Cherimoya: description, benefits of the fruit, history, use in food. Prevention of preterm birth

Description of the fruit

"Cold Seeds" - this is how the mysterious word "cherimoya" is translated from the ancient Quechu language. In reality, this fruit tree Annon family, and the Aztecs knew about the representatives of this family.

The mountainous tropical forests of South America are the native penates of the cherimoya, reaching a height of 9 meters, the owner of unusual and tasty fruits. It is because of them that cherimoya is sometimes called the "ice cream tree", and the heart-shaped fruits themselves are sometimes called "cream apples". The fact is that the creamy consistency of the pulp of the cherimoya fruit in frozen very reminiscent of the taste of everyone's favorite ice treat. A fresh fruit their taste sensations makes you remember exotic combination mango, papaya, strawberry and pineapple.

In terms of size, cherimoya fruits may differ slightly from each other: in length from 10 to 20 cm and up to 10 cm in width. But what is common to every fruit is the hard black seeds, the number of which never exceeds 20! To date, cherimoya has already "conquered" the territories of India, Australia, the Philippines, the countries of the European Mediterranean, as well as the states of North and South Africa.

Beneficial features

Cherimoya, like most tropical fruits, is generously endowed with an impressive amount of useful substances and all kinds of vitamins. Calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, zinc and the leader among them - potassium, plus a supply of vitamins B, C and PP - with this composition, you can safely launch an offensive against various ailments and despondency.

Specifically, the consumption of cherimoya will have the best effect on the functioning of the stomach and liver, and will help with intestinal obstruction. A rich combination of citric, folic, succinic acids, together with glucose, sucrose, riboflavin and thiamine, should also be attributed to the advantages of this fruit.

Harmful properties

Despite the fact that cherimoya seeds contain a considerable amount of essential oils, and in crushed fried form they are used as an emetic, it must be remembered that the seeds themselves are very toxic. Therefore, they must be handled with care, as carelessness in eating these components of the fruit can lead to serious poisoning.

Peculiarities

TO characteristic features cherimoya, perhaps, can be attributed to the fact that the juice of this fruit is added to some alcoholic beverages. And if you mix powdered cherimoya seeds with fat, then this will be a formidable weapon against lice and other pests.

On the shelves of fruit departments in Spanish stores, you can often find a strange fruit or vegetable. It looks like nothing and has a strange name. What is it?

First of all, it's a fruit, enough delicious fruit loved by the Spaniards. Cherimoya (lat. Annona cherimola) is the name of a tree that grows in countries with a subtropical and temperate climate, in particular in Spain. The tree is massive - up to 9 meters high, with large wide leaves and beautiful flowers. In one season, about 200 fruits can be harvested from a tree, and believe me, this is not a little.

Cherimoya fruits (Hirimoia), what you see on the counter, are cone-shaped with segments. It is difficult to describe, once you see it, you will remember the shape and immediately distinguish this fruit from the rest. fruits are different sizes, up to 10 cm in diameter and 20 cm in height. The weight of one fruit varies from 0.5 kg to 3 kg. You will hardly meet the largest options, but 0.5–1 kg is quite. The pulp of a ripe fruit is similar in consistency to a white cream, it may be a little yellowish in color. And the bones, there are a lot of bones and they are quite large. In one fruit, 10–20 seeds are normal. Remember!!! Bones can not be eaten, they are dangerous to health!

Cheremoyya is often called the “ice cream tree”. The explanation is simple: the taste of ripe pulp resembles ice cream. Yes, and very often the fruit is eaten that way. It is frozen and then eaten with a spoon or added to smoothies, fruit salads and ice cream. The taste is very pleasant, slightly sweet and delicate. A bit like an apple, like a sherbet, like a light whipped cream. Gourmets (we believe them, don't we) say that the taste resembles a mixture of papaya, pineapple, mango and strawberries.

Name history

The name of the tree was due to the Incas. Translated from their language, "cherimoya" means "cold seeds." This probably came from the fact that cherimoya is a very cold-resistant tree and feels quite good in cold temperatures.

