What is Abiu Fruit?
Abiu (Pouteria caimito) is a tropical fruit native to South America and is found in Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. The fruit belongs to the Sapotaceae family. Abiu fruit is called by various other names in different regions. It is called as temare in Venezuela; caimito in Colombia; luma or cauje in Ecuador; abieiro or caimito in Brazil; yellow sapote or yellow star apple in Trinidad. Although abiu fruit is very popular for its therapeutic benefits, it is sometimes underappreciated because its peel contains white and viscous fluid that sticks to the lips.
Abiu fruit is round to oval in shape, smooth and pointed at the stigma. When the fruit ripens, it turns bright yellow in color. The outer skin of the abiu fruit is inedible and has a leathery texture. The fruit contains a sticky latex when it is immature and the cut surface browns rapidly in contact with air. The latex disappears as the fruit matures. The translucent flesh tastes like caramel and contains up to five seeds.
Abiu can be eaten fresh and sometimes it is added to salads. The jelly-like pulp can be added to jam, yogurt and sherbets by combining the fruit with coconut milk and pure cane sugar. The taste of the fruit can be enhanced when it is refrigerated. Adding lemon juice to the fruit enhances the flavor. As a precautionary measure, people are advised to oil their lips while consuming abiu fruit to keep the latex from sticking their lips.
Health Benefits of Abiu Fruit
Abiu fruit offers several health benefits owing to its rich vitamin and mineral content. Abiu is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B3 (niacin), calcium, phosphorus and dietary fiber.
Improves Vision
Abiu fruit is beneficial to improve vision due to its higher vitamin A content just like carrots and tomatoes. It also helps prevent several eye disorders. About 100 grams of abiu fruit provides 130 ug of Vitamin A.
Boosts Immune System
Abiu Fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C, which helps boost immunity and improve the defense mechanism against infections and diseases. One hundred grams of abiu fruit contains 122% of the daily recommended dietary allowance for Vitamin C.
Rich in Vitamin B3
Abiu fruit is a good source of vitamin B3 (Niacin), which supports skin health, central nervous system, and digestive system. NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) the two coenzymes, are derivatives of Vitamin B3 and are needed for the metabolism of glucose and fat. About 100 grams of abiu fruit contains about 34% of the daily recommended dietary allowance for Niacin.
Treats Respiratory Disorders
Brazilians use abiu fruit as a home remedy for respiratory diseases. The mucilaginous nature of the pulp helps relieve a cough, cold, bronchitis, and other pulmonary disorders.
Other Benefits:
Abiu fruit is used to provide relief from fever and diarrhea. The fruit has other uses in the folk medicine. The abiu fruit is also used as a de-worming agent, laxative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anemic. The sticky latex that appears on the skin of the unripe abiu fruit is used as a vermifuge, cleanser, and also applied on abscesses.
Recipe
Abiu fruit can be eaten fresh, but, it can also be used in simple desserts such as pannacotta and cheesecake. The pulp of the abiu fruit can be added to milkshakes and sorbet as well.
Abiu Pudding
Pudding Ingredients:
- Abiu pulp 6
- Dates 1 cup
- Dried Figs 1 cup
- Water 2 cup
- Vanilla extract 2 teaspoon
- Baking powder 2 teaspoon
- All purpose flour 3 cups
- Sugar 1 cup
- Butter 100 grams
- Eggs 2
Toffee Sauce Ingredients:
- Brown sugar 1 cup
- Corn syrup 2 tablespoons
- Unsalted butter 50 grams
- Heavy cream 2/3 cup
Method:
Toffee sauce:
- In a pan add brown sugar, corn syrup and unsalted butter on a medium flame.
- Bring it to a boil and allow the butter to melt and the sugar to dissolve.
- Add the cream and cook for two to three minutes until the sauce is thick and sticky.
Pudding:
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla extract, salt and baking powder.
- Boil dates and figs with 2 cups of water until soft.
- Add boiled dates, figs, abiu, and water to butter mixture alternating with flour.
- Cook the batter in a cake pan at 400 degrees for 16¨C20 minutes.
- Allow it to cool, then cut into pieces and serve with toffee sauce.
