The sugar apple is a fruit tree that arouses keen interest among gourmets and people who want to learn more about exotic representatives of the tropical flora. The fruits of the tree are attractive for their unusual appearance and taste., a rich chemical composition, on the basis of which numerous recipes for beauty and health have been created.
Biological description of the plant
The biological name of the plant is annona scaly... It is a fruit crop developed in the countries of Oceania and Indochina, in South America, China, India and in the tropical regions of Africa. The region of origin of the fruit tree is unknown, presumably it is adjacent to the Caribbean Sea basin.
Tree structure
The sugar apple is a fruit tree that ranges from 3 to 6 m in height. The branches of the tree are low and grow from a strong trunk. The main shoots branch into smaller ones with numerous pubescent cuttings, on which matte green elongated leaves are located in two rows. When rubbed between fingers, the leaves of the tree exude a scent with hints of vanilla... Thanks to this structure, a lush zigzag crown is formed at the tree.
Bloom
Flowers of a fruit tree are formed singly or in a group of 2-4 pieces from the base of the leaf petiole. The elongated shape of the flower is formed of three fleshy outer petals, inside which three more smaller ones are hidden. The color of the flowers is greenish yellow, there is a purple spot at the base. The flowers of the fruit tree are quite large and reach a length of 2.5 to 4 cm... They open slightly only for a short period of time for insects to enter the fertilization phase.
Fruit
The sugar apple fruit has a complex structure. It consists of many clustered segments, each of which contains an oblong dark brown seed from 1 to 1.5 cm in length. Pulp - fibrous, juicy and fragrant, when fully ripe, it acquires a creamy consistency that tastes like butter cream. The peel is pale green, can have grayish and bluish tints, in overripe fruits it acquires a purple hue. It is a rounded fruit, reaching a length of 10 cm and gaining weight up to 350 g.
Technical ripening of fruits, depending on the region, lasts from June to September... The sugar apple is stored very little, overripe fruits begin to crack the peel and flow out the pulp. Therefore, the fruits of the tree are harvested before ripening, this allows you to preserve the appearance and quality of the fruits for export to other countries or sale in the markets and in restaurants. From one adult tree, from 100 to 150 fruits are harvested.
Composition of sugar apple fruits
Fruits, little known in our regions, are widely used in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine in the countries where they are cultivated. It's hard not to pay attention to the rich chemical composition of fruits, in which are concentrated in large quantities:
- vitamins groups B, A, C, PP;
- minerals: phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium;
- irreplaceable amino acids: lysine, tryptophan, methionine;
- useful trace elements: iron, copper, selenium and zinc.
Oleic, stearic and linoleic acids are present in small amounts.
100 g of Annona scaly fruit pulp contains:
- water 73.23 g;
- carbohydrates 23.64 g;
- proteins 2.06 g;
- fats 0.29 g.
The energy value of the product is 94 kcal.
Useful properties of annona scaly
Bioactive compounds contained in the fruit pulp have a beneficial effect on the entire body. When the product is consumed, nutrients for beneficial microflora enter the body, which helps to eliminate pathogenic bacteria. The work of the liver is stabilized and the increased acidity in the gastrointestinal tract decreases.
Sugar apple is good for people with uric acid deposition. The fruit contains vitamins C and PP, active participants in the dissolution and elimination of pathological formations during gout, rheumatism and arthritis. Sugar apple juice has a mild diuretic effect and is useful for diseases of the urinary tract.
Harvested in the fruits of annona the mineral complex has a positive effect on the formation of blood cells and the activity of the cardiovascular system... The product contributes to the regulation of blood glucose levels, and therefore is especially valuable for diabetic diets.
The fruit contains a large amount of B vitamins, without which the growth of new collagen fibers and the renewal of tissues of all structures of the body are impossible. Thanks to these processes, the skin looks toned, hair and nails are strong and shiny.
An essential amino acid - tryptophan stimulates the synthesis of the hormone serotonin, which improves sleep quality and emotional background. Lysine - essential for bone remodeling in childhood and improving short-term memory. Methionine activates the processing of fats and increases the body's resistance to toxins.
The harm of this fruit to the body
The greatest danger to the body when eating the fruit comes from the seeds. They contain a high concentration of alkaloids, which act as a toxin, causing severe poisoning.
It is not recommended to eat fruits during pregnancy... They contain a large amount of calcium, the excess of which negatively affects the development of the baby and leads to complications during childbirth.
It is necessary to protect your eyes from getting the juice of the fruit, it contains acids that irritate the mucous membrane of the pupils and toxins that can lead to pathological disorders in the fundus.
The value of the sugar apple in medicine
All parts of the fruit tree have healing properties., which are widely used in alternative medicine, mainly by traditional healers in India. Quite recently, scientists from this country made a phytopharmacological analysis of a fruit tree, as a result of which high healing properties were confirmed for the treatment and prevention of serious pathologies - diabetes mellitus and malignant tumors.
In diabetes mellitus, plant root extract is used, which stimulates the release of insulin, thereby regulating blood glucose levels. The combination of antioxidants in the fetus acts as a powerful anti-carcinogen, inhibiting the development of cancer.
In addition, infusions and decoctions from different parts of the fruit tree have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antipyretic properties, which allows them to be used in the symptomatic treatment of many infectious and viral diseases. Sugar apple fruits have regenerating and wound healing properties and are often used to treat traumatic, ulcerative and burn wounds.
The seeds and leaves of the plant contain essential oils - effective insecticides. Infusions and decoctions from these pieces of sugar apple are most commonly used to combat head lice. A more concentrated extract is used as a repellant against blood-sucking insects.
A decoction of fruits, roots and bark contains a large amount of tannin and phenol, has an astringent effect on the digestive tract. Plants use this property to treat dysentery. Crushed young fruits effectively treat gastrointestinal infections.
The pulp of unripe fruits, mixed with salt, is applied to local edema, frequent companions of rheumatic and varicose diseases. Such a mixture draws out all the excess fluid from the intercellular tissues, which prevents the formation of blood clots in the vessels and restores optimal microcirculation of substances in their walls.
Sugar apple seeds contain up to 49% non-drying oil, which is used in soap making... Soap made from sugar apple oil is hypoallergenic and has high moisturizing properties.
Sugar apple in cooking
Chefs in many gourmet restaurants take advantage of the delicious and unfamiliar flavor of the fruit. Annona fruits are self-sufficient and can be served as a dessert after a hearty meal.... To do this, the fruit is cut in half and served with a dessert spoon.
The most popular is sugar apple ice cream, which is often served in restaurants in Indochina countries. The taste of the fruit is combined with milk, and the combination of these products in a cocktail will not leave anyone indifferent. Sugar apple dessert wine is produced in the Philippines.
Tea brewed with Annona leaves has mild sedative and cooling properties and is most enjoyable on a hot afternoon. Fruit pulp can be added to sweet sauces for dessert or poultry... Alkali-treated sugar tree seed oil is found in many foods.
The combination of exotic taste, fragrant aroma and beneficial properties for the human body make the sugar apple one of the most interesting tropical fruits. Studies of the chemical composition of the plant are still being carried out in laboratories in many countries and, undoubtedly, will give results that reveal the full potential of annona scaly.