Composition of fruits

Oh it's very useful fruit. It is light, non-caloric, only 74 kcal per 100 g and contains vitamins C, B groups, PP, a lot of potassium, there is calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, folic acid, etc.

Beneficial features

• It is not difficult to guess that if there are so many minerals and vitamins in the composition, then the fruit has plenty of useful properties.
• Suitable for those with a sweet tooth who watch their figure.
• Favorably affects the liver and stomach.
• Has bacterial properties.
• From seeds and leaves, solutions are made to fight lice, as well as insect repellents (mosquitoes and others).
• Dried fruits are used as medicine at food poisoning.
• The seeds are used to make laxatives.
• It is believed that the presence of cherimoya in the diet can prevent the development of tumors in the body.

How to eat cherimoya fruit

Most often they are consumed raw, or frozen and eaten as “sherbet”. But you can also cook. Most often, cherimoya can be found in confectionery and dessert dishes. You yourself can add it to yoghurts, fruit salads, and prepare cocktails. As it is - cut into two halves and take out the pulp with a spoon. Seeds are not to be eaten!

Cherimoya is a tree of the genus Annona, family Annona. Other names for this plant are chirimola, owl, pearl of the Andes, chirmalia, and golden Peruvian apple. The name comes from two words of the Quechua Indian language: chiri- "cold" and moya- "seed". This name is explained by the endurance of the tree to weather conditions. It grows well in dry and cool areas.

The homeland of the plant is the foothills of the Andes of Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. In Peru, the fruits have been known since the time of the Incas. Cherimoya is grown in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, the Antilles, cool areas of Central America and even the USA, southern Florida and California. The trees are successfully cultivated in India, Australia, South Africa, Eritrea, Somalia, Portugal, Egypt, Italy, Algeria and Libya, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the Hawaiian Islands. But the most significant crop is harvested in Portugal and Spain.

What does it look like

The cherimoya tree grows up to 9 meters in height. Leaves two-row, up to 15 cm long and 9 cm wide. Flowers with short stalks grow along the branches. The flower consists of 3 outer thick and fleshy petals, inside there are 3 small petals. The fruits are complex and consist of segments. Depending on the variety, the shape of the fruit may be conical or heart-like. In length, the fruit reaches 10-20 cm, the flesh is white and fragrant, fibrous-creamy texture. Each fruit contains about 20 large black seeds. The weight of one fruit is from 0.5 to 3 kg. Up to 200 fruits can be harvested from one tree.

The pulp of cherimoya tastes like banana, strawberry, pineapple, papaya and mango with milk at the same time. Some varieties have light fragrance cinnamon. Cherimoya is often referred to as the ice cream tree because the pulp, especially when frozen, is very similar in texture and taste to ice cream sundae. fruit flavor.

• the seeds of the fruit are very poisonous and should not be eaten;
• to sleep well, just put in a pillowcase fresh leaf cherimoya;
• the fruit is the national fruit of Chile;
• in the middle of the 19th century, Mark Twain called cherimoya the most delicious fruit in the world;
• in Chile, the pulp is frozen and served in waffle cups like ice cream;
• outside the growth of this fruit, its price is quite high. In some countries, one piece of fruit will cost up to $50. Since they are heavy, they are often sold cut in half.

Varieties

There are many varieties of cherimoya, but not all of them have good palatability and endure transportation. Most Popular:

• Hilary White, medium sized fruit with smooth skin;
• Mamilata, fruits of an irregular conical shape, look like a heart. Peel in the form of scales, light green. There are more seeds in the pulp than in other varieties;
• Pinks Mammoth, a fruit with a sweet aroma, weighs up to 3 kg, there are practically no seeds inside the pulp;
• Bronsiade, a fruit of a conical shape, which is often asymmetrical. The peel is yellow or light bronze in color, thick with outgrowths. The pulp is fragrant and very sweet;
• African Pride, a high-yielding variety, the tree grows up to 3 meters in height, the fruits are heart-shaped, the peel is thick. Fruit ripening occurs early, the weight of one fruit is 500-800 g;
• Late Gold, rare variety, fruits with a soft peel of a golden hue;
• Concha Liza, a rounded fruit, weight up to 2 kg. pulp with rich aroma, tastes like a mixture of strawberries and pineapple with hints of cinnamon.

