What is feijoa and how to eat it

Feijoa is not only delicious, but also useful berry. It ripens in late fall, when most fruits and vegetables are already over. On the face of it, feijoa is a completely unremarkable fruit of dark green color, resembling a green shriveled tomato, but it has an amazing, incomparable taste.

What is Feijoa and where does it grow?

Feijoa is a kind of evergreen shrubs or small trees of the genus Akka of the Myrtle family. The height of the plant does not exceed 4 meters. Its fruits are quite large in size, so they are often referred to as fruit. This is fundamentally incorrect statement, the feijoa is an oval-shaped berry. On the outside, it has a yellow-green to dark green rind. The flavor of the rind is tart. The texture of the skin may be smooth or pitted. Inside the fruit is a pale flesh which tastes like a combination of strawberry, pineapple and kiwi.

Feijoa was first discovered in Brazil by Portuguese naturalist Juan da Silva Feijo in the mid XIX century. Remarkably, it is in his honor that the plant and its fruit got its name. Later it was found in northern Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay. Habitat for feijoa - mountainous regions with subtropical climate.

At the end of XIX century the first specimens of this exotic plant were brought to France, and from there in 1900 seedlings of feijoa were sent to the Russian Empire, mainly to the territory of the modern peninsula Crimea and Sukhumi. Currently, the habitat of feijoa is quite wide: these are the southern regions of the Russian Federation, Armenia, Abkhazia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece and the Pacific coast of America.

Interesting fact: Feijoa is grown not only for the sake of obtaining tasty and useful berries, but also for landscaping. The fact is that the plant is characterized by lush beautiful flowers, which are perfect for decorating streets and parks.

Rules for choosing a juicy and ripe fruit

In order to enjoy the amazing delicate taste of feijoa, you should choose ripe fruits. Here are some tips for choosing a quality berry:

1. When buying, you should give preference to larger fruits. According to experts, they contain the most useful substances.
2. You need to pay attention to the color of the berry, it should be uniform. There must not be any dark spots on the skin, because they can cause rotting, and such a fruit is not suitable for food.
3. Also on the rind should not be any damage and dents.
4. The fruit should be firm and elastic. It is the firmness that allows to judge that the feijoa is not overripe and ready to eat completely. But the hardness indicates that the fruit is not mature. But this is not a problem. The berry is perfectly ripe in room conditions for 2-3 days. Experts say that the harvest of the plant specifically harvested before maturity to avoid rotting and spoilage of the fruit during transport.
5. It is better to avoid buying soft fruits. As a rule, softness means that the fermentation process has begun.

If possible, it is worth asking the seller to cut one of the berries and look closely at the inner contents. The white flesh indicates that the feijoa is not mature, the transparent-cream color and jelly-like structure indicate maturity, and the brown color is not characteristic of quality fruit pulp and indicates that it has begun to spoil. Such a product is not worth buying.

Important point: Consume the fruits of feijoa should only be in a ripe form. First, it will allow you to enjoy the unique taste, and secondly, to get the maximum benefit for the body.

How to eat feijoa properly

Opinions on how to properly eat fresh feijoa differ. Some people prefer to eat the berry together with the peel, as they believe that in the outer part of the fruit there are as many useful substances as in the inner. Others eat only the pulp, believing that the tart rind distorts the delicate taste. For the latter, there is a classic way of eating feijoa: cut the fruit across and use a teaspoon to extract the pulp. To prepare dishes with the addition of feijoa, experts recommend using the berry together with the skin.

How much you can eat per day

The daily dose of consumption for each person is determined individually, but it is necessary to take into account the chemical composition of the pulp and rind of the berry. Especially worth paying attention to the high content of iodine, which is comparable with the content of this element in seafood. The proportion of this macronutrient in one medium-sized fruit is about 35 micrograms.

People suffering from thyroid problems, caused by iodine deficiency, are recommended to eat 3-5 pieces of feijoa per day, depending on age and weight. This amount corresponds to the necessary daily norm for a person whose body is deficient in iodine.

With a normal content of iodine and for preventive purposes is enough to take a day of 2 berries of large size. The daily dose for children is one large fruit.

