One of the pleasures of life is eating something delicious, and one of the sweetest and most delicious fruits that few people know about is the Cherimoya. It is a memorable burst of flavor when it enters your mouth and has unimaginable nutritional benefits to boot. Some people have it as their native fruit, while others have never even heard of it. Whichever category a person may fall to, there definitely are some facts about this fruit that will be new to your ears.
What is Cherimoya?
First and foremost, for those who are completely unaware, the Cherimoya should be defined. Cherimoya is a delicious fruit coming from the Cherimoya tree which can reach to about 9m tall. The tree usually has yellow or brownish flowers which have purple spots at their bottom.
The Cherimoya fruit itself, as earlier described, is a taste-bud heaven. Its cover is usually green and a bit supple when ripened. It is oval shaped, with a diameter of about 7 to 10 cm across and a diameter of about 10 to 20 cm when cut along its length. When the fruit is cut, it reveals a white, creamy flesh which has black to dark brown seeds. These seeds are usually poisonous and should not be ingested.
Because of its creamy and tasty nature, some people have branded it the ice-cream fruit. This name may also have come about from the fact that when it is chilled, a person can easily scoop its flesh with a spoon. This nickname is even more appropriate considering that in some countries, it is blended with actual ice cream.
Its unique taste cannot be over-emphasized! Some people have described the fruit as tasting like a mash of bananas and pineapple, while others have described its taste as a blend of strawberry and peach. The taste descriptions do not end here, as some have even stated that it is a mix of papaya, strawberry, banana, peach, and pineapple! This just goes to show how diverse its taste is.
Historical Origins Of Cherimoya
As earlier stated, this fruit is native to some lands, while some people may not even have had sight of it. The plant is grown in places of medium to high altitudes. It does not fare well in any extreme climatic conditions and requires very good drainage for its prosperity. Its name, Cherimoya or Chirimoya, comes from the Quechua languages native to countries in the Central Andes. Countries like Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia have this fruit indigenous to them.
The fact that the fruit is indigenous to those few countries does not mean that it is not found in any other parts of the world. On the contrary, most countries and states that have a high altitude can grow it successfully. Currently, it is grown in central and south America, southern Asia, East Africa (Kisii), California, and North Africa.
Health Benefits Of Cherimoya
Cherimoya is not only known for its exotic taste, but also for its nutritional goodness. These amazing fruits have a good dosage of vitamin C. Vitamin C has been known as a natural anti-oxidant which helps the body fight infections. This fruit also contains vitamin B6 in great quantities. One Cherimoya fruit has the ability to provide a person with approximately 20% of the vitamin B6 required daily.
This fruit also contains minerals such as potassium. Good levels of potassium in the body help to control the heart rate as well as balance blood pressure within the body. Other minerals that are provided for by cherimoya are iron, copper, and manganese.
Some research and reports have suggested that this exotic fruit has the ability to manufacture a very beneficial substance found in the brain. This substance is called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a neurochemical substance found in the brain. GABA helps the brain to be calm in times when it is aching. This is the reason why some people have referred to it as a ‘euphoric amino-acid’.
The fruit has zero saturated fat, and people in rural Mexica are said to use the seeds for getting rid of lice and other parasitic body infections by grinding them into powder and mixing with water.
Side Effects Of Cherimoya
Very few health risks have been reported for this fruit. The one thing that can be said that is risky about it is the seeds and the skin. These are not usually ingested because they may have serious health risks. One only needs to eat the fleshy part of the fruit and discard the skin and the seeds, or peel the skin and eat the fruit.
When the seeds are crushed open, they are said to contain a substance called acerogenins, which are neurotoxins. Such neurotoxins are said to be related to Parkinson’s disease, aside from being generally poisonous. The skin, on the other hand, is said to induce paralysis if ingested.
Cherimoya Conclusion
This fruit is beneficial in many ways. Its endearing fragrant, sweet, creamy, unique taste and health benefits make it a one in a million fruit. People who have experienced it can attest that it is truly a gem, and people who have not yet tasted it ought to run to the nearest grocery store and purchase it.
Except for the mentioned places where it can be grown, other locations cannot really grow them due to climatic and altitude issues. They will not survive in less than ideal conditions. Their shelf life is also not long, and they will get spoiled really fast if not well refrigerated.
An interesting fact about this fruit is the fact that it is hermaphroditic and for this reason farmers have to work to avoid self-pollination. When its flower is just budding, it buds as a female, but as it continues to grow, it changes to a male flower within only hours. The most effective method to ensure the continuation of its species is human pollination. An external pollinator will be required to extract seeds from the female flowers and transfer them to the male flowers for pollination.
Sometimes, human pollination is not entirely possible; hence, wind power has to be relied upon. Sometimes insects also do a good job, for instance, bees. It can be a challenge to get this fruit to thrive, but all this is worth it considering the benefits accrued.
