What does feijoa look like? Ripe feijoa: how to identify quality fruits
Few of us know what feijoa is and where it grows. This exotic berry became known relatively recently. Feijoa belongs to a species of evergreen tree-like shrubs of the Myrtle family. It is a valuable fruit crop, grown in countries with a subtropical climate.
Origin and distribution
In the forests of Brazil, this plant was first seen and described by the German botanist and naturalist Friedrich Sello in the middle of the 19th century. In the wild, the tree grew as undergrowth in northern Argentina, Uruguay, and the southern regions of Colombia and Brazil. And the fruit received its name in honor of the director of the Lisbon Museum of Natural History, a very famous plant researcher, writer Joanie de Silva Feijó.
At the end of the 19th century, the plant found its way into warm climates. Mediterranean countries. The French were the first to appreciate it unusual taste. A few years later, its cuttings were brought to Yalta and Sukhumi. In Italy, feijoa appeared in the second decade of the twentieth century, and from there it spread to nearby countries. A little later he was recognized in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Where and how does feijoa grow now? Currently, the tree is cultivated in many countries, namely Italy, USA, France, Spain, Thailand, Portugal, Greece. The reserves of the Caucasus can boast of its presence. The plant has taken root well in Russia (in Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory), as well as in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Abkhazia. It grows well in the subtropics, but does not tolerate the tropics. Withstands slight colds of -2…- 10°C.
The plant does very well in New Zealand. The fruits grown in this country are considered the largest and most delicious. Due to the absence of natural insect pests there, the crop is little treated with chemicals and the berries are environmentally cleaner than those grown in other regions.
Description and properties
What does feijoa look like? The tree is very beautiful, not very tall (up to 4 m), with a spreading crown and a very branched root system. The leaf blades are almost round, shiny and leathery. Top part The leaves are dark green, and the lower ones are much lighter, almost gray and slightly pubescent. The flowers are large, pink-white, with numerous stamens and bloom for a very long time. The plant is dioecious and pollinated by insects. The tree is decorative and can be grown not only for its fruits.
The first cultivated variety is called Andre, named after the French botanist Edouard Andre who brought it from Brazil. On its basis, varieties such as Superba, Coolidge, and Choiceana were bred. Besson is grown in India. Russian breeders have developed their own varieties of this fruit - these are Pervenets, Crimean early, Svetly, Nikitsky and others.
The feijoa fruit is an oval berry, shaped like a kiwi. But the taste is more like pineapple, strawberry and kiwi combined. It can be described like this:
oval shape;
the peel is dense, shiny, light green in color;
the pulp is almost transparent and light, with small seeds;
length 3-6 cm (rarely 7 cm);
diameter 2-5 cm;
weight 20-110 g.
Feijoa berry has many beneficial properties. It is even considered a champion in terms of utility. There are such useful qualities:
Is natural and very valuable source Yoda. Its water-soluble form is very well absorbed by the body. In terms of the content of this element, the berry is ahead of algae, sea fish and various seafood. Only 3 fruits can satisfy our daily requirement in iodine. Used for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by deficiency of this element.
It contains almost all groups of vitamins and many useful substances (microelements, sucrose, fiber, pectins, etc.). The fruits are especially rich in vitamin C, which makes it possible to use it to fight colds and boost overall immunity.
It is an excellent tonic and general strengthening agent due to the presence of essential oils and vitamins.
Has very low calorie content- 49 kcal per 100 g, which allows it to be used in dietetics.
By brewing the peel that contains essential oils, you can do inhalations to relieve swelling and nasal congestion.
It prevents atherosclerosis, vitamin deficiency and anemia.
Improves blood composition, helps work of cardio-vascular system and intestines.
Masks from the fruit are used in cosmetology to relieve inflammation and tighten the skin.
The fruit also has some contraindications for consumption. Not recommended:
with hyperthyroidism ( increased content thyroid hormone);
with diabetes mellitus (due to great content sugars);
children under one year old;
during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
in case of individual intolerance.
Feijoa is used as food pure form(with and without peel) and in the form of various culinary dishes. It is used to prepare salads, drinks, yoghurts, jams, compotes, juices and much more.
You can see this amazing plant not only in pictures. It is very common on the Black Sea coast of our country. It is quite possible to grow a tree with your own hands; it will even bear fruit.
Feijoa – quite unusual berry for our latitudes. It contains many useful substances, micro- and macroelements. The fruit has pleasant taste, combining a mixture of strawberries, pineapple and kiwi. It is extremely rarely seen on store shelves, and the lack of awareness of most of us about this berry forces us to pass it by. You will find out where feijoa grows below.
Feijoa is a healthy berry
Where does the tree grow? It was first discovered in South America by a Portuguese breeder, and it was named after him. Currently it grows in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, and other warm Mediterranean countries, where the plant was introduced in the 20th century. A little later, they learned about feijoa in the Caucasus and Central Asia, whose conditions were ideal for its cultivation.
