (خوبانی), date—khajoor (کھجور), peanut—moong phali (مونگ پھلی) and pine nut—chilgoza (چلغوزہ). Spellings in Roman Urdu vary, so use the Urdu script or a product photo when confirming an item with a seller.

Urdu-to-English dry fruit reference

In Pakistani markets, “dry fruit” is an everyday category that includes dried fruits, tree nuts, peanuts and sometimes seeds. This table follows common shopping language while identifying the food type. Pronunciation and Roman spelling can differ by region.

The most commonly confused names

Kishmish, munaqqa and raisins

“Raisin” is the broad English word for a dried grape. Kishmish commonly refers to smaller seedless raisins, while munaqqa often refers to a larger dried grape that may retain seeds. Usage changes by seller and region, so ask about size, seed status and variety rather than relying on the name alone. Browse examples in the raisin collection.

Khubani and aloo bukhara

Khubani is apricot; dried khubani may be whole, halved, seeded or unseeded. Aloo bukhara is plum, and a prune is a dried plum. They are different fruits despite both appearing in chutneys, drinks and savoury dishes.

Pista and peanut

Pista means pistachio, a tree nut sold in or out of its pale shell. Moong phali means peanut, which is botanically a legume. Both can be roasted and salted, but they differ in taste, price and allergen profile.

Chilgoza and other pine nuts

Chilgoza usually refers to the elongated seeds of a particular pine associated with the region. “Pine nut” is the wider English category. Origin and species affect appearance and price, so the two labels are not always a precise grade description.

What each food is used for

Badam is eaten as a snack, blended into drinks and used in halwa and kheer. Akhrot works in baking, salads and winter snacks. Kaju adds richness to gravies and desserts, while pista is a familiar garnish on mithai, kulfi and firni.

Kishmish adds sweetness to pulao, cereal and baked goods. Anjeer is eaten whole, soaked for texture or chopped into breakfast. Khubani is used in chutney, desserts and stews. Khajoor is popular at iftar and can sweeten porridge or energy bites.

A nutrition note without exaggerated claims

Nuts generally provide unsaturated fats, plant protein and minerals; dried fruits generally provide carbohydrate, fibre and concentrated natural sugars. Exact nutrients differ. Almonds are known for vitamin E, walnuts provide plant omega-3 ALA, and dried apricots contribute potassium. These are food contributions, not promises to cure disease, raise intelligence or guarantee weight loss.

Portions matter because both nuts and dried fruits are compact. Added salt, sugar, oil and flavour coatings also matter. People with allergies must identify the exact nut, and those managing diabetes or kidney disease may need individual guidance.

How to use the glossary while shopping

1. Say or show both names: for example, “walnut, akhrot, اخروٹ.”
2. Confirm form: whole, pieces, kernels, in-shell, roasted or raw.
3. Ask whether raisins or apricots contain seeds.
4. Check ingredients for sugar, salt, oil, sulphites or flavouring.
5. Compare net weight and grade before comparing price.

An English product title may still use local variety names such as Mamra almond, Ajwa date or Chilgoza. Those terms identify a variety or market type rather than a translation of the whole category.

Quality checks in Pakistani markets

Nuts should smell clean and taste fresh, not bitter or like old oil. Dried fruits should be free from mould, insects, webbing and fermented odour. Natural colour varies: darker apricots or raisins are not automatically inferior, while unusually bright colour is not proof of quality.

For packaged goods, inspect the seal, ingredients, net weight and date information. For loose goods, choose covered stock with good turnover. If ordering online, product photos help with identification but grade, size and origin should still be read in the description.

Storage in warm weather

Keep dry fruits airtight and away from sunlight, humidity and stove heat. Refrigeration can protect nuts and moist dried fruits during extended hot weather if the container is tightly sealed. Divide bulk purchases into smaller containers. Discard food with mould, insects, sour fermentation or rancid odour.

Frequently asked questions

What is almond called in Urdu?

Almond is badam, written بادام.

What is the difference between kishmish and munaqqa?

Both are dried grapes; kishmish is commonly smaller and seedless, while munaqqa is often larger and may contain seeds. Market usage varies.

Is peanut a dry fruit?

Pakistani shops group it with dry fruits, but botanically peanut is a legume rather than a tree nut.

What is prune called in Urdu?

It is commonly described as khushk aloo bukhara (خشک آلو بخارا), meaning dried plum.

Where can I compare dry fruits by English name?

Browse the category links above or the Khan Dry Fruits store, then confirm Urdu spelling, form, pack weight and availability.

Keep this guide handy

A translation list is most useful when it prevents the wrong purchase. Save the table, show the script to a seller and confirm variety and form before paying. For online orders across Pakistan, use the collection pages to match the English name with the product image and description.

For the complete glossary — including macadamia (chabi wala akhrot), brazil nuts, sago dana, injeer and kajo spellings, and more FAQs — see Dry Fruits Names in Urdu and English.