Feijoa is an unusual exotic fruit that appeared on the shelves of our stores relatively recently. It not only has a pleasant taste, but also contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals.
Useful properties of feijoa, and how to eat fruits
Feijoa contains a large amount of pectin, fiber and vitamin C, which makes it incredibly useful for the gastrointestinal tract. The energy value of the fruit is small, so it can be included in the diet. Minerals and vitamins, also part of the berry, stimulate the immune system.
The high vitamin C content in fruits helps fight colds by supporting the body’s immune system. In addition, the iodine included in the composition is perfectly absorbed by the body, making the plant's fruits useful for the thyroid gland with regular use. Feijoa and the cardiovascular system have a certain benefit: the vitamins and microelements contained in it support vascular tone, while counteracting the development of cancerous tumors in organs. The peel of the fruit contains antioxidants.
What are the beneficial properties of feijoa and how to eat fruits? This information is very useful for hypertensive patients, since the substances contained in the fruits reduce blood pressure and purify the blood of toxins and cholesterol, preventing the development of plaques on the walls of blood vessels and having a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart muscle. The fruit is widely used in cosmetology as one of the most effective anti-aging agents.
The peel of the fetus is no less useful - it contains almost as many vitamins as in the pulp itself. Answering the question of how to eat feijoa in food, it is worth noting immediately that peeling is undesirable, but it can be used as an additive in tea, compotes or preserves.
Despite the large number of useful properties, feijoa has certain contraindications. How to use this fruit and to whom it is contraindicated? First of all, because of too much sugar, it is not recommended to eat those suffering from diabetes and obesity. With caution, it should be eaten and allergic: the berry practically does not cause allergic reactions, but it is worth it to be safe again.
Vitamins Contained in Feijoa
Since the pulp of fruits contains a large amount of vitamin C, it is recommended for low levels of hemoglobin in the blood and to support the immune system. A vivid example of how to use feijoa for medicinal purposes is the use of fruit pulp in cosmetology and pharmacy: the oil obtained from berries has an anti-inflammatory effect, and the extract increases the softness and elasticity of the skin, hiding various imperfections.
Feijoa is a unique plant whose fruits contain a large amount of vitamins, folic acid and trace elements. The whole complex of nutrients and nutrients has an incredible healing and strengthening effect on the human body. Medical studies have shown that feijoa has all of these beneficial properties in lowering blood pressure, antibacterial properties and effectiveness against E. coli and staphylococci. How to eat it correctly? You can ask about this with dietitians.
Feijoa: how to use in cooking
Despite the fact that this plant is exotic for our latitudes, its taste is familiar to many - strawberry-pineapple, with tart notes. Before you talk about how to eat feijoa, it is worth noting that for culinary purposes they usually use the whole fruit. The peel is dried and added to teas, compotes, preserves from other fruits. Feijoa can be consumed as a regular fruit - for this it is cut and the pulp is carefully removed with a spoon.
The fruits of this plant are often used as ingredients in various salads with fruits, berries and vegetables. As a dressing for such dishes, sour cream and yogurt are ideal. Berries are used in cooking not only in fresh form as a delicious fruit, but also as the main ingredient of various dishes - baked goods, jams, jams, salads, stewed fruit, wine and tinctures.
Feijoa contains digestible fats, so its fruits are classified as diet foods. It also refers to hypoallergenic products that do not cause an allergic reaction. However, he has his own limitations: it is impossible for those who suffer from individual intolerance to feijoa. How to use it in this case, you can find out from your doctor. It is possible that a small amount of pulp is still allowed.
Feijoa in traditional medicine
Folk doctors know well how to use feijoa. Often used as a treatment for thyroid disease due to the high iodine content in the fruit. For diseases of this organ, it is advisable to eat 200-300 grams of pulp daily. It is worth remembering that in its raw form the beneficial properties of feijoa persist only for one week. If you plan to harvest fruit in large quantities, then the berries are passed through a meat grinder and sprinkled with sugar. Thus prepared mixture preserves all the beneficial properties for a long time.
Despite the large number of useful properties, feijoa is also characterized by contraindications:
• The maximum daily dose of berry juice for an adult is one glass, for a child under 7 years old - 0.5 cup.
• It is advisable not to consume berry in large quantities during pregnancy and during an exacerbation of chronic diseases.
How to choose feijoa
When buying such an exotic fruit, you need to focus on the color of its peel and the hardness of the fruit itself. The berry should not be damaged, the skin should be even and smooth. The degree of ripeness is determined by the color of the pulp: in a ripe fruit, it is transparent.
Fresh fruits are stored on average from seven to fourteen days. For longer storage, fruit is usually made into blanks - jam, jams, compotes.
Feijoa with honey
It is good to know how to use feijoa with honey. This is not only a treat, but also a good medicine that strengthens the immune system and has a beneficial effect on the human body. Among other things, such a dessert is easy to prepare and will be a very original and unusual treat on the table.
To make feijoa with honey you will need:
• honey;
• feijoa;
• walnuts.
Feijoa fruits are washed thoroughly under cool water and dried. If desired, the skin can be removed from them, since it retains its tart aftertaste even after heat treatment of the berries. The fruits are finely cut into several parts and placed in a bowl, mixed with walnuts and honey. The resulting mixture is infused in the refrigerator for several hours, after which it is eaten.
Growing feijoa at home
Feijoa can be grown at home, despite the fact that it is an exotic plant. The main condition for its growth is competent care.
Feijoa loves moist, bright places, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. As the plant grows in size, it is transplanted into large pots. Feijoa will bring the first fruits after 4-5 years. Externally, the plant is very beautiful and compact, perfectly complements any room or office, regularly supplying tasty and healthy fruits.