Interesting fact: the tree was originally grown to decorate local areas and premises. This was explained by the flowering of unique beauty. The flowers of the plant have a bluish-red tint and an unusual tuft. Only a few years later people began to taste the strange berries and began to use them in medicine and cosmetology.
Does the tree grow in Russia?
Where does feijoa grow in Russia? It really grows in our seemingly not very warm climate. For example, feijoas feel great in the Krasnodar region, as well as in other republics - Georgia, Armenia, Abkhazia and Azerbaijan.
The plant has adapted well to our not entirely favorable conditions. The fruits of the tree ripen in winter period, when the human body most needs to be replenished with various beneficial substances.
Many people eat this sweet ball V in the usual form, and some make jam. Moreover, it is stored for quite a long time in the refrigerator, and in the summer in Abkhazia they make delicious tonic drinks from it, and it is only diluted with water.
Does the tree grow in Ukraine?
You ask: “Where do berries grow in Ukraine?” The answer is simple - Crimea (but now it belongs to Russia), and they are very popular because they are not only dietary product, but also due to a lack of iodine in the water.
If you look at the statistics, Crimea is in the forefront in terms of morbidity, which is why experts advise local residents to include the fruit in their diet.
When does feijoa ripen?
The fruit ripening season is late autumn. Traditionally, the most best time November is considered the month for berry picking. By this period, all the benefits accumulate in them.
They should be purchased in the store in winter time of the year. When purchasing, you should carefully examine the berries; if you see a green stalk, then the fruit has been cut off and should not be purchased.
Need to know: ripe fruits They themselves fall to the ground, where they are subsequently collected.
How to grow a plant at home?
Growing a tree in an apartment begins with sowing seeds. Where can I find planting material? It’s extremely easy to get, you just need a few fresh feijoa berries. If they have been stored for a long time, the seeds may not sprout. In order to remove the planting material, it is necessary to trim the berry near the tail, then squeeze the mass into a sieve and thoroughly rinse the contents until all the pulp has disappeared. After this, the planting material is dipped into a weak solution of potassium permanganate for a few seconds.
Feijoa shoots
Now we prepare the soil for planting: leaf soil, peat and river sand. They must be taken in a ratio of 2:2:1. Then we fill the planting container with soil and sow. We lay the planting material shallowly about one centimeter from the surface of the earth. Next, use a spray bottle to spray the top layer of soil so that it becomes moist. Then we put the container on the windowsill.
The air temperature in the room should be within 15 - 20 degrees.
If everything was done correctly, the first shoots will appear after a month, and after another 2 weeks the first leaves will emerge. After 8 leaves appear on the plant, you need to plant each seedling in a separate pot.
After the feijoa grows 30 cm from the ground, it is necessary to begin forming a crown. The branches are cut in half. This process promotes the rapid formation of skeletal branches. Next, you just need to remove dried and weak branches.
This tree is light-loving, so it is better to place the pot on trays on the south side. Don’t be alarmed when the feijoa sheds its leaves in the fall and stands “naked” throughout the winter. If this does not suit you, you need to purchase fluorescent lamps.
The plant loves water very much. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, otherwise the leaves of the tree will begin to dry out and fall off. The same thing can happen to the root of a plant.
In winter, in addition to watering, feijoa must be sprayed with a spray bottle.
Feijoa needs additional feeding. In the first year, the tree is fertilized twice a month. As a rule, complex fertilizers or manure are used for this, which is diluted with water. Before applying fertilizer, the plant should be watered.
The tree begins to bear fruit 5-6 years after planting. Berries obtained at home taste no different from fruits grown in the garden.
Unique properties of feijoa, composition and calorie content
For those who are hearing about this plant for the first time, I would like to tell you about the unique composition of its fruits. They contain:
- Coarse fiber;
- Malic and ascorbic acids, etc.
Interesting fact: the content of all useful substances increases as the fruit ripens.
In warm countries, where the plant has been growing for quite a long time, I know everything, it contains unique substances, which help the body fight and also slow down the aging process. This especially applies to the peel of the fruit, although it tastes astringent, so many people peel the berry before eating.
As a preventive measure during cold and flu season, experts recommend these plant berries come in handy. The fruits perfectly strengthen a person.
It is important to know: berries do not cause allergies. That is why everyone, without exception, can enjoy the pleasant taste of the fruit.
The calorie content of berries is 50 kcal per 100 grams of product.
The healing properties of berries for men
Beneficial properties of feijoa for men
The stronger sex values the fruits of the tree as a prophylactic against many male ailments. The beneficial properties of berries for males include a positive effect on the reproductive and genitourinary systems.
Regular consumption of the product prevents inflammation and helps with impotence.
Use of other parts of the plant
Lotions made from the bark and leaves of the tree are used as an antiseptic. This product has a disinfectant effect and is used to heal small wounds.
A decoction of the leaves saves from and also helps to get rid of bleeding gums.
Tree flowers can be added to some dishes, for example, salads.
