star apple
Star apple (lat. Chrysophyllum cainito) is a fruit crop belonging to the Sapotaceae family.
Description
The star apple is an evergreen woody fruit plant up to twenty meters high, endowed with alternately arranged oval-shaped leathery leaves. All leaves are whole, with pointed tips, and their length can reach sixteen centimeters.
The flowers of this culture form spectacular inflorescences, each of which numbers from five to thirty pieces. The inflorescences themselves are located in the leaf axils. Individually, the flowers are rather inconspicuous and small, and their color can be either purple, yellow or greenish.
Star apple fruits are characterized by an ovoid or spherical shape, and their diameter can reach ten centimeters. On top they are covered with a green or purple-brownish peel, and inside there is very sweet, juicy white pulp. And in the middle of the pulp you can find up to eight shiny dark brown seeds — they are located in cavities filled with a soft gelatinous mass, thanks to which, when cut transversely, a very attractive star-shaped cut is formed. As for unripe fruits, they are considered inedible, as they are very astringent. And the main sign of their maturation is softening and the appearance of wrinkles on their surface.
The varieties with a minimum number of seeds, as well as those with empty seed cells, boast the best taste.
Plants bear fruit the longer they are located, the closer to the equator they are. At the equator, they are able to bear fruit throughout the year, and in other climatic zones they begin to bear fruit in early spring and finish doing so in early summer. Ripe fruits do not fall off, but remain hanging on the trees, so during their collection they are carefully cut off along with small parts of the branches.
Where does it grow
The star apple comes from Central America, but it is also cultivated in South America (in its tropical part), as well as in India, Tanzania, Indonesia, West Africa, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Application
Star apples are eaten both fresh and processed. They produce a delicious juice and are often added to desserts and compotes. However, the skin of these fruits is inedible, as it contains a bitter, milky sap similar to dandelion juice. Therefore, to enjoy the delicious fruit, you must cut it crosswise and then scoop out the pulp with a spoon. These fruits can easily be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
To eliminate any potential bitterness, they are often eaten with pineapple, mango, or citrus fruits.
Star apples are an excellent general tonic and are very beneficial for kidney disease, anemia, and various cardiovascular ailments. Regular consumption also helps quickly reduce swelling, smooth skin, and significantly improve the nervous system. These fruits also contain calcium, which helps maintain musculoskeletal health. A decoction of the peel is considered an effective expectorant, and the fruit pulp has proven effective in treating all kinds of colds, especially laryngitis. Unripe fruits are a real salvation for intestinal disorders, and the dried latex is an incredibly effective anthelmintic.
The relatively low glucose content makes star apples suitable for diabetics.
Contraindications
When consuming star apples, allergic reactions cannot be ruled out, which may occur due to individual intolerance.