Benefit

There are many useful substances in cherimoya, there are vitamin C, PP, E, K and group B, iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, zinc, copper, fructose, sucrose, citric and succinic acid, alkaloids, cellulose, riboflavin, thiamine. 100 g of fruit contains 74 kcal.

Useful properties of cherimoya for the human body:

• improves eyesight;
• helps to gain weight;
• improves immunity;
• improves memory;
• helps with nausea;
• lowers the risk of arthritis;
• protects the body from cancer;
• promotes the production of collagen;
• strengthens cardiovascular system;
• improves digestion;
• improves the condition of hair and skin;
• eliminates weakness and fatigue;
• calms and relieves stress;
• relieves irritability;
• maintains the level of water in the body;
• cleanses the joints of acids, preventing arthritis and rheumatism;
• increases hemoglobin;
• improves brain function;
• provides a strong healthy sleep;
• reduces pain during inflammation.

The bark of the tree consists of tannins and astringents, which are used in the manufacture herbal remedies used in the treatment of tumors. Cherimoya is good antioxidant, cleanses the body of harmful compounds and prevents the development of inflammatory processes. Alimentary fiber cleanse the intestines of toxins.

Harm

The pulp contains a lot of sugar and carbohydrates, so you need to be very careful when eating fruits for people with diabetes. It is not recommended to eat fruit with individual intolerance. It is very important to remember that cherimoya seeds are poisonous, the juice of the fruit is dangerous for the eyes, it can lead to loss of vision.

Application in cooking

Cermoya is very tasty raw. The fruits are cut in half and the flesh is eaten with a spoon, or peeled with a knife. The fruits are used in the preparation of various fruit salads, desserts, pies, bakery products, sauces, pulp is used to make ice cream, sherbet, parfait, cold drinks and cocktails. If the cherimoya juice ferments, it makes delicious alcoholic drink. You can add the pulp of the fruit to cakes, cakes and jellies. The fruit goes well with dairy products and flour products.

Recipes

tropical sauce

Ingredients:

• 250 g of Baby bananas;
• 500 g of cherimoya pulp;
• 1.175 g peeled pineapple;
• 1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg;
• 1 tsp cinnamon.

Cooking:

1. Grind the pineapple and put it together with the juice in a blender bowl.
2. Add peeled and chopped bananas, cherry pulp and spices.
3. Put the sauce in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours.
4. Serve cold or slightly warm.

The sauce is perfect for ice cream, desserts, pies and pancakes.

fruit bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cherimoya pulp;
• 0.5 stack. almonds or walnuts;
• 0.5 tsp vanilla;
• 1/3 stack. shortening;
• 2 eggs;
• 2 tbsp. l. milk;
• 0.5 tsp soda;
• 1 ¼ tsp baking powder;
• 0.5 stack. brown sugar;
• 0.5 stack. white sugar;
• 300 g flour;
• 0.5 tsp salt.

Cooking:

1. Combine flour, sugar, soda and loosen.
2. In a bowl, mix well the eggs, shortening, cherimoya puree, vanilla and milk;
3. Combine both mixtures and mix thoroughly until smooth. You don't need to use a mixer.
4. Add chopped nuts to the prepared mass.
5. Grease a 23 cm diameter mold with oil and lay out the dough. Bake for 50-60 minutes at 180 degrees.

