Spotting

Description:

Green, rather leathery, 'berries' with a stone inside. When green (= not dried out) it can be eaten on its own or used to flavor yogurt water. Maybe also used to make jam. Not known if it is a cultivated crop or harvested in the wild. Locally known as "Qesqawan" (Sorani Kurdish).

Habitat:

Iranian Kurdistan mountain region, close to the border with Iraq. Iran / Kordestan / Tangan/ Baani Soollan

Notes:

The green, rather leathery, berries with a stone inside can be eaten. So, you actually just eat the skin because the stone is the biggest part of this 'berry'. It tastes somewhat like a pine tree smells. Not that I have eaten pine tree yet but the taste reminds you of the smell of pine trees. No hallucinations or special effects encountered. --- People have identified/suggested this plant or its fruits are named "melengic" in Turkish or "kappers" in Dutch. The first one was shown to me as dried, round grains. The second one under some liquid in a jar. It might as well be a local version of juniper berries.