The peel does not have to be thrown away; it should be dried and added to tea.
Use of fruits in cosmetology
Despite the fact that such a product is rich in all kinds of vitamins and other equally useful substances, it is useful not only for health, but is also widely used in cosmetology. Various masks are made from the fruits, which have a rejuvenating effect and also perfectly protect the skin from the influence of negative factors.
Recipes for the best and most effective remedies:
- Rejuvenating mask. For preparation you will need one fruit of the plant. It is necessary to remove all the pulp from it and thoroughly mash it to a puree. Take 2 tbsp from the resulting mass, mix with 1 tsp. honey and 1 tbsp. olive or vegetable. Mix the ingredients well and apply the mixture to your face. Keep for 10 minutes, then rinse.
- Product for dry skin types. Remove the pulp from the berries and mash into a puree. From this mass we take 1 tbsp. mix with 1 tbsp. cottage cheese and 1 tsp. cream. Mix all ingredients well; the consistency should resemble sour cream. Distribute the mixture onto your face for about 15 minutes, then wash off.
- Product for oily skin types. Just like the previous time, you need to make puree. Pour one egg white into a container chicken egg, 1 tbsp. puree and 1 tsp. honey Mix all the ingredients and apply the contents to the face, leave for about a quarter of an hour and rinse with cold water.
- Product for all skin types. For cooking you need to take: 2 tbsp. berry puree, a small amount of juice and starch (need to be added gradually until the consistency of the mass begins to resemble sour cream), mix well and distribute on the face. Leave for a quarter of an hour, after which the mask must be washed off.
- Anti-aging agent. You will need 2 tbsp. berry puree, 1 tsp. almond oil, mix the ingredients well. Keep the mixture on your face for about 15 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
The use of the fruits of such unique plant in the manufacture of various masks is due to the fact that they not only have an excellent effect on the skin, but also have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it is used for all skin types and at absolutely any age. You can also add a little fruit pulp to the finished mask.
Contraindications
The main contraindication of the product is individual intolerance, which can cause an allergic reaction. If you are trying the berries of this plant for the first time, it is better to eat one fruit and observe the body’s reaction.
Who is contraindicated for feijoa berries?
It is also worth limiting the consumption of berries for obese people.
You should not eat the fruits of the plant during pregnancy and lactation. Before doing this, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
You should not feed small children fruit pulp without first consulting a pediatrician.
Berries are contraindicated for diseases such as thyrotoxicosis.
In addition, you should not eat spoiled fruits and do not overeat.
How to peel fruits?
Looking at this exotic fruit It is extremely difficult to understand how to use it. If you bought unripe berries, they should be added to bananas. When they ripen - this is very easy to understand - the fruits will become soft. They are cut in half and the pulp is scooped out with a teaspoon. If the skin is clean and free of blemishes, it can be eaten or dried and then added as a flavoring to a drink.
How many fruits can you eat daily?
For the fruits to bring maximum benefit, it is enough to eat 5 berries daily. But what about in spring, summer and autumn? In the off-season, it is recommended to use jam with honey from such fruits. Daily norm in this case, it is no more than 3 tbsp.
How to choose berries?
Learning to choose the right feijoa
If the fruits have a glossy shine, a matte finish, or wrinkles, feel free to take them. But brown spots on the skin are a sign of rot. Berries with green skin should also not be taken, this indicates the immaturity of the product.
The size of the berries depends on the variety. The largest ones are imported from New Zealand, but to be delivered they are picked unripe.
Medium fruits grow in Azerbaijan. But the smallest berries are brought to us from the Krasnodar region.
If, when cut, the middle turns out to be white, then this indicates that it is unripe. The pulp of a ripe berry is transparent, beige or pinkish in color.
If the fruit is brown when cut open, it is a sign of rot.
The aroma depends on the plant variety. The taste is pleasant with a slight sourness, combines a mixture of some fruits and berries.
How to store berries?
In those places where plants are grown, fruits are allowed to be stored for no more than a month. They are transferred to paper bags or boxes and put away in cool place. Berries that have traveled a long way to us, their shelf life is reduced.
The fruits of the plant purchased in the store are stored for no more than a week. But after processing they keep everything useful material for a long time. To do this, chop the berries and add sugar to them in a 1:1 ratio along with the peel and put the container with the contents in the refrigerator.
Alternative Medicine Recipes
To prepare the medicine, take ripe feijoa berries, peel and other parts of the plant. Should not be taken medicines while eating. It is recommended to do this 30 minutes before or after meals.
- For pathologies of the thyroid gland.
We need 1 tbsp. l. leaves of the plant, they should be filled hot water and leave for 30 minutes. Drink the infusion 2 times a day, and you can add
The beneficial properties and contraindications of feijoa are due to its unusually rich vitamin composition. This exotic fruit, originally from Brazil, is not only part of dietary dishes of various kinds, but is also used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases: diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis, gout, chronic colitis and pyelonephritis. In addition, the benefits of the pulp and peel of the fruit have been proven in cosmetology.
