Showing posts with label yellow parchita. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yellow parchita. Show all posts

Friday, June 7, 2019

Passiflora ligularis or Granadilla, delicious Andean fruit


Passiflora ligularis or Granadilla, delicious Andean fruit



Passiflora ligularis, known as granadilla, is a climbing plant of the Passifloraceae family native to the Andes. It is called "Granadilla" in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico; "Common granadilla" in Guatemala; "Granadilla de China" or "parchita amarilla", "parchita" in Venezuela, "granada de muco" in Mexico, "pachio" in Bolivia, and "granadita" in Jamaica.

Passiflora is the generic name that, adopted by Linnaeus in 1753, means "flower of passion" (from the Latin passio = "passion" and flos = "flower"), it was granted by Catholic missionaries in 1610, due to the similarity of some parts of the plant with religious symbols of the Passion of Christ, the whip with which it was whipped = tendrils, the three nails = styles; stamens and the radial corolla = the crown of thorns.




Description

It is a vigorous climbing plant that adheres to the supports through tendrils. The leaves are long and petiolate, fixed base, whole, broadly ovate, 8-17 cm long, 6-15 cm wide; with petioles 5-15 cm long. The flowers, with musky aroma, are 7-9 cm in diameter; calyx oblong, 3-5 cm long; sepals closely lanceolate pale green 3-4 cm long; pink white petals; filaments of the bluish-purple crown in two series.



 The fruit is ovoid, of green color when it is immature, it turns to green yellow orange with small white spots when it is mature. The size of the fruit is 6.5 to 8 cm long and 5.1 to 7 cm in diameter; the shell is thin, smooth and brittle, weighs between 110 and 125 grams. The pulp (aril) has a very aromatic and sweet flavor, it is yellowish white to orange with a mucilaginous texture, it contains numerous blackish flat seeds, covered with a juicy, crystalline, transparent and gelatinous texture.




Distribution and habitat

It is found in central Mexico, all of Central and South America, from Colombia, Venezuela, western Bolivia to southern Peru. Also in Jamaica and in the mountainous areas of Haiti. Its natural habitat is subtropical climate zones since it does not resist heat, between 15 ° and 18 ° C of temperature, 600 to 1000 mm of annual precipitation and altitude of 1700 to 2600 meters above sea level.

Colombia is the world's leading producer of this fruit. Other growing countries are Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru and Bolivia. The main importers are Mexico, the United States, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Spain.




Usefulness and benefits of granadilla

Generally the passion fruit is consumed raw, for this, the shell is simply broken with the fingers and the pulp is eaten with a spoon. You can also get a rich drink, straining the pulp and adding water. The granadilla extract can be used to prepare ice creams, soufflés, sauces and yogurt. It is known as the "children's fruit" because it activates the infants' thymus and helps them grow.



The granadilla has natural nutrients and positive health effects are attributed to it.

1. It is an excellent source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc and iron. In addition, it contains proteins and healthy carbohydrates.

2. Provide the body with essential vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, E, K and provitamin A.

3. It can be used as a tranquilizer or natural sedative, since its consumption is recommended for the stabilization of nerves and anxiety.

4. It is very effective as a laxative and digestive stimulant. In addition, it controls the acidity and helps to heal stomach ulcers. To combat diarrhea and colic and can also be useful as a treatment against worms (vermifuge).

5. When consumed whole, with seeds, it has a high fiber content, very beneficial for health.

6. Because it is a natural relaxant, it is possible that it favors the sleep of people suffering from insomnia.

7. Due to its excellent properties, it can help eliminate cholesterol in the blood and prevent anemia.

8. Regulates heart rate and blood pressure, which reduces the possibility of cardiovascular risks, such as heart and cerebral infarction

9. It helps in the formation of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the blood, which are very important for the organism; prevents iron-deficiency anemia

10. It is very good for the eyesight, and its consumption is highly recommended in children, since it activates its growth.

11. It has antioxidant properties, eliminates free radicals.

12. Has antispasmodic properties, eliminates seizures and muscle spasms.

13. Relieves catarrhal symptoms and flu states.

14. In studies carried out in the "University of California, it was possible to verify in prostate cancer patients that daily drinking a glass of pomegranate juice for a long time


References

Passiflora ligularis


Conoce los 10 beneficios de comer una granadilla

SWEET GRANADILLA, Passiflora ligularis

Los beneficios de consumir la Granadilla, Jueves, 03 / May / 2012