Alycha: useful properties and contraindications

Everyone is familiar with the look and taste of the cherry plum, but not everyone is aware of how useful and irreplaceable it is. The spheres of its application in human life are very versatile - cooking, medicine, cosmetology.

What is the difference between cherry plums and cherry plums

If you ask anyone about the relationship between plums and cherry plums, most often you can get the answer that a cherry plum is a plum. And this statement is correct only if the term "plum" means a genus, not a fruit tree. Let's break this down in more detail.

In botany, there is a genus of plants called Plum. This genus includes such fruit trees as apricot, cherry, almond, cherry plum, plum, etc. Therefore, a cherry plum is a Plum only if a genus is meant. If a species of a fruit tree is meant, then plum and alycha are absolutely different plants. On this basis, it should be concluded that cherry plum and "home plum" are a kind of sisters belonging to the Plum family.

There are also the following significant differences between plum and alycha:

1. Origin. The plum was brought to the territory of post-Soviet countries from Western Europe, while the cherry plum comes from Asia Minor.
2. Color. Plum fruits have a blue, purple or crimson color, while cherry plums have a yellow or yellowish-red color.
3. Stone. In plums it is easily removed from the fruit, but in cherry plums it is difficult to separate it from the flesh of the fruit.
4. Harvest ripening and shelf life. The cherry plum harvest falls at the end of August and the beginning of autumn. Plum trees ripen by the middle of summer. Plucked cherry plums store better and longer, and are more resistant to pests and diseases, unlike plums. This is due to the reduced sugar level in its composition.
5. Taste. Alycha is noticeably sourer. Plum is more suitable for the role of a dessert fruit. Due to the unique taste of alycha and the absence of its sugary sweetness, it is the main ingredient in the preparation of traditional Georgian tkemali sauce. But, for example, the high content of sugars in plums makes it possible to prepare prunes.

Composition and calories

The nutritional value of ripe cherry plums per 100 g is as follows:

• proteins - 0.2 g;
• fats - 0.1 g;
• Carbohydrates (including sugar) - 8 g;
• dietary fiber - 1.9 g
• water - 89 g
• starch - 0.1 g.

Despite the fact that the composition of alycha is dominated by carbohydrates, it is allowed to eat people who are on a diet, since its caloric value is only 34 kcal per 100 grams.

The chemical composition of alycha is rich in vitamins, macro- and micronutrients, such as vitamins B, C, E, PP, beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Useful properties of alycha

In terms of its influence on the human body, the cherry plum is similar to the plum. Do not be surprised, because, as stated above, these trees are closely related to each other. But still its useful properties are much more valuable and have a wider range of effects on human health.

For women

Some sources indicate that the alycha has a positive effect on women's health. It is impossible to fully agree with this, since with the help of its fruits it is impossible to cure gynecological diseases or prevent them. But it should be mentioned that this fruit in its chemical composition has an increased content of magnesium. The signs of the deficiency of this mineral are loss of strength, depressed mood, irritability. The relationship between the magnesium contained in the cherry plum and women's health is explained by its direct effect on a regular menstrual cycle and the timely onset of ovulation, as well as facilitating the onset of menopause.

For men

As for the relationship between the fruit of the cherry plum and men's health, the fruit has effects similar to parsley. The fruit of cherry plum, also called alycha, is rich in beta-carotene, which is beneficial for healthy potency in men and increases the production of the testosterone hormone. Regular use of fresh cherry plums or tincture of their flowers helps to maintain or even regain potency.

When pregnant

Alycha is a treasure trove of useful vitamins, which are very necessary for the woman and the baby during pregnancy.

1. Vitamin E contained in the fruit helps in the formation of the placenta and reduces the risk of its detachment.
2. B vitamins reduce toxemia, improve uterine tone and have a beneficial effect on the growth of organs and tissues of the child, especially on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
3. Cherry plums should be also consumed by pregnant women because of its high magnesium content, which affects the development of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus and reduces the nervous tension of the expectant mother.
4. The nutritional value of cherry plums also contains iron, which prevents the development of anemia in the baby and minimizes the likelihood of fetal hypoxia.

It is necessary to remember that overindulgence in any product during pregnancy can cause an allergic reaction, heartburn or diarrhea. The recommended daily rate for pregnant women should not exceed 5 fresh fruits.