Feijoa: fruit or berry
Feijoa (also Akka Sellova or Akka Feijoa) is a type of evergreen shrub cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates. In Russia, this fruit is grown in the Transcaucasus, Crimea and Krasnodar Territory.
These are large, fleshy berries with a lumpy skin. Their weight varies from 20 to 120 g depending on the variety. The diameter of the fruit is 2-5 cm, the length is 2-7 cm. Despite their rather large size, feijoa fruits are considered berries.
These berries are shaped like kiwi. The taste of the pulp is soft, sour, with notes of strawberries and pineapple. The seeds are small and practically unnoticeable. The color of the peel varies depending on the subspecies of the fruit: it can be colored in either light yellow-green tones or dark green shades. Sometimes the surface of the berry is covered with a thin anthocyanin coating.
The fruits are recommended to be consumed in fresh, however, they do not lose their beneficial properties even when heat treatment. This quality of the berry explains such a variety of feijoa recipes. They are used to prepare:
- compotes and juices;
- sour or sweet and sour sauces;
- preserves, jam, jam and marmalade;
- minced fruit for stuffing fish;
- marshmallows;
- liqueurs, liqueurs and wine.
How to eat feijoa: with or without peel
The benefits of fruits are best preserved when consumed fresh. To do this, the fruit is cut in half and the soft pulp is eaten out with a spoon, but the peel of the fruit can also be eaten - it is no less useful than the pulp of this fruit, since it contains many biologically active components. In particular, due to the high concentration of antioxidants in the peel of the berries, feijoa is used in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
However, the skin of the berries is rarely eaten fresh, because it tastes quite unpleasant. It is usually dried and used to make tea. In addition, the tart, astringent taste of the fruit can be softened by dressing when adding berries to fruit salads. In other words, whether to eat feijoa with or without peel is up to everyone to decide for themselves.
The fruits remain fresh for 7 to 20 days, depending on how they are stored.
How to clean feijoa
In the traditional sense of the word, this fruit is not peeled. When feijoa ripens, the fruit becomes soft. It is carefully cut in the middle and the pulp is eaten with a teaspoon without touching the peel.
Nutritional value and composition of feijoa
Feijoa is the only fruit in the world whose iodine content is higher than that of any seafood. This high concentration makes it useful in treating thyroid problems. Moreover, iodine is found in fruits in a water-soluble state, which is why the body quickly absorbs this element. Fresh berries are a rich source of vitamin C and fiber, but these elements vitamin composition fruits is not limited. They contain:
- B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic and folic acids, pyridoxine);
- proteins fats carbohydrates;
- sucrose;
- pectin substances;
- essential oils;
- flavonoids – plant polyphenols that have an antitumor effect;
- saponins - biologically active ingredients regulating water-salt metabolism in the body;
- antioxidants (biologically active components kakhetin and leukoanthocin);
- micro- and macroelements (calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus).
The calorie content of feijoa is 49 kcal.
What are the benefits of feijoa for the body?
The high concentration of vitamins B and C determines the widespread use of this fruit in the treatment and prevention of vitamin deficiency. In terms of the amount of iodine contained in its fruits, feijoa surpasses even red fish, so including the fruit in the daily diet brings considerable benefits in restoring pancreatic function.
Regular moderate consumption of these berries has the following effects on the human body:
- the function of nerve endings improves;
- the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease is reduced;
- the functioning of the thyroid gland is restored;
- goiter growth is prevented;
- wounds heal better;
- the risk of developing osteoporosis is reduced;
- memory improves;
- blood quality improves;
- general irritability and weakness, depression decreases;
- prevention of tumor and colds occurs;
- the functioning of the lungs and brain improves.
Feijoa: beneficial properties for men
The benefits of feijoa fruit for men include the prevention and treatment of prostatitis. It has been scientifically proven that eating 2-3 fruits a day prevents re-inflammation of the prostate gland. In addition, since the list of beneficial properties of the berry includes normalizing the activity of the endocrine gland, small portions of the fruit are recommended for consumption during hormonal therapy.
What are the benefits of feijoa for women?
The benefits of feijoa for a woman’s body are, first of all, dietary properties its fruits. Feijoa is recommended to be consumed during a diet by women who want to lose weight. These berries contain substances that have a stimulating effect on metabolism, which has a positive effect on a woman’s figure.
Important! When eating fresh fruit instead confectionery The first results will be noticeable within a week.
The fruits of the berries have also found their use in cosmetology - their benefits in stimulating the regenerative processes of the upper layers of the skin are incredible. Masks made from feijoa pulp have a rejuvenating effect on the skin and smooth out deep wrinkles. The crushed peel is used to create local applications to reduce redness and irritation on the skin.
Feijoa during pregnancy
The diet of pregnant women should be rich and balanced, so during this period doctors recommend diversifying it with feijoa. Daily use at least one fruit has a beneficial effect on the growing child’s body:
- Folates contained in fruit pulp stimulate hematopoietic processes.