To correctly calculate the daily dose of eating feijoa, do not forget that, in addition to iodine, the fruit saturates the body with other nutrients. For example, one berry can be a source of folic acid, its content in a medium-sized fruit is about 6% of the required daily allowance. One feijoa is able to saturate the human body 47% of the daily dose of vitamin C. The chemical composition of the berry, which we will talk about below, should be taken into account in the regular inclusion in the diet.

Can I eat on an empty stomach and at night

It is not recommended to eat feijoa on an empty stomach. Because of the high content of iodine and vitamin C, the fruit, eaten on an empty stomach, can adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract, cause heartburn and stool disorders. But for the night these exotic berries are quite possible to eat. However, experts recommend to eat them a few hours before bedtime. Feijoa with tea is a great substitute for a late dinner for those who maintain a slim figure. By the way, with the help of berries you can get rid of a few extra pounds, but we will tell you about this below.

Is it possible to eat with the peel

Feijoa can be eaten directly with the skin, it all depends on personal preferences. In addition, in the green, to the taste tart skin contains many more useful substances than in the tender and fragrant flesh.

Usually peeled when adding berries to desserts and puddings. In fresh form, most people prefer to consume feijoa only the pulp, as the taste of the skin is very specific, and not everyone likes it.

How to store feijoa properly

Feijoa is a fast spoiling product. Therefore, it is recommended to eat it fresh immediately after purchase. Allowed to store berries in the refrigerator, but no more than 1-2 weeks. If you want to enjoy delicious and healthy feijoa on cold winter evenings, it is better to subject it to heat treatment and make a healing compote or jam. In this form, the shelf life increases up to a year. The main condition is to store it in a cold room.

Feijoa can be frozen. When frozen, the product does not lose its medicinal properties. To do this, it must be crushed, add a little sugar, mix, pour into storage containers and send it to the freezer. An important point: the resulting mass should be poured into containers as quickly as possible, as the processed berry in the open air almost immediately darkens.

What is useful for feijoa

About the benefits of feijoa can be talked about endlessly. Undoubtedly, the fruit has a beneficial effect on the normal functioning of all organs and systems in the human body. But in order to be fully convinced of the usefulness of this exotic berry, it is worth considering its chemical composition. As mentioned above, feijoa contains a lot of iodine. In addition, the fruit boasts the content of the following beneficial substances: zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, rutin, organic, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, phytohormones, antioxidants, B vitamins, as well as A and C.

The nutritional value of feijoa allows eating it without harming the figure. In 100 grams of berries contains 1.1 g of protein, 1 g of fat and 10.9 g of carbohydrates. The caloric value for the same amount of product is only 49 kcal.

Thanks to its chemical composition feijoa is an irreplaceable product for human health. When it is used correctly and rationally, the fruit of the exotic tree has exceptional benefits to the human body. Feijoa has the following beneficial properties:

• immunostimulatory;
• soothing;
• antiviral;
• antiseptic;
• antimicrobial;
• analgesic;
• disinfectant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antiprosthetic.

Feijoa is rightfully considered a panacea for many diseases. Regular use of berries in moderation can bring invaluable benefits to the human body.

The benefits of

This autumn fruit is recommended for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases:

1. Thyroid disorders. The chemical composition of feijoa, especially the iodine included in it, has a favorable effect on the endocrine system, normalizes its functioning. Due to this restores hormonal background, which helps to avoid complications. Berry must be necessarily present in the diet of people suffering from thyroid disease, as well as for preventive purposes to avoid iodine deficiency and dysfunction of this organ.
2. Reduced immunity. Feijoa contains vitamins and substances that are responsible for the immune response and increase the body's natural defenses. Especially useful is the use of berries in the treatment of colds and viral diseases, as well as for preventive purposes in the fall and winter, when the body's resistance is reduced.
3. Oncology. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, the berry is actively used for the prevention of cancer, purification and rejuvenation of the body.
4. Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. Feijoa has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system of a person. Regular use of the berry breaks down cholesterol deposits, thinning the blood, strengthens blood vessels, normalizes heart function and restore blood pressure. The exotic fruit is used to prevent and treat arrhythmias, heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, blood clots, hypertension, and other pathologies caused by disorders of the cardiovascular system.
5. Diseases of the respiratory system. Included flavonoids improve the overall condition of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, effectively cleanse the bronchi and can increase the elasticity of the lungs. Feijoa is recommended to take for colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, maxillary sinusitis.
6. CNS problems. Feijoa fruits have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Because of this normalizes sleep, reduces irritability and anxiety, improves brain function and increases attention. Consumption of berries increases physical and mental capacity, improves mood.
7. Metabolic disorders. Feijoa normalizes and speeds up the metabolism. The useful sugar contained in the fruit gives the body the necessary energy, which is quickly digested, which prevents the appearance of excess weight. The berries are recommended to use in case of gastrointestinal disorders and overweight. The important point: feijoa pulp has a mild laxative effect, while the peel of the fruit in its fresh form has the opposite effect.
8. Kidney and liver malfunctions. Exotic berry normalizes the functioning of these organs, has a mild diuretic effect.
9. Pain in the joints. Regular use of feijoa helps to get rid of joint pain, improves bone health.