When breastfeeding

Nursing women are recommended to add cherry plums to their diet according to the same criteria as pregnant women. After childbirth, the young mother's body is weakened and more vulnerable, and the vitamins and minerals of this fruit will help in the normalization of health.

It should also be noted that all the useful trace elements consumed by the mother are transmitted through the milk to the newborn baby.

For children

Children's immunity is weaker than that of an adult, and therefore more susceptible to viruses. Vitamin C in this sour-sweet fruit is a micronutrient that helps fight the first signs of a cold and has a preventive function against most viral diseases. Also, mashed alycha is a great dish to start baby's complementary foods with. If you decide to include puree in the diet of a young child, it should be prepared exclusively from yellow fruits. Be sure to monitor the reaction of the child's body to the fruit in order to avoid possible allergic reactions.

It is worth mentioning that for children this fruit acts as a kind of growth stimulant.

When losing weight

As mentioned above, cherry plum is a low-calorie fruit with minimal fat and carbohydrates, so people who want to lose weight are allowed to include it in their diet.

A cherry plum has a mild laxative effect, as a result of which the body cleans itself of toxins and slags without too much discomfort. Alycha has a lot of fiber, which does a good job of speeding up the metabolism, as well as creating a longer feeling of fullness in the stomach than other fruits. Alycha is a natural diuretic, which removes excess fluid from the body and removes edema.

When dieting, the fruit of the alycha is recommended to use for breakfast as a supplement and sweetener for oatmeal, and it is worth considering it as a snack between the main meals.

What are the benefits of green cherry plums

The cherry plum differs from most other fruits in that its unripe fruit is very useful and does not lag behind the already ripe ones in popularity.

Green cherry plums are characterized by high levels of vitamin C, which is why they are actively used for industrial purposes for the production of citric acid.

Dishes with the addition of unripe alycha have a good effect on digestion. Thanks to its properties and increased acidity, there is no feeling of heaviness after a dense meal.

By the way, green alycha has an amazing property - it sharply reduces blood pressure. If a person, in accordance with the characteristics of the body, the blood pressure is often within the lower limits, then it is better not to put a lot of weight on this fruit. Also, you should be careful with unripe fruits for those who have increased acidity in the stomach or have ulcers.

Are red cherry plums useful?

If you compare the useful properties of red and yellow cherry plums, they are not different from each other in any way. Red cherry plums are just as useful and do not have any specific features. It is only worth noting that it is sweeter because of its higher sugar content. Its chemical composition has a higher level of pectin, which removes radionuclides from the body.

An important advantage of red alycha is that it contains the most polyphenols. These substances actively contribute to the purification of blood vessels and prevent the increase in blood cholesterol levels.

The benefits of alycha kernels

Not only the pulp of the fruit is used in production and human life. Alycha can be classified as a zero waste product. For example, cherry plum pips are used to produce activated charcoal and vegetable oil, which is as valuable as almond oil. In cosmetology, the pit of the fruit has found its use as components of rejuvenating and cleansing scrubs.

Useful properties of cherry plum leaves

The biochemical composition of cherry plum leaves includes vitamins A, PP, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. They are dried and processed into a condiment or herbal tea. Adding dried cherry plum leaves to food has a beneficial effect on the absorption of healthy fats from other foods.

Tea based on cherry plum leaves tones the body and calms the nervous system well, it is also brewed for colds, avitaminosis, kidney and liver diseases.

From the leaves and flowers of alycha are prepared tinctures or decoctions for male potency. It should be emphasized that such a tincture is also used externally to wipe the skin for varicose veins and inflammatory rashes on the face.

Alycha in medicine

In traditional medicine, the fruit of the alycha tree is used only in the production of activated charcoal, which is not the case with folk remedies. Let's analyze the following options for the use of cherry plum by a person in certain diseases, in which cases it is worth to include in your diet, and in what situations it is better to avoid.

When diabetics.

When choosing food, diabetics pay attention to the level of the glycemic index, which should not exceed 70 units. As for the fruit of alycha, in it this index reaches a mark of 25 units, which makes it possible to assert with one hundred percent certainty that with diabetes it is possible to use this fruit.