Application in medicine

Chermoya is very useful fruit and has been used by man since ancient times. traditional medicine. A special infusion is prepared from the seeds, which helps against lice and fleas, the seed extract is used as a repellant against various insects. Roasted seeds are a strong emetic. A decoction of dried cherimoya peel is used to treat colds and complications in diseases of the bronchi and lungs. The fruits are used to eliminate age spots and rosacea. The bark and fruit are used in the treatment of gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Cherimoya helps with anemia, slows down the aging of the body and skin. Dried pulp is used for poisoning. IN South America peel tea helps with pneumonia. Fruits are used as a sedative and anticonvulsant, to relieve anxiety.

How to choose

At first glance, it is not so easy to choose a ripe and edible fruit. Especially if he meets for the first time. When buying cherimoyu in stores or on the market, pay attention to the following indicators:

• the more purple or brown spots on the peel, the more ripe the fruit;
• if the fruit is shaken, the sound of seeds that have already separated from the pulp will be heard in the ripe;
• the aroma of a good and ripe cherimoya fruit is very pleasant and sweet;
• if you press lightly ripe fruit, in softness it resembles an avocado. Green cherimoya is firm and heavy.

Storage

You can also purchase an unripe fruit and leave it in a bright place for 2 days, where it will successfully ripen. If the fruit lies in the sun for a long time, it will overripe and begin to ferment. It will be impossible to eat such a fruit. Ripe cherimoya is placed in paper bags and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

cultivation

Cherimoya is a rather rare fruit for our country, but you can grow it on your windowsill using the seeds of a ripe fruit. Landing is carried out in several stages:

• remove the bones from a well-ripened fruit;
• rinse them well from the pulp using settled warm water;
• soak seeds before planting warm water so that the dense shell softens a little;
• plant one seed at a time in separate containers using light, fertile soil. Planting depth is not more than 1 cm;
• moisten the soil with the stone well using a spray bottle.

A pot with a bone should be in a room where the air temperature is 27-30 degrees. The soil must not dry out. If all planting conditions are met, shoots will appear in 10 days. Sprouts often need to get rid of the shell, as it is hard and hard to come off. It is important not to miss this moment so that the fragile sprout does not die. This must be done very carefully, using tweezers.

Shoots grow quite quickly and after a while you will need to transplant into a larger pot. Cherimoya is transplanted by transshipment and added to the soil a little mineral fertilizers.

For a grown and adult plant in summer time optimum temperature- 18-25 degrees, in winter - 10-14 degrees. Cherimoya loves dry air, so even in the heat it is not necessary to spray it abundantly.

The plant begins to bear fruit at 4 or 5 years of age, it does not need a vaccination, but it will need to independently cross-pollinate. The only difficulty is that pollen ripens in the morning, and the pistil is ready to receive it only in the afternoon, when it is no longer suitable for fertilization. But you can solve this problem in the following way: In the morning, use a soft brush to collect the pollen in a paper bag and put it in the refrigerator. By evening, carefully transfer it to the stigma of the pistils of female flowers. Remember that pollen can only be stored in the refrigerator for a few hours.

The branches of the plant are fragile, during dormancy they grow rapidly. You need to save only strong single shoots that can withstand the weight of the fruit. The remaining branches are cut at an angle of 60 or 90 degrees. IN next years 2/3 of last year's grown branches are removed, 6-7 buds are left for the growth of new shoots. This will help keep the tree in shape and prevent it from growing too large.

Cherimoya is a tree that grows in countries with a subtropical or temperate climate. In height, it can reach up to 9 meters. These trees have quite large leaves, the maximum length of which is 15 cm, and the width is 9 cm. Cherimoya blooms very beautifully. Its flowers are buds of three rather fleshy dense petals, inside of which 3 more petals grow, but smaller in size. Cherimoya flowers grow tightly pressed against the branches. The tree begins to bear fruit already in the fourth or fifth year after planting. But the largest number fruit appears on it after about the 6th year. Then in one season you can collect more than 200 delicious fruits. Cherimoya fruits are shaped like a cone and are divided into segments. They come in different sizes, the largest fruits are 20 cm long and 10 cm in diameter. The pulp of this exotic fruit is creamy in texture and has a white color. It contains black seeds, their number usually does not exceed 20 pieces. The weight of cherimoya can also be different - from 0.5 to 3 kilograms.