Benefits for women

Feijoa is an extremely useful product for the female body. The use of the berry improves the overall condition of the skin, increases its elasticity, helps to combat rashes, gets rid of acne and acne. In addition, feijoa saturates the body with nutrients, has a beneficial effect on the female reproductive system, relieves inflammation, reduces pain during menstruation, helps to survive the menopause more easily and even fights the problem of infertility.

Thanks to the folic acid in the composition of feijoa, the berry is recommended for use by pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. An important point: do not abuse this product, as it can provoke an allergic reaction and an overabundance of iodine, which is undesirable in the period of carrying the baby. The recommended dose of feijoa for pregnant women is several fruits per week.

But nursing women, experts do not advise to include feijoa in their diet. As you know, the body of the baby is highly reactive to any changes and excesses in the mother's menu. Of course, from one feijoa 1-2 times a month there will be no harm, but the excessive use can lead to rashes and the appearance of allergies in the crumb.

Benefits for men

On the male body feijoa also has a beneficial effect. In addition to the above-mentioned general useful properties, regular use of berries is an excellent prevention of diseases such as prostatitis, reproductive disorders, inflammatory processes of the urogenital system.

Benefits for children

For the children's body, the use of feijoa is also beneficial. The berry increases immunity, improves metabolism, has a positive effect on brain function under mental stress, has a positive effect on attention and memory, strengthens bones and teeth.

The harm

Of course, feijoa is a real treasure trove of vitamins and useful substances. It carries great benefits for human health. But do not forget that most of the healing gifts of nature with excessive use and some diseases can cause harm to the human body. Tasty southern fruit is no exception:

1. Because of its high glucose content, people suffering from diabetes and obesity should use feijoa with great caution and only after consulting a doctor.
2. People with diagnosed hyperthyroidism are contraindicated in the use of the berry. This is due to the high content of iodine in the chemical composition of feijoa.
3. Sometimes there is an allergic reaction or individual intolerance to the fruit. This is especially true for people trying the exotic berry for the first time. The product should be introduced into the diet gradually in small doses, while closely monitoring the overall health. At the slightest discomfort and rashes should abandon the use of feijoa.

There are also other contraindications:

1. With caution, you need to use the fruit in the last stages of pregnancy and during lactation.
2. It is not recommended to give the berry to children under 2 years of age.
3. It is also not recommended to combine the intake of feijoa with some products. For example, the berry combined with milk can cause GI disorders. It is better to refrain from eating spoiled fruit. They will not do any good, but harm in the form of poisoning may cause with high probability.
4. Overconsumption can cause an overdose of the body with a high concentration of useful substances, which will certainly manifest itself as fever, anxiety, heart palpitations and a decrease in both mental and physical performance.

What can be cooked of feijoa: recipes

To date, there are many recipes using feijoa. From berries cook compotes, jams, jams, prepare salads, add as an additional ingredient in the preparation of second courses and sauces. Fruits are used to make medicinal tinctures. We will tell you about some popular recipes below.

Feijoa compote

To make a delicious and healthy compote from feijoa you will need the following ingredients:

• feijoa - 500 g;
• water - 2 l ;
• sugar - 1 tbsp;
• Citric acid - 1 tsp.

The first thing you need to prepare a container to store our compote. Typically, this is done using regular glass jars, which should be sterilized. Once the container is prepared, fill it to 1/3 with berries. Bring the water to a boil and pour the resulting boiling water over the fruit. Wait for complete cooling of the liquid. Pour the water back into the pan. Add sugar and cook the syrup. At the end add citric acid. Pour the syrup over the feijoa. The liquid should fill the jar completely. Leave for 24 hours. After the specified time compote can be consumed.