Doctors do not just allow patients to introduce alycha into their daily diet, but strongly recommend it. This is because cherry plum fruits are rich in vitamins and amino acids, which normalize metabolism and saturate the body of diabetics with all the necessary microelements without the risk of unexpected spikes in blood sugar.

With type 2 diabetes, people often suffer from excess weight, and regular consumption of alycha helps to get rid of a few extra kilograms per month without harming their health.

In pancreatitis

With pancreatitis, the list of fruits and vegetables allowed to eat is extremely small. The whole problem is that the sick and irritated pancreas is extremely negatively affected by fiber.

You can consume alycha only after consulting a doctor who is managing the patient and is deeply aware of the severity and course of the disease.

If the ban on the use of this fruit bypassed the patient, it is necessary to adhere to several rules:

1. The permissible amount is one fruit per day.
2. It is strictly forbidden to eat green, unripe alycha.
3. The fruit should be thermally processed in a steamer or oven.

Cherry plum is a very useful fruit, so a sufficient amount of vitamins and useful elements is preserved even after its processing.

With Gastritis

Medical experts argue that the alycha for people suffering from gastritis will be useful in the same way as the plum. You should pay attention to the fact that you should use only ripe fruits, pre-cleaning them from the peel. Strictly prohibited unripe or overripe fruit because of the increased level of acidity, which has a deleterious effect on the irritated mucous membrane of the stomach. Do not abuse alycha, the daily rate should not exceed three pieces per day.

At gastritis are very useful dishes, in the preparation of which the alycha is used. This is argued by the fact that when the gastrointestinal tract is sick, it helps very well in assimilation and digestion of "heavy" food, which is its undeniable advantage in comparison with other fruits and vegetables.

For constipation

Alycha, like all other fruits of trees of the Plum family, has a mild laxative effect on the human intestines. With chronic constipation in the daily diet should be used not only fresh fruit, but it is recommended to drink decoctions of the fruits and leaves of the alycha. Such a drink is very simple to prepare. For this you will need:

• 50 g of alycha;
• 10-20 grams of cherry leaves;
• 250 ml of boiling water.

The leaves should initially be softened in the palm of your hand with clapping. This is necessary in order for the decoction to receive as many useful substances as possible. Separate the pit from the fruit and cut into small pieces. Pour boiling water over the leaves and fruit and let stand for about 4-5 hours. Strain and take broth 80 ml 3 times a day before meals.

With gout

With gout and rheumatism, the use of alycha, unfortunately, instead of benefits, can cause harm to the body. Doctors recommend excluding it from the diet of patients.

Its cosmetic uses

The cherry plum fruit is extremely popular in cosmetology and not only in the preparation of folk cosmetics, but also in professional mass production.

Cherry plum seeds are used to make oil, which is used either as an independent means in the daily skin care ritual, or as an auxiliary ingredient in masks and creams. It is also recommended as a mask for nourishing hair and preventing split ends. Simply distribute the oil over the entire length of your hair, except for the root zone, and go to sleep, and in the morning wash your hair with your usual products. After the first treatment you will be delighted with soft, manageable and silky hair.

Another possible way to process the seeds in the cosmetic brands is to grind and polish, after which they are added to the scrub. Such peels are very appreciated among consumers, as they gently exfoliate keratinized particles and at the same time do not traumatize the healthy layer of the epidermis.

Touching on the topic of folk remedies on the basis of alycha, it should be noted that every woman selects for herself the best way to preserve youth by experimenting and trying. If this miracle tree grows in your garden, we recommend checking out some popular home recipes:

1. Fruit ice for washing. Prepare a decoction on the basis of the alycha fruit and its leaves, cool, strain and pour into the molds for freezing. In each cube add a couple of drops of vegetable oil and put in the freezer. Wash every morning with such ice, it is good for narrowing pores and tones the skin, and ascorbic acid helps to whiten it.
2. Alycha mask. For it you will need a couple of ripe berries and half a glass of purified water. Grind alycha into pulp, pour water, add a tablespoon of olive oil and place in the fridge for 24 hours. After infusion, the mask is ready for use. Spread it evenly on your face, and after 20 minutes, wash it off with warm water. The skin will become smooth, fresh and naturally glowing. The mask is also recommended for use with skin rashes.
3. Decoction for the hair. To strengthen the roots and prevent hair loss, boil the cherry plum for a few minutes in water. Recommended proportions: 400 grams of fruit per 1 liter of water. Every time you wash your hair, finish with a rinse with this decoction. After a few weeks of regular use, your hair will be noticeably stronger, more manageable and softer.