The cherry tree is also sometimes called the "ice cream tree". This strange name was received by the tree for the taste and appearance of the fruit. Indeed, if you freeze this fruit, then both in texture and taste it will resemble ice cream. Its taste is really very delicate and sweet, a bit like an apple. Therefore, sometimes it is also called "cream apple". And gourmets say that the taste of cherimoya is a mixture of papaya, pineapple, mango and strawberries. In Chile, this ice cream is very common. The fruit is simply frozen and placed in waffle cups.

Cherimoya is native to Ecuador, Colombia and Peru. However, now it is cultivated in many other countries - Chile, Venezuela, Spain, China, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand. This tree has been known for centuries. During archaeological research on the territory of Peru, the seeds of cherimoya were found, which grew there even before the appearance of the Inca tribes on this land. However, trees were found a thousand kilometers from this place.

Cherimoya got its name from the Incas. Translated from Quechua, the language of the Indian tribe of the Incas, "cherimoya" means "cold seeds". Researchers believe that the tree was so named due to its hardiness. There are no fruit-bearing trees in Peru that could withstand such low temperatures like cherimoya. In the southwestern part of Ecuador, you can still grow whole groves of wild cherimoya.

Composition of cherimoya

quite rich in various useful substances. However, it is quite low in calories. For 100 g of the edible part of the fruit, there are only 74 kcal. As with any fruit, cherimoya has the most carbohydrates (15.4 grams per 100 grams of fruit), proteins in 100 g of cherimoya are about 1.65 grams, and fats are 0.62 grams. Cherimoya is a fairly watery fruit, with about 79 grams of water per 100 g of its pulp. Of the vitamins in this fruit, vitamin C is the most, there is also a group B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9) and PP. Cherimoya is also rich in minerals, especially potassium (269 grams per 100 grams of pulp), it also contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, manganese, copper, zinc and iron. The composition of this fruit also includes such useful substances as folic, citric and succinic acid, sucrose, cellulose, riboflavin, thiamine, glucose, lingins and pepsins.

Useful properties of cherimoya

It is not difficult to guess that the rich vitamin composition cherimoya, as well as the content of many other useful substances in it, makes this fruit not only tasty, but also very useful. Thanks to its low calorie content, cherimoyu can be safely eaten instead of confectionery without fear of spoiling the figure. For those who want to enjoy sweets and at the same time not get better, this great option. In addition, cherimoya has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and stomach.

Cherimoya is also used as a medicine. The fact is that this fruit has antibacterial properties. And the leaves and stems of the tree contain specific alkaloids: reticulin, michelalbin, annonine and lidriodenine. Cherimoya seeds and leaves contain a large number of essential oil, which is an excellent insecticide. This material is usually used to make alcohol solution, which quickly copes with lice. An extract is also made from it, which serves as an insect repellent (mosquitoes and other blood-sucking).

Some countries use the relaxing properties of the cherimoya fruit.. Also used to treat diseases of the stomach and as a laxative. The Indians believe that cherimoya can prevent the appearance of tumors. It also helps with food poisoning. To do this, the dried fruits are crushed to a state of powder and take 2 tablespoons.

How to eat cherimoya

Cherimoya is eaten both raw and cooked different ways . This exotic fruit is especially popular in confectionery. Since the pulp of the fruit is very tender and watery, that is, it should be with a spoon, cutting the fruit into two halves. It is important to know that cherimoya seeds should not be eaten. They are inedible and can even be harmful. digestive system usually spit them out.

If you freeze the pulp of cherimoya, you can get something like tropical sherbet or ice cream. Also pulp cherimoya can be added to yoghurts, cakes, pastries and others dessert dishes and confectionery.

Can you do it with cherimoya? exotic cocktail , which will be called "Cherimoya Daiquiri". To prepare it, you need to take 0.5 cups of fruit pulp, 0.5 cups light rum, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, 25 ml of Curacao liqueur and lime juice and about 400 grams of ice cream without additives. All these ingredients must be cooled and mixed with a blender. Cherimoya Daiquiri is served chilled.

Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are considered to be the birthplace of this exotic fruit. To be precise, these are the foothills of the Andes, where the local peoples dubbed this fruit the hardiest of the annon family. Also, cherimoya is often found in Brazil and Australia, in a word, in countries that are famous for gourmet cuisine with the addition of spicy and healthy ingredients exotic fruits. This tree has been known for a very long time, but those who live in Spain and Portugal are the most fortunate: they can enjoy the annual harvest of its fruits, the so-called "ice cream fruits", to their fullest.

This fruit got its name because of its taste, some chefs are very fond of preparing cherimoya in ice cream, freezing and serving in a waffle cup. And this is not surprising: the frozen cherimoya fruit has the texture and even the taste of ice cream, namely, a delicate and sweet creamy shade that vaguely resembles an apple. Gourmets claim that this is a unique blend of mango, papaya, strawberry and pineapple. Children especially like it, because the mixture of the sweet taste of cherimoya and its beneficial properties leaves a memory of it for a long time.

If we talk about the type of tree - it is about 9 meters high, large leaves and fleshy buds of petals distinguish this tree from many others. First of all, its beauty. After all, during the fruiting period, the cherimoya is covered big amount fruits similar to green apples, 20 centimeters in diameter, which grow very close to the branches. The texture of the fruit is like a cream. white color, and inside there are oblong black seeds. Fruits, as a rule, are heavy - from 0.5 to 3.5 kilograms.

How to choose

This exotic fruit in all respects has several important species features, according to which it should be chosen. First of all, you should pay attention to the color of its peel: it is he who determines its ripeness. If it has a lot of purple and brown spots, you can be sure of its ripeness, the more the better. You should also pay attention to the characteristic sound of seeds inside the fruit, with a slight shaking of the fruit. Some Exotic fruits have an unpleasant aroma, even if they are sweet in taste, but not cherimoya - it gives out a characteristic sweet smell that indicates its ripeness. The softness of avocados is also inherent in already ripened fruits. At the time of buying this fruit you can safely choose, using the above parameters, and store it at home, in the refrigerator. The shelf life of the fruit can be from 3 to 5 days, subject to the use of a paper bag.

calories

Cherimoya despite its sweet creamy taste, has only 100 grams wet weight 74 calories. But this is on condition that a person is not overweight: such people are contraindicated in the use of cherimoya due to the high concentration of sugar, which gives its pulp this sweet aftertaste.

Nutritional value in 100 grams

If you decide to buy and try cherimoya, you can be sure of its rich useful composition, it's just a storehouse of vitamins and minerals for the body. It's rich enough water base fruit, for its 100 grams of pulp about 78 grams of water. Most of all, of course, carbohydrates, as in any other fruit: about 15.5 grams, it is not saturated with fats (0.60 grams), and only 1.65 grams of proteins. Cherimoya is also rich in minerals and vitamins. Especially it has a lot of vitamin C, B, and minerals of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and iron. This is all that is needed to maintain the desired metabolic rate and oxygen saturation. blood vessels in our body. Substances such as sucrose, cellulose, citric acid and folic acid, pepsins, thiamine and riboflavin are also part of this fruit.

Beneficial features

Due to its variety of useful substances, cherimoya is widely used, primarily in medicine, or simply for the prevention of diseases, to strengthen the immune system. Not only fruits have healing properties, but also the leaves and bark of cherimoya - they are used as antibacterial substances. cook healing tea from the leaves is very easy, it has a laxative, relaxing and soothing property. There is also an opinion that fruit castings are used as a remedy against tumors.

As for the fruits themselves, cherimoya has a direct effect on the liver, improving its functioning, normalizing the acidity of the stomach, and kidney function. Also, despite increased content sugar, it promotes weight loss. So you can eat ripe fruits instead of harmful confectionery, without fear of weight gain.