- The plant fibers that these berries are rich in help prevent frequent constipation during pregnancy and after childbirth.
- During pregnancy, it is recommended to include iodine-containing foods in the diet, and feijoa is even superior to seafood in this parameter.
Feijoa can be consumed by pregnant women either fresh or after processing.
Important! Feijoa is especially useful to eat during the 11-12th week of pregnancy, when the baby's thyroid gland is intensively developing.
Feijoa during breastfeeding
The high iron content in the fruit makes these berries closer to pomegranates. This element is necessary to strengthen the immune system of nursing mothers and their children, so consuming feijoa in moderation is mandatory when breastfeeding, but this should be approached with caution. Berries are included in the diet only a month after birth. Intensive consumption of fruit during pregnancy will bring rather harm than benefit.
Is feijoa ok for children?
Feijoa extremely rarely causes an allergic reaction in the body, but it is given to young children with great caution. Despite the extensive list of beneficial properties, its benefits are most fully revealed when consumed by adults. The fact is that the child’s body is not able to well absorb some of the elements that make up this fruit, so problems with work are possible gastrointestinal tract at excessive consumption berries
The use of feijoa in medicine
IN folk medicine The pulp and peel of the fruit are used to prepare a variety of infusions, decoctions and solutions. The variety of remedies is due to the extensive list of beneficial properties of the berry, but eating fresh berries also brings no less benefits.
Decoctions from the leaves, bark and fruits of the plant are used as an antiseptic disinfectant, which is used to treat small wounds, abrasions and rinse oral cavity with bleeding gums. Such decoctions also relieve acute toothache.
Fresh berries act as a useful dietary supplement for gastritis and pyelonephritis. In addition, these exotic fruits strengthen the immune system and increase the body's resistance. colds, have pronounced antidepressant properties. To treat influenza, a squeeze of essential oils from berries and a variety of jams are used.
The benefits of the fruit are undeniable when overworked - with increased mental stress, the fruit reduces chronic fatigue, drowsiness and irritability. Berries are also prescribed for thyroid dysfunction.
Regular consumption of feijoa is an effective medicinal and preventive remedy for normalization blood pressure, since these berries are rich in potassium. Finally, the fruits relieve symptoms of toxicosis.
Beneficial properties of feijoa for the thyroid gland
Feijoa accumulates iodine well, so the fruit is extremely useful food supplement in case of violation proper operation thyroid gland. To treat goiter, prepare the following infusion:
- crushed 1 tbsp. l. fresh leaves berries;
- the crushed leaves are poured into a glass container and poured with 1 cup of boiling water;
- the mixture is infused for half an hour, after which the infusion is ready for use.
Dosage: 1 glass 2 times a day. If desired, you can add honey to the infusion.
Important! Not all varieties are rich in iodine. There is practically no it in berries from Batumi, so using such fruits to normalize the function of the thyroid gland is completely pointless - their benefit in this case is minimal.
Feijoa for diabetes
Consumption of feijoa for diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2 is not prohibited. Moreover, recent scientific studies have confirmed the benefits of the berry for pancreatic dysfunction, but take the fruit in small quantities. They are rich in sucrose, therefore, in order to avoid increased blood sugar levels in diabetes, feijoa is consumed fresh or as part of tea. Thus, the potential of all beneficial properties will be fully revealed.
Beneficial properties of feijoa jam
The benefit of feijoa jam is that this dessert not only retains many beneficial substances during heat treatment, but is also recommended for use for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, cancer and inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, when the product is included in the daily diet, the human body’s immune system is generally strengthened. Finally, its benefits have long been confirmed in the treatment of colds and viral diseases.
Prepare jam as follows:
- Squeeze juice from 1 orange;
- 500 g of berries are crushed without removing the peel;
- the crushed mass is boiled for 10 minutes;
- after this time, sugar and orange juice are added to the water;
- Then the fruits are boiled until the mass thickens, after which the jam can be poured into jars.
The benefits of feijoa jam are due to its rich composition fresh fruits, which are used to prepare this dessert. In particular, beneficial features The benefits of berries are due to the high concentration of vitamin C, fiber, sucrose, pectin and malic acid.
For more information on making jam, watch the video below:
Contraindications for taking feijoa
Including feijoa in the diet can bring both benefits and considerable harm. They are contraindicated in case of individual intolerance and diabetes mellitus due to high content sucrose.
Also, the high concentration of iodine in this fruit poses a health hazard for people with hyperthyroidism. Special harm High-calorie fruits will benefit people who are overweight. In addition, an overdose of iodine is dangerous for the functioning of the thyroid gland.