Health Hazards and Contraindications

No matter how many vitamins and beneficial properties would not include alycha, it, like any other product, has a number of contraindications:

1. Allergic reactions both to the fruit as a whole, and to its individual trace elements. People with an intolerance to vitamin C should carefully consume the alycha and monitor the overall reaction of the body.
2. Diseases of gout and rheumatism.
3. Acute gastritis and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - the use of alycha is recommended only after consulting your doctor.
4. A tendency to diarrhea.
5. Children under 12 years of age should not eat dried cherry plums in large quantities.

You should not overindulge in the consumption of this fruit. This is fraught with the appearance of negative consequences, such as heartburn and diarrhea.

How to choose and store cherry plums

Compared to other fruits, cherry plums are not fussy, so its storage in fresh form can be quite long-term. In order to keep the fresh fruit as long as possible after the harvest, you will need a cool cellar and wooden crates. Be sure to sort through all the fruit and sort by ripeness level and the presence of damage on the skin. Greenish fruits will be stored longer, as they still need time to fully mature. Fresh fruit can be kept in the cellar for about a month.

You can also use the refrigerator to store berries for a long time. Place whole berries (without damage) in a plastic bag, filling it 2/3 full, and send them to the refrigerator.

At room temperature, on average, alycha will keep no longer than a week.

When choosing a fruit, we recommend paying attention to some features:

1. Ripe fruits are moderately firm. This means that after pressing on the berry remains a slightly noticeable dent.
2. A white scum on the fruit - it is normal, you should not be afraid of it.
3. If the alycha fruit is sticky and has cracks, then, most likely, they are overripe or were subjected to improper transportation and storage. Such fruit is very perishable and unsuitable for storage even for a few days.

Can I Freeze

Like any other fruit or vegetable, a cherry plum can be frozen. In this case, all the useful vitamins and elements retain their properties. There are several options for this preparation.

1. The first and easiest is to freeze the berries together with the pit. To do this, wash the fruit, dry it thoroughly, and select only whole and undamaged fruits for freezing. For ease of use in the future, it is recommended to freeze each fruit individually before placing them in a bag for freezing and storage. Arrange the alycha on a tray or tray in a row and send them to the freezer for a few hours. Once the fruit is frosted on the outside, you can safely bag them together.
2. The second method is more time-consuming, as it involves freezing only the berry pulp. It is known that the pit in the alycha is difficult to separate from the fruit, but in the future use of this option of fruit preparation will facilitate the life of the hostess. If you are a fan of baking, we recommend spending an extra hour and remove the stones from the alycha. The technology of freezing is exactly the same as in the case of making whole berries.
3. Another interesting way to prepare cherry plums for the winter is to freeze the berries together with sugar. Those who do not have time or desire to cook jam, and at home on the shelf idly rests a blender, we recommend using this option. Separate the berries from the seeds, beat them with a blender and add sugar to taste. The resulting jam, you can call it that, pour it into containers or airtight bags and freeze it. Just imagine how on a cold winter morning you will add a spoonful of cherry plums to your tea or pour this jam over still warm pancakes.

Remember, if you use an airtight package, the vitamins and all the flavors in the cherry plums during freezing are preserved for 10-12 months.

Can you dry them

Drying the alycha fruit is another way of making fruit for the winter. Dried fruits from this berry can be prepared using the following methods:

• in an electric dryer;
• the natural way in the sun;
• in the oven.

The method of drying in an electric dryer is the easiest and does not require special efforts and constant supervision. If you do not have this device in the arsenal of your home helpers, you can use more authentic ways.

The option of drying cherry plums in the sun does not require any financial investment, the energy of the sun will help you. However, be prepared to constantly drive away flies, to turn the berries from time to time, to move them from place to place according to the season of the day and the direction of the sun's rays.

