Tsabr
Tsabr (lat. Opuntia ficus-indica) is a plant cultivated for its edible fruits, belonging to the Cactus family. In science, this crop is called Indian Opuntia, and among the people it is called tsabr, Indian fig or fig, as well as prickly pear.
Description
The tsar is endowed with succulent flattened stems, densely covered with spines and characterized by an oval shape. The branching stems form into bizarre bushes, the height of which often reaches two to four meters. And the tsabra has no leaves at all. Since this plant is a succulent, it can easily tolerate even the driest conditions. True, tsabra will produce a good harvest only under conditions of moderate watering.
The formation of yellow tsabra flowers occurs exclusively in the upper parts of the stems. As for its fruits, they are pear-shaped and can be colored in either red, yellow or green. Each fruit is abundantly studded with spines and reaches a length of five to seven and a half centimeters. And inside them there is a sweetish translucent pulp, in which you can find fairly large seeds.
Where does it grow
The homeland of the tsabra is Mexico. And now this crop is also cultivated in Madagascar, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt, India, Chile, Israel, Brazil and a number of Mediterranean countries. By the way, tsabra can also be found in the wild on the southern coast of Crimea.
Application
Tsabra fruits, peeled from thorns, are eaten — they are equally good both fresh and processed. By the way, tsabra makes incredibly tasty jam. And in Mexico, both ripe fruits (most often dried) and unripe fruits are used with equal success — such fruits are either dried or boiled. The dried unripe fruits are widely used by Mexicans as an excellent seasoning for meat. And in Mexico, they eat the fleshy stems of the tsabra, although they are no longer used as a fruit, but as a vegetable. The plates of young stems are also eaten in North Africa — they are either boiled or baked. In addition, the stems of this crop are actively fed to livestock.
Tsabr is a low-calorie product. This feature allows it to be actively used in dietary nutrition.
The calcium found in citrus fruit has a beneficial effect on bones, nails, and hair. Phosphorus is essential for the formation of muscle and bone tissue, and ascorbic acid enhances the body”s defenses and strengthens the immune system. Regular consumption of this fruit can significantly improve kidney and liver function.
Ccitrus fruit is also widely used in folk medicine. Not only the fruit is used, but also other parts of the plant. For example, crushed dried flowers are actively used to treat measles.
Ccitrus fruit”s uses don”t end there—it can also be used to create luxurious hedges. And the extract from its stems is used as a lipolytic.
How to peel citrus fruit?
To peel this unusual fruit, wear gloves and use a fork and knife. First, cut off the caps of the citrus fruit, then use a knife to make a slit in the center, and then peel the skins back with a fork. This technique allows you to easily separate the juicy pulp.
If the thorns of the tsar”s fruit are embedded in your skin, you can try to remove them with a bandage or tape. However, some of them may still remain embedded.
Contraindications and Harm
Tsar”s fruit can only cause harm in cases of individual intolerance. Furthermore, it”s not recommended to overindulge in this fruit, as it can cause a wide variety of digestive problems.