Jam

To make jam according to this recipe, we will not conduct a thermal treatment of berries. Of the components will be required:

• Feijoa - 1 kg;
• sugar - 1 kg;
• Walnuts - 1 tbsp. (can be substituted for any other kind);
• A medium-sized lemon with a thin rind - 1 fruit.

Pour boiling water over the lemon and leave it for 10 minutes. Then cut it into pieces and remove all the seeds. Feijoa also cut into several pieces. Grate lemon and feijoa. You can use a blender or a meat grinder with a fine nozzle. To the resulting mass add crushed nuts and sugar. Mix thoroughly. Arrange in containers for storage. The jam will be ready in a couple of days, when it is infused. Store the sweet useful product in a closed form in a dark cool room.

Recipe for classic jam
This recipe for making jam from feijoa is notable for its simplicity. Only two ingredients will be needed: berries and sugar in equal proportions. Wash the fruit and cut off the tips. Pass feijoa through a meat grinder or grind in a blender. Add sugar to the resulting berry mass, mix thoroughly. Wait until the sugar has completely dissolved. Transfer to storage containers. Store in a dark, cool place.

Fruit salad

Delicious dietary salad is obtained from the following products:

• ripe sweet melon - 300 g;
• peaches of medium size - 5 pcs;
• large-sized feijoa - 5 pcs;
• cloves - 2-3 pcs;
• classical yogurt.

Peel melon and cut into cubes. Peaches cut into thin slices. Feijoa, as well as melon, peel and dice. Mix everything, add cloves and dress with yogurt. Delicious and healthy salad ready.

Feijoa confit

Not only does feijoa make an excellent jam, but also confit. To make it you will need the following ingredients:

• 350 grams of feijoa - 350 g;
• ginger root - 1 tbsp;
• fresh juice and lemon zest - half a fruit;
• gelling mix - 1 tbsp;
• sugar - 150 gr;
• water - 50 ml.

Mix in a saucepan ginger with lemon juice and crushed zest. Add the grinded berries and the gelling mixture to the ginger and lemon mass. Place on medium heat. Bring to the boil. Gently pour in sugar and water. Boil for 5-7 minutes. Remove from the stove and allow to cool.

Feijoa dessert

From feijoa you can prepare a delicate and delicious dessert that will pleasantly surprise even gourmands and will not harm the figure. To prepare it you will need the following components:

• large feijoa - 3 pcs;
• liquid honey - 1 tsp;
• prunes - 4 pcs;
• apple - 1 pc;
• pine nuts and pomegranate seeds - 10-20 grams each.

Wash the feijoa and cut it across. Use a teaspoon to carefully extract from the fruit pulp, which must then be mashed with a fork. To the mass of the pulp add honey, finely chopped prunes, grated apple. Mix everything thoroughly and put it in halves of feijoa. Garnish with pine nuts and pomegranate seeds.

Diet fish with feijoa sauce

This tasty and healthy dish must be present in the diet of every person who wants to lose weight. For its preparation you will need:

• lean fish - 1 kg;
• large sour apples - 3 pcs;
• ripe feijoa - 500 g;
• apple cider vinegar - 10-15 gr;
• Medium sized red onion - 1 pc;
• garlic - 5 cloves of garlic;
• ginger - 1 tbsp;
• sugar - 2 tablespoons.

The first thing to do is to bake the fish in the oven. To do this, clean it, rinse it well, cut it into slices 2-2.5 cm thick. Put it on a baking tray and send in a heated oven for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Cut apples into large slices, cut feijoa into four pieces. Mix both components. Cover with apple cider vinegar. Leave it for 15 minutes. Shred onion in half rings, add minced garlic and ginger. Lightly fry on a heated pan. Add the fruit-berry mixture, sugar and bring to the boil. After boiling, cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Pour the sauce over the fish and serve.

Recipe of feijoa to strengthen the nervous system

The remedy prepared according to this recipe will help with disorders of the nervous system. It reduces irritability and anxiety, normalizes the work of the brain, helps to fight insomnia. To make it you need the following ingredients:

• Feijoa - 350 g;
• walnuts - 150 grams;
• almonds, apricots, dates - 70 grams each;
• liquid honey - 50 ml;
• cinnamon powder - 0,5 tsp.