If you live in an apartment, try drying the fruit in the oven. This method of cooking dried fruit takes on average about 6-8 hours at a temperature of 40-45 degrees. It should be noted that not every home oven always keeps the exact and necessary temperature, so if you dry alycha in the oven for the first time, do not leave the fruit unattended for a long time, so as not to burn it.

What can be made of alycha: recipes

Agree that the consumption of any fresh fruit or vegetable will quickly get bored. Alycha is good not only in sweets and jams, but also very interesting in salty dishes. It is very popular in the countries of Transcaucasia and Asia and is widely used by chefs to create culinary masterpieces. Wine, marmalade, sweet and sour sauces for meat, and ajika are an incomplete list of things that can be made from alycha.

To diversify your gastronomic knowledge and skills, as well as to discover new flavors, let's break down the most interesting recipes.

Jam

Alycha jam is prepared on the basis of syrup and with a small amount of sugar in the ratio to the fruit. This is due to the fact that the fruit has a sufficient amount of pectin, which independently thickens the product.

Preparation begins with preparing the fruit, removing the pips and boiling the syrup. For the sugar syrup for 1 kg of fresh fruit use 200 ml of water and 120 grams of sugar.

In a saucepan with a thick bottom send the sugar and water. Do not stir the syrup during cooking, to avoid the process of crystallization of the sugar. When the syrup darkens and takes on a light amber color, add the cherry plums. Thoroughly stir with a wooden spatula and boil for 5 minutes. Repeat this short boil for two more days.

Jelly

To prepare jelly from alycha, use the method and technology, as for the preparation of jam. You only need to increase the amount of sugar (750 grams of sugar per 1 kg of fruit) and extend the boiling time to 40 minutes. The longer the mass will cook, the thicker the jelly will be. At the end, you only need to add a pack of gelatin and put it in the refrigerator after cooling.

Tkemali

Every connoisseur of Georgian cuisine is familiar with this sauce. It perfectly complements the taste of any main dish, especially poultry, lamb and fish. It is very simple to prepare and you will need the following products:

• alycha - 1 kg;
• bundles of fresh dill and coriander;
• garlic - 5 large cloves;
• salt - 1 tsp;
• ground hot red paprika - 1/3 tsp;
• hopli- suneli - 1 tsp;
• utscho suneli - 1/2 tsp;
• dried ombalo - 1/4 tsp;
• ground coriander - 1/4 tsp.

Preparation:

1. Rinse the alycha, remove the pips and send to the fire. So that the berries do not stick to the bottom, add a little water. Over low heat bring the fruit to a boil and continue cooking, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Set aside the berry mass until morning.
2. Pass the herbs along with the garlic through a meat grinder and mix with the spices. Do not add salt.
3. The next day, drain the excess liquid from the alycha, and grind the berries through a fine sieve.
4. Send the mass back into the pot, add the spice mixture with garlic and salt.
5. Cook for 7-10 minutes. The sauce is ready.

Wine

For making alycha wine you will need:

• ripe alycha fruit - 3 kg;
• water - 4 liters;
• sugar - 300-350 grams (per 1 liter of juice after fermentation).

Preparation:

1. Alycha berries do not wash (so as not to wash off the fruit yeast) and knead with hands or a rolling pin into a mashed mass.
2. In a special container for fermentation send fruit pulp and water. We seal the neck with gauze and send to store in a dark, warm place for 2-3 days.
3. As soon as the mass begins to show signs of a yeast reaction, we strain it into another container, about 2/3 full. In the same place we add the first portion of sugar (100 grams per 1 liter).
4. On the neck of the container set a special water seal or put a latex glove, piercing it with a needle a few holes. Return the future wine in a dark and warm place.
5. After 4 days, we add the next portion of sugar (100 g per 1 liter), having previously diluted it in a small amount of wort.
6. After 5 days we add the last sugar according to the same technology. The final fermentation period takes 25-50 days.
7. After the fermentation procedure, carefully pour the wine, leaving the sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
8. We pour it into bottles and put it in a dark place. In 2-3 months the wine will infuse, its flavor will unfold, and it will be fully ready for consumption.

Ajika

To make ajika with cherry plums you will need

• cherry plums - 0.5 kg;
• chili pepper - half a pod;
• coriander and fresh parsley;
• garlic - 4 large cloves;
• salt and sugar - to taste.

