Initially, feijoa was used in landscape design, park areas were decorated with evergreen flowering shrubs. Today it is exotic plant with amazing fruits.
Feijoa is gaining popularity not so much because of its taste, but because of its benefits. A selection of amazing facts will allow you to take a fresh look at this tropical fruit.
Table of contents
What is feijoa, where it grows in Russia
According to the classification attributed to the family of myrtle plants. The height of the bushes reaches 3 meters. It looks especially beautiful during flowering. Feijoa blooms bright crimson inflorescences with white and pink splashes.
Leaves are dense, dark green. Fruits resemble unripe walnuts. Inside the berries are juicy pulp. There is a taste strawberry sweetness and astringency kiwi.
The amazing properties of the shrub allow it to be evergreen. The plant tolerates frosts up to -14 ° C. The crop has the ability to not spoil for a long time. Well transported.
Due to the lack of information, the overseas fetus has not found wide use in us. Those familiar with feijoa, use raw fruits, prepare jams and preserves. Feijoa can be bought in the markets and in large supermarkets.
Thanks to the work of breeders, a tropical plant has become common in Russia - in the Crimea, Krasnodar, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.
Depending on growing conditions, there are small, medium, large fruits. Eat whole fruit or scraped pulp with a spoon.
Because of its composition, a tropical culture is used to treat a variety of diseases. Especially prized medicinal properties of the fruit in the period of beriberi for a weakened body.
How to choose a feijoa:
The benefits of fruit, beneficial and healing properties of fruits and leaves
The chemical composition of feijoa indicates its benefit. This fruit can rightly be called not only a “miracle of the tropics”, but also a panacea for many problems.
Among Europeans, the berries became popular at the moment when they found a high concentration of iodine.
Feijoa pot growing does not guarantee a rich iodine content, it is abundant only in fruits growing on the coast. Benefit:
- Feijoa has a high content of nutrients, vitamins C, P and B;
- in the fruits are present with anti-inflammatory effect of essential oils;
- extracts and oils of feijoa are widely used in dermatology, as well as in cosmetology;
- contain iron, zinc, manganese, copper, organic iodine compounds;
- by value, fruits are equal to iodine-containing seafood;
- essential oils promote rejuvenation;
- juice and pulp help fight with rosacea, capillary grids on the face disappear after using masks;
- for depressive disorders, fruit seeds are used;
- leaves are used to make tea that is good for the body.
Leading nutritionists recommend the use of fruits in the diet of people who have problems with obesity. They justify their decision by low calorie content, valuable composition, and lack of fat.
Tart feijoa flavor is not present by chance, it is associated with the content of antioxidants. They are considered a valuable product for the prevention of cancer.
Endocrinologists agreed that tropical berries are needed for the thyroid gland.
With regular use, by lowering the level of cholesterol, an improvement in the blood composition is observed. Due to the content in the skin of phenolic compounds, they are taken to stimulate metabolic processes in the digestive organs.
The beneficial properties of feijoa for men are priceless. Urologists recommend to use for problems with the prostate.
Women will be able, thanks to an exotic fruit, to preserve their figure and youth. Replacing confectionery feijoa, you can throw off those extra pounds.
Important: 0.5 mg of iodine compounds soluble in the body per 100 grams of feijoa.
What is useful feijoa berry:
Harm and contraindications for use
Ripe feijoa have a positive effect on the body, in unripe fruits adversely affect the digestive system. Can even cause poisoning.
If unripe fruits are bought, they are best put to sleep at room temperature.
Tropical plant is contraindicated:
- direct contraindication - with an excess of iodine in the body;
- use with caution in diabetes mellitus;
- it is not recommended to mix with milk (it can cause an upset stomach);
- due to poor digestibility, feijoa should not be given to children younger than one year old;
- pregnant and lactating mothers use the minimum amounts.
A large number of eaten fruit can be harmful - cause nervous irritability, anxiety.