Dry nuts on a hot pan and chop. Pass feijoa, apricots and dates through a fine grinder. Mix everything, add cinnamon and season with honey. Thoroughly mix. The resulting healing mass stored in the refrigerator for no more than a month. Take 1 tbsp. an hour before going to bed.

Recipe for a cold remedy with feijoa

Due to its antimicrobial properties, feijoa is actively used for the preparation of remedies used in the treatment and prevention of colds. To prepare a simple, useful and very tasty means will require the following components:

• Feijoa - 200 g;
• Crushed ginger root - 50 g;
• lemon of medium size - 1 pc;
• liquid honey - 100 ml.

Wash feijoa and lemon and grind with a blender. Peel the ginger root and grate it on a fine grater. Mix all the ingredients, pour honey and mix thoroughly. Place in a glass jar with a lid. The remedy should infuse for a day. After the specified time, it is ready for use. Take 1 tsp. 3 times daily for 30 minutes before a meal.

Recipe healing remedy for the female body

The remedy prepared according to this recipe, normalizes the hormonal background, cleanses blood vessels and blood, has rejuvenating and restorative properties. To prepare it, you will need chopped feijoa fruit and honey in a ratio of 2:1. Thoroughly mix both ingredients. After 6 hours, the remedy is ready for use. Store in the refrigerator. Take 1 tsp. three times a day. The course of reception - a month. If necessary, after 2 weeks, the course can be repeated.

Recipe tonic tea drink.

To prepare a tonic healing drink will require the following ingredients:

• large leaf green tea - 1 tbsp;
• feijoa - 1 pc;
• water - 200 ml;
• sugar or honey - to taste.

Teapot pre-heat with boiling water. Put cut into four parts fruit in it, pour the brew and pour boiling water. Allow to infuse for 10 minutes. The important point - the temperature of the liquid should not exceed 75 degrees. Otherwise, the healing properties of the drink will be many times less. Honey should be added not to hot, but to warm tea.

Recipe for nalewka with feijoa

From feijoa you can prepare a delicious and fragrant nalewka. For this, the following ingredients will be required:

• high-quality vodka or moonshine - 500 ml;
• feijoa - 350 gr;
• sugar - 1 tbsp;
• water - 100 ml.

Wash the fruit, finely chop and put in glass jars. Mix the water with sugar and boil for 5 minutes. During boiling you should constantly remove the foam. The resulting liquid cool. With the syrup pour feijoa, add vodka. Close the jars tightly and insist 14 days in a dark cool place, shaking periodically. At the end of this period, cooked nalewka strain. The color of the finished product should be amber, flavor - pronounced.

Application of feijoa in cosmetology

In addition to the fact that feijoa has beneficial effects on the human body when consumed internally, the berry also has a positive effect on the skin when used for cosmetic purposes. Let's consider several effective remedies with the addition of this exotic fruit.

Recipe for a face mask

Face mask, prepared according to this recipe, nourishes and moisturizes the dermis, helps to get rid of shallow wrinkles, restores color and improves skin elasticity. To prepare a healing mask, the following ingredients will be required:

• Feijoa pulp - 1 fruit;
• olive or sesame oil - 1 tbsp;
• Freshly squeezed lime juice - 1 tsp.

Mix all ingredients and apply to previously cleansed skin. Time of action of the mask is 15-20 minutes. At the end of this time, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Apply face cream. The procedure should be performed 1-2 times a week.

Recipe for oily and problematic skin

Feijoa remedy will be a godsend for owners of oily and problematic skin. To prepare it you need to take:

• The pulp of ripe feijoa - 1 tbsp;
• camphor oil - 1 tbsp;
• fresh juice of any citrus to your taste - 1 tsp.

The resulting product is applied to the skin and left to work for 20 minutes. Then rinse off with lukewarm water. Apply every other day until the problem is completely eliminated.

Southern feijoa fruit - is not just delicious, but also very useful natural product. Its chemical composition includes many vitamins, micro- and macronutrients. With regular and proper use it has a beneficial effect on all organs of the human body. But you should not abuse these unique berries. Excessive intake of feijoa can seriously harm your health.

Photo of feijoa