Important! You cannot combine berries with milk, since the pectin substances contained in the fruits do not combine with lactose and therefore neutralize all the beneficial properties of the product. Combining any dairy products with this fruit can negatively affect the functioning of the digestive system.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties and contraindications of feijoa require some caution when consuming its fruits. The pulp and peel of fruits are rich in vitamins, nutrients and, undoubtedly, bring great benefits to the body, but an oversaturation with them is just as harmful as their deficiency. In addition, the place where the berries grow is of considerable importance - fruits grown in areas with iodine-poor soil, for example, are practically useless for stimulating the thyroid gland.
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Feijoa is exotic for Slavic people, but for residents of the tropics it is a familiar fruit, often eaten. The fruit tree grows in a subtropical climate and is used not only for food, but also for medicinal purposes. If you know the beneficial properties and contraindications of feijoa, you can enrich your body valuable substances. The population of South America, New Zealand, and Brazil knows this, and they often use the fruit in their diet.
Today, there are more places where feijoa grows. The tree was cultivated in the southern regions of Russia (Krasnodar Territory), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Australia. Therefore, these healing berries have become more accessible and closer.
What is feijoa? Fruit or berry?
The feijoa fruit is an oblong berry with a smooth, dense green rind. The soft juicy pulp resembles a combination of several fruits: strawberry, kiwi, pineapple. The fruit is edible entirely including the peel, but not everyone likes its taste. You can determine its ripeness by color: if the flesh is white, the fruit is not ripe; if it is brown, then it is overripe. An ideally ripe fruit has a transparent core.
Chemical composition of feijoa fruit
- Microelements and macroelements necessary to maintain immunity and the normal course of all chemical processes in the human body. Feijoa is especially rich in the elements of iodine, necessary to maintain the functions of the thyroid gland, as well as iron, which is involved in the transfer of oxygen, magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus.
- B vitamins that support work nervous system.
- Vitamins C and A, strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
- Amino acids (arginine, tyrosine, aspartic, glutamic) involved in the formation of proteins in the human body.
- Essential oils and tannins.
Beneficial properties for women and men
For women, the fruit is especially useful during pregnancy, when the body of the expectant mother needs a large amount of iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium. All trace elements are contained in feijoa. In addition, for the development of a healthy fetus, a sufficient amount of iodine is necessary, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland and the formation of the child’s nervous system. With its deficiency in the body of a pregnant woman and a newborn baby, congenital hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) can develop. A complication of this disease is dementia. At the same time, the fruit is low-calorie and does not add excess weight future mother.
For men, feijoa is useful for prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland). Thanks to its healing properties, feijoa fruits can prevent prostate inflammation, which is why they are used to prevent male problems. At the same time, erectile function in men also improves.
Medicinal properties of feijoa
- Replenishes iodine deficiencies in the human body, which is especially necessary for diseases of the thyroid gland to maintain its function.
- Improves the functioning of the nervous system.
- Normalizes sleep.
- Strengthens the immune system. Thanks to the vitamins and microelements it contains, the fruit stimulates the formation of immune cells - leukocytes.
- Fights anemia. Because of large quantity Feijoa iron is effective for iron deficiency anemia and strengthens the immune system.
- Lowers cholesterol in the blood, so the fruit is useful for people suffering from atherosclerosis.
- Improves the functioning of the digestive tract: increased content vegetable fiber promotes increased peristalsis and cleansing of the intestines.
- Natural antiseptic. Tree bark, leaves and fruit peel have a disinfectant effect. A decoction of them is used for inflammatory diseases mucous membranes - periodontal disease, cuts, kidney inflammation.
Treatment of the thyroid gland with feijoa
Use jam from raw feijoa fruits or puree. You need to take a tablespoon 30 minutes before meals 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is at least a month. It should be remembered that only ripe fruits are used for medicinal purposes.
An infusion of dried feijoa fruits is also used. To do this, pour 3 tablespoons of fruit into two glasses of boiling water and leave overnight. The next day, drink in 3 doses. Continue this way every day for a month.
Feijoa for diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas in which there is a violation of the absorption of glucose by cells. At the same time, the blood sugar level is increased. Violating the diet and consuming foods containing large amounts of sugar aggravates the course of the disease and leads to an even greater increase in blood glucose. Therefore, feijoa is not used to treat diabetes, given the sugar content in its composition, but it is acceptable to consume in minimal quantities.
What else
Feijoa is also used in the treatment of the cardiovascular system. It cleanses the blood of cholesterol, stimulates the formation of blood cells, and prevents the formation of blood clots. Pure juice from feijoa fruits. A tablespoon of juice is mixed with 50 grams of water and taken once a day.
To strengthen the walls of blood vessels, you can use orange jam. To prepare, take a kilogram of feijoa fruit, 2 kilograms of sugar and the juice of two oranges. Make jam and take 1 tablespoon 2 times a day. The combination of a large amount of vitamin C in orange and a complex of microelements and vitamins in feijoa strengthens blood vessels.
The exotic feijoa fruit comes from South America and gradually began to fill the shelves of stores and grocery markets. Berries are often used in the preparation of culinary dishes; they are used to make mousses, sauces, and dessert fillings. They often decorate the holiday table. The fruit is unique in that you can eat both the fruit and the peel. For salads, the fruit is deliberately not peeled - it gives an unusual taste.