Important information: to avoid consequences, be careful treating feijoa children.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
The richest natural source of nutrients for pregnant and lactating is recommended with caution. In order not to cause side effects due to an excess of iodine, do not overdo it with their use.
Regarding the exotic fruit, expert opinion was divided, some recommend them during pregnancy, others - associated with risks. In all you need to know when to stop.
Feijoa is especially useful in the 12th week of pregnancy, during this period the child’s thyroid gland develops.
It is difficult to predict how a pregnant organism will behave if you try it for the first time. The same can be said about breastfeeding. If in doubt, better consult with your doctor and monitor the reaction of the body.
Culinary and cosmetic recipes
The topic below is devoted to recipes from an exotic fruit. Of them prepare jams, mousses, jellies. The popularity of these recipes is associated with a rich pectin content.
Useful broths are prepared for the treatment, ground with honey, nuts.. Add as a flavoring in salads. Make a mask for the face.
Faded with sugar fruit
Proportions: 1 kg of feijoa take 1 kg of sugar. Fruits take ripe. Well wash them, dry on a towel.
Finely crushed with a knife, add sugar. Rub with a wooden spatula. Keep refrigerated. Apply as needed. Candied fruits are a great way to protect the immune system.
Feijoa jam without cooking for the winter:
Dietary salad
Proportions: for 5 fruits take a handful of walnuts and 1 boiled beets. Feijoa and beets cut into strips. Dry nuts in the oven lightly and crush. Season the salad with olive oil.
To enhance the taste, add spices, herbs or garlic. Easy to prepare salad will help you lose weight.
Vitamin Cocktail
Proportions: 4 feijoa, kiwi, apple, cinnamon, 150 ml of skimmed yogurt or yogurt. In the bowl of the blender to place the fruit of an exotic fruit, kiwi, apple. All previously washed, peeled, chopped.
Pour the fermented milk product, add a pinch of cinnamon. Grind blender until smooth.The fortified cocktail is the perfect start to the day instead of breakfast.
Feijoa with honey
Proportions: honey with feijoa in a 1: 1 ratio. Pulp ripe fruit to grind with honey, spread on sterilized jars. Cover with lids or paper. Keep in the cold.
Eat in the morning on an empty stomach 1 tbsp. a spoon. The composition allows you to quickly recover from past illnesses. The remaining outside can be frozen or dried.
Compote with melissa
Proportions: on 1 glass of sugar 180 gr. feijoa, sprigs of lemon balm. Wash fruits, chop them with a toothpick. Pour water, add sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat in the oven. Boil for 3-5 minutes.
Remove from heat, strain, add melissa. Pour into glass jars. Store inside the refrigerator. Chilled drink - tones, soothes the nervous system.
Leaf tea
Proportions: 1 tsp. dry leaves on 250-300 ml of boiling water. Leaves wither in partial shade. Ferment in fresh air or in a dry ventilated place to the condition of the tea leaf.
Brew like regular tea, you can add sugar or honey. The taste of tea is very unusual, with a slightly tart aftertaste.
Pulp jam with lemon
Proportions: 1 kg of ripe fruit need 1 kg of sugar and half a lemon. Feijoa wash, chop a toothpick. Boil sugar and 200 ml of water syrup. Pour them fruit.
Cook in 3 stages with complete cooling of the jam for 5 minutes after boiling. At the final stage add lemon wedges.
Packed in clean, dry jars. Cork and cold. Jam will help out to raise immunity in the period of respiratory diseases.
Mask for the face
Proportions: 2 pcs. feijoa, yolk of one egg, 5 gr. honey and 5 ml. olive oil. Beat the ingredients and heat slightly in a water bath. The temperature of the mask should be 36-37 degrees.
Apply to cleansed face. Hold for half an hour. Wash off. Vitamin composition moisturizes, softens and tightens the skin. Can be used in rosacea.
Dedicated to the benefits of feijoa material will be of interest to both men and women. Using recommendations for the prevention and treatment of diseases, you can maintain your health for a long time!