Preparation:

1. Boil the alycha with a little water, grind through a sieve.
2. Return the fruit puree to the fire and add all other ingredients, chopping them beforehand.
3. Boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool and leave to infuse for a few hours. The adjika is ready!

Ketchup

Ingredients:

• red alycha - 2 kg;
• tomatoes - 350 grams;
• salt - 1 tbsp;
• sugar - 1 tbsp;
• garlic - 150 g;
• sweet pepper - 2 pcs;
• hot pepper - to taste;
• seasonings - at will.

Preparation:

1. Alycha berries with tomatoes boiled and grated through a sieve.
2. Pepper and garlic paste through a meat grinder. Combine with the fruit and tomato paste.
3. Boil it for about 20 minutes. Add salt, sugar and spices.

Compote

Drinks based on alycha excellent thirst quencher in the summer and prevent fluid stagnation in the body. Kompot from just plucked from the tree berries is very tasty and incredibly useful.

To make compote for the winter, we recommend using ingredients for one three-liter jar in the following proportions:

• ripe yellow alycha - 300 g;
• water - 300 ml;
• sugar - 200 gr.

Jars are washed with baking soda and sterilized. Wash the berries, sort them and put them in jars. We send water to the fire and wait until it almost boils. Then pour the water into jars and leave the fruit in the water for half an hour. Then we pour the water back into the pot, and now bring it to a full boil. While the water is being prepared for the fruit, we pour sugar. We carefully pour the boiling water into jars, screw them up, turn them over and wrap them with a towel.

Such a preparation stored in a place that excludes direct sunlight.

Pastila

To make marshmallow you will need an electric dryer.

Ingredients:

• red alycha - 1 kg;
• sugar - 150 grams;
• water - 25 ml.

Preparation:

1. Boil the berries with water for 5 minutes.
2. Ready to grind the fruit through a sieve and send back to the fire, adding sugar.
3. Again simmer for 7-10 minutes.
4. Put parchment on the bottom of an electric dehydrator, pour the puree in a thin layer and dry it until it reaches the desired consistency.

Marmalade

Prepare the following ingredients:

• ripe alycha berries - 1 kg;
• sugar - 600 g;
• agar - 25 g.

Process:

1. Prepare mashed alycha according to the same principle as in the marshmallow recipe.
2. Return mashed cherry plums to the fire, bring them to a boil and add sugar and agar. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Pour the puree into a mould for solidifying, firstly wrap it inside with clingfilm. This will make it easier to take the marmalade out of the dish.
4. Put it in the fridge for 4 hours.
5. Take out the marmalade, cut it into desired pieces and coat all sides with sugar.

This marmalade can be stored for two weeks

Juice

Alycha juice can be prepared using a juicer or the following technology: pre-prepare fruit puree from cherry plums, dilute it with water to the desired consistency and boil it. Ready juice to pour into sterile jars.

Pickled cherry plums

Pickled cherry berries are an excellent and not trivial wine tapas, for which you will need:

• Alycha - as many as will fit in a jar;
• bay leaf - 1 pc;
• allspice - 3 peas;
• cloves - 4 pcs;
• coriander - 1/2 tsp;
• salt - 1/2 tsp;
• sugar - 1 tbsp;
• water - 300-400 ml;
• apple cider vinegar - 25 ml.

Preparation:

1. Washed, whole berries put into a sterile jar to the neck.
2. Boil water, pour cherry plums, cover and let rest for 5 minutes.
3. Pour the water back into the pot, bring it to a boil again. Add all the spices. Remove from heat and add the vinegar.
4. Pour the marinade fruit, close the jar and turn it.

Interesting facts about alycha

In conclusion, we would like to mention some little-known, but interesting facts about the cherry plum, which you have not guessed:

1. The alycha tree is quite long-lived. It can live up to 35 years, but stops fruiting on average after 15 years.
2. The crossing of a cherry plum and a thorn yields a common plum.
3. In China, the cherry plum tree is considered a symbol of winter.
4. Cherry plum seedlings are best planted either in early spring or early autumn.
5. Scientists are still arguing about the origin of the cherry plum. Some believe that it comes from the crossing of the apricot with the cherry, while others hold the opinion that this tree, as a species of the plum genus, appeared independently.

Picture of a cherry plum