What is feijoa
The fruit reminds many people of pineapple, apple or strawberry in taste. In terms of external similarity, the berry is similar to kiwi, although it is half the size and without hairs. Feijoa is a berry that grows mainly in wild forests and takes root in subtropical areas. The smooth green peel confuses the buyer, since it is difficult to determine the ripeness of the fruit by this criterion. Unique taste ripe fruits have. Ripe feijoas taste very soft and sweet.
Where does it grow
South America is considered the birthplace of feijoa. The plant is suitable for a subtropical climate; it is grown en masse in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The plant looks like a green bush, the height of which reaches three meters. The leaves are often large and have a dense texture. It begins to bear fruit after 3-5 years of life. In June, the plant begins to bloom.
Season in Russia
The plant is planted mainly in the south of Russia, in the subtropical part. The fruit reaches supermarket shelves from Transcaucasia, Turkmenistan, Crimea or Azerbaijan. The season starts from September-November and ends in December-January. Ripe fruits are soft and spoil quickly, so they are delivered to Russia while still unripe. There is a high chance of buying a green fruit in a supermarket or market if you don’t know what a ripe one looks like. To feel the taste of real, soft feijoa, leave the fruit for 1-2 days in a warm room.
Benefits and harms
The fruit contains many useful trace elements, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. First of all, it contains a high percentage of iodine, which people lack so much in the fall and winter. The fruit contains 35-40 mg of iodine per 100 grams of its weight, as well as phenols and pectins. It is recommended to add it to food for people suffering from joint diseases. The benefits of feijoa are best seen when eaten fresh, as vitamin C is preserved. Other beneficial properties:
- helps with viral diseases, strengthens the immune system;
- useful for intestinal function due to the fiber in the composition;
- eliminates problems with thyroid gland;
- slows down the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis;
- useful for diseases of the cardiovascular system.
The fruit contains essential oils, which are excellent antiseptics. The dried peel can be added to tea. Allergic reaction on the fetus is observed in rare cases. If redness or rashes appear on the skin, you should stop using the product. Contraindication for use is diabetes. The fruits contain a high percentage of fructose and sugar. In case of obesity, pregnancy, or lactation, it is not recommended to abuse the product.
How to choose feijoa fruits
Unripe fruit can be easily recognized even from a photo. The unripe fruit has a light green peel with a glossy surface, without a single wrinkle. The berry will be very hard and the pulp white. If a person tries unripe feijoa, he may be disappointed and decide that they all taste like that. Unripe fruit should be stored for 2-3 days, then it will ripen, become soft and tasty.
Dark spots on the peel indicate that the fruit is overripe. The seller can claim that this is how iodine seeps onto the surface. This is an incorrect statement. The fruit contains a lot of iodine, but not on the peel. Inside, the overripe fruit has brown flesh. A high-quality fruit has a green peel, without spots, stripes or dents. The surface should be wrinkled and the fruit should be soft inside. The pulp is similar to a jelly-like mixture, its color is close to transparent. These feijoas are the most delicious and nutritious. Their shelf life is 2 weeks.
How to eat feijoa
The exotic fruit is often added raw to salads. Sliced together with the peel, it has a tart taste, so it is important to use only ripe fruits. You can make delicious jam from the fruit. To do this, the fruit is ground entirely with the skin. Berries can be added to ice cream, pudding or yogurt. To serve the fruit as a single dessert, cut it lengthwise and then scrape out the pulp with a spoon. You can also bite the top and suck out the filling.
Feijoa recipes
The fruit itself is very tasty and can be eaten raw. This way all vitamins and microelements are preserved. The fruit is added to dessert dishes, and also in salads with chicken, beef, fish. From exotic fruit You will get excellent smoothies in combination with apples, kiwi, pineapple and others. Losing weight can be done vitamin cocktails with feijoa fruit, beets, carrots.
- Time: 10 minutes.
- Number of servings: 4 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 320 kcal/100 g.
- Cuisine: European.
- Difficulty: easy.
Feijoa goes well not only with other fruits, but also with walnuts. Salad helps cleanse the intestines, remove waste, toxins, and speed up metabolism. Light and nutritious dish contains a lot of fats and carbohydrates. Salad is recommended for breakfast. It starts metabolism and speeds up brain function due to its high fat content. The dish is high in calories, perfectly satisfies the feeling of hunger and gives you energy.
Ingredients:
Cooking method:
- Boil the beets and place in a bowl to cool.
- After that, peel it and grate it with the large side.
- Peel the skin from the middle of the feijoa and chop it.
- Clean the nuts and chop them into small pieces.
- Mix all ingredients, add salt to taste and olive oil.
Sauce
- Time: 40 minutes.
- Number of servings: 8-9 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 85 kcal/100 g.
- Purpose: for dinner.
- Cuisine: Brazilian.
