Hello My Dear Great Ones,
Visiting a Hong Kong fruit market is an interesting expereince to say the least. Exotic, very exotic compared to what is offered at Superstore in Red Deer. Here are some examples of what one can purchase at a typical open air fruit market.
Durian
If you’ve smelled a
durian even once, you probably remember it. Even with the husk intact, the notorious Asian fruit has such a potent stench that it’s
banned on the Singapore Rapid Mass Transit.
Food writer Richard Sterling has written “its odor is best described
as…turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock. It can be smelled
from yards away.”
Naturalist Alfred Wallace:
The five cells are silky-white within, and are filled with a mass of
firm, cream-coloured pulp, containing about three seeds each. This pulp
is the edible part, and its consistence and flavour are indescribable. A
rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea
of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind
cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes.
Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else
possesses, but which adds to its delicacy. It is neither acidic nor
sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these qualities, for it is in
itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other bad effect, and the more
you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop. In fact, to eat
Durians is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience. ...
as producing a food of the most exquisite flavour it is unsurpassed.[3
Durian can boost your immune system, prevent cancer and inhibit free radical activity, improve digestion, strengthen bones, reduces signs of anemia, cure insomnia, prevent premature aging, lower blood pressure, and protect against cardiovascular diseases.
Longan
The longan (from
Cantonese lùhng-ngáahn 龍眼,
literally "dragon eye"), is so named because it resembles an eyeball
when its fruit is shelled (the black seed shows through the translucent
flesh like a pupil/iris).
The fruit is sweet, juicy and succulent in superior agricultural
varieties.The taste is different from lychees; while longan have a drier
sweetness, lychees are often messily juicy with a more tropical, sour
sweetness.
Longan fruit contains rich amount of Vitamin C that is equal to 80% of
daily requirement. It also contains minerals like iron, phosphorus,
magnesium and potassium. It is also rich in Vitamin A and essential in
anti-oxidants.
Roseapples
Some of the health benefits of rose
apples include their ability to detoxify the liver,
improve digestion, protect against
diabetes, improve the immune system, lower cholesterol, prevent certain types of
cancers, eliminate fungal and bacterial infections, reduce
fevers, and even halt epileptic seizures.
Despite of the misleading name, rose apples are
not related to roses or apples. In fact, rose apples are most closely related to
guava, and although there are multiple species, the most commonly eaten variety has the
scientific name Syzygium jambos.
Its flavor is similar to a
snow pear, and the liquid-to-flesh ratio of the wax apple is comparable to a
watermelon.
Satsuma Plum
Maybe the most well known of all blood plums, the Satsuma plum is a mid
season plum, largest in size, rounded dark red, firm juicy spicy flesh,
described by one local nurseryman here as having a ‘satisfying clove
like depth’ of flavour. The Satsuma plum is a good bearer, useful for
preserving and bottling, partly self fertile and gives even bigger crops
if cross pollinated.
Helps manage
high blood pressure and reduce stroke risk.
Mango
- One cup of mangos is just 100 calories, so it’s a satisfyingly sweet treat.
- Each serving of mango is fat free, sodium free and cholesterol free.
- Mangos contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, helping to make them a superfood.
- In many Latin American countries, mango on a stick with the skin peeled back is sold by street vendors
- Mangos can be enjoyed with salt, lime juice or chili powder for a unique flavor experience
- Mangos have natural tenderizing properties, making them a perfect ingredient for marinades
- Try the versatile mango in smoothies, salads, salsas, chutneys, on
fish, chicken or pork, as a dessert or just plain as a delicious snack
Sugar Apple
The flesh is fragrant and sweet, creamy white through light yellow, and resembles and tastes like
custard.
Sugar apple is a rich source of essential
nutrients and vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B and
antioxidants which are vital for maintaining healthy and youthful
looking skin. Regular intake of sugar apple is equally effective towards
delaying ageing, preventing sunburn and promoting the rejuvenation of
the skin cells.
Lychee
If you can get your hands on some
fresh lychees (they're in season in May and June in the northern
hemisphere), you will probably be delighted by the taste and texture
(it's somewhat like a grape).
The flavonoids, fiber and antioxidants in lychees may support heart health.
Mangosteen
The
fruit of the mangosteen is sweet and tangy, juicy, somewhat fibrous, with fluid-filled vesicles (
like the flesh of
citrus fruits), with an inedible, deep reddish-purple colored rind (
exocarp) when
ripe.
[2
Mangosteens have been used in numerous anti-cancer studies, with
positive results. One study showed how mangosteens can significantly
slow the growth of cancerous colorectal tumors.
1 Another indicated the potential to successfully slow prostate cancer.
2
Fun fact. Queen Victora's favorite fruit was the mangosteen.
Pamolo
Pomelos are
considered citrus
fruits, and are closely related to
grapefruits and the other members of the Citrus genus.
Pomelos are a very good source of potassium, and each fruit contains
roughly 37% of your daily requirement. Potassium is a vasodilator,
meaning that it releases the tension of blood vessels and promotes
increased blood circulation and oxygenation of organ systems. It also
reduces strain on the heart and lowers your chances of
atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Dragon Fruit
Tastes kind of like kiwi. Really good eaten cold. Also known as
pitaya, these fun-looking fruits contain
around 60 calories each and are rich in vitamin C, B1, B2 and B3, and
minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus. And that’s not all. This
is definitely one of the best "super fruits" out there.
So one reason why the life span of south east Asians is so long is because of their diet. Rich in life giving nutrients southeast Asian fruits not only taste good, but are GOOD for you too. Totally win win.
Have a great week. Love adios and ping on!
Dirk