- Difficulty: above average.
The sauce will delight you with its unusual, spicy taste, and also a unique aroma. It is perfect for those who love spicy food. The sauce can be served with anything. It will be combined with country-style potatoes or fries, pasta, pork steak, chicken wings or fish in batter. It takes a lot of time to prepare, but the result is worth it.
Ingredients:
- feijoa – 7 pcs.;
- parsley – 20 g;
- cilantro – 20 g;
- garlic – 1 head;
- sugar – 25 g;
- marjoram – 20 g;
- grated paprika;
- salt;
- pepper.
Cooking method:
- Peel the berries and cut into small slices.
- Cook them over low heat until the berries soften. Stir frequently and remove the film.
- Beat the berries with a blender and grind through a sieve.
- Chop the garlic and add to the mixture, add salt.
- Stir and gradually add sugar, paprika, pepper.
- Chop the marjoram, parsley and cilantro. Add to sauce, stir.
- Let the sauce sit for 1 hour on the refrigerator shelf.
Raw jam
- Time: 15 minutes.
- Number of servings: 10 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 194 kcal/100 g.
- Cuisine: Brazilian.
- Difficulty: easy.
When making jam, you don’t have to stand near the stove for hours, boil jars, or follow the proportions exactly. Feijoa makes excellent jam, which can be eaten immediately, and, if desired, can be prepared for future use for the winter. Preparation will take 10-15 minutes, but you can please your guests and family with a pleasant dessert for tea. Jam is spread on buns and the tops of cakes and pastries are decorated.
Ingredients:
- feijoa – 1 kg;
- sugar – 1 kg;
- walnuts – 200 g.
Cooking method:
- Cut the fruit into pieces, then grind them with a mixer.
- Pour sugar into the resulting mixture.
- Chop the peeled nuts and add to the jam.
- Mix again with a mixer until the mixture becomes homogeneous.
- It is advisable to let the jam sit for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Pancakes
- Time: 30 minutes.
- Number of servings: 6 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 305 kcal/100 g.
- Purpose: for breakfast.
- Cuisine: Brazilian.
- Difficulty: easy.
Pancakes are traditionally considered a breakfast or afternoon snack food. This recipe features unusual pancakes. For preparation you will use wheat flour, mint. When combined, these ingredients provide a unique exotic taste. The recipe will work those who are tired of the pancakes familiar to Russian people with raspberry jam or sour cream.
Ingredients:
- eggs – 3 pcs.;
- Wheat flour– 1 glass;
- feijoa – 500 g;
- milk – 3 glasses;
- mint – 60 g;
- sugar – 4 tbsp. l.;
- sunflower oil;
- lemon;
- salt.
Cooking method:
- Mix eggs, milk and flour in a bowl, add a little salt.
- Rub lemon zest. Pass the middle of the feijoa through a meat grinder or blender along with lemon juice and mint leaves.
- Heat a frying pan, pour in sunflower oil.
- Pour the dough into a thin layer. After 5 minutes, flip the pancakes to the other side.
- Grease the prepared pancakes with filling and wrap them in a tube. Sprinkle lemon zest seasoning over top.
- Time: 10 minutes.
- Number of servings: 5 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 455 kcal/100 g.
- Purpose: for breakfast, afternoon snack.
- Cuisine: European.
- Difficulty: easy.
Cocktails and smoothies made from feijoa contain useful substances that the body needs for active work. In combination with other fruits, this drink turns into a real vitamin boom. Smoothies are especially popular among children. If your child grimaces at the sight of fruit, then make him a smoothie simple recipe. Strawberry milk smoothie is served for a sweet table or breakfast.
Ingredients:
- white ice cream – 0.5 kg;
- strawberries – 1 kg;
- lemon juice – 5 tbsp. l.;
- feijoa – 3 pcs.;
- sugar – 2 tbsp. l.
Cooking method:
- Mix all ingredients in a blender.
- Pour into glasses and serve.
- Time: 20 minutes.
- Number of servings: 5 persons.
- Calorie content of the dish: 340 kcal/100.
- Purpose: for breakfast, for tea.
- Cuisine: European.
- Difficulty: easy.
The mousse turns out very sweet, but not disgustingly cloying. This is achieved by adding citric acid. Homemade soufflé better than store-bought jam - store-bought canned goods do not contain anything useful. The recipe is very simple, the dessert will be a wonderful addition to the sweet table. Feijoa and citric acid mousse can also be greased with cakes, muffins, cookies, and used as a filling for sweets.
Ingredients:
- feijoa – 250 g;
- vanilla sugar– 100 g;
- gelatin – 1 pc.;
- citric acid – 1 pc.
Cooking method:
- Cut the fruit into 2 parts, add water, cook for 10 minutes.
- Strain the resulting pulp through a sieve, add vanilla sugar.
- Bring the soaked gelatin to a boil, add citric acid.
- Mix the resulting mixture with feijoa pulp and pour into molds.
- Let the mousse cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
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