What does feijoa contain? Feijoa is a little green vitamin bomb. Feijoa: recipes

Not all of us have feijoa as a frequent guest on our table. And all because little is known about this berry and for many it is an overseas curiosity. But it turns out that these wonderful fruits have been grown in Russia for a long time. Therefore, you should not deny yourself the pleasure of getting acquainted with unusual taste. Moreover, the fruits are simply overflowing with vitamins and microelements that will help put the immune system in order. Let's talk about the beneficial properties and contraindications for consuming this green guest from America in more detail.

What is feijoa

In our country, feijoa is still an exotic berry. Many buyers don’t even look to the side where small, inconspicuous fruits are laid out on the counter. Green colour. But if you knew what benefits are hidden in this little guest from another country, you would never pass by.

Discreet appearance feijoa does not attract attention at all

Where does it grow

Let's start getting acquainted with the exotic plant from afar. In nature, feijoa is found mainly in mountainous areas. South America- These are the regions of Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and northern Argentina.

first European country, where the seedlings were delivered in 1890 - France;
in 1900, unusual representatives of the flora were planted in Yalta and on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus;
at the beginning of the 20th century, the plant was brought and successfully bred in Mediterranean countries, which are famous for their warm, mild climate.

An evergreen and beautifully flowering bush is often used in landscape design

A subtropical plant in the tropics feels very bad. High temperatures significantly reduce overall yield.

What does it look like

Feijoa belongs to the genus Akka and the Myrtaceae family. It is a spreading evergreen shrub, although woody forms are also found in nature. Its height does not exceed 4 meters. The trunk is covered with rough green-brown bark.

Sometimes feijoa can be found in the form of a tree, but its height will never exceed 4 meters

Since feijoa lives in rocky mountainous areas, its roots are located superficially. Feature moisture-loving plants - densely branched, but compact root system, which helps the tree receive moisture directly from the surface of the soil, and not from the depths.

Feijoa leaves have an oval or elliptical shape. The edges are smooth, the surface is slightly pubescent, leathery, and has feathery or reticulate venation. The leaf is dark green above, light green-gray below. The plant, densely covered with foliage, looks beautiful throughout the year.

Leathery leaves look elegant all year round

The tree looks especially charming during flowering. From May to June, and in Southern Hemisphere from November to December feijoa is covered with unusually beautiful flowers. White-pink petals surround a bunch of red stamens (there can be from 50 to 80 of them). Bisexual flowers can be arranged singly, in pairs, or form a corymbose inflorescence. The flowering process is long; you can admire the lushly blooming and bright bush for almost a month.

Feijoa flowering is an unusually beautiful sight

Despite the fact that the plant is densely strewn with flowers, the percentage of useful ovary is only 17%. The rest just crumbles away.

Feijoa fruits look inconspicuous. These are small, from 2 to 5, less often up to 7 cm, berries of an elongated oval or wide-round shape. Less common are cube-shaped fruits, similar to a child’s top. The apex is crowned with the remains of sepals. The berry is covered with a peel with a slight waxy coating. The skin color can be bright green, like young grass, or dark green. The ripe fruit weighs from 15 to 60 g, but sometimes large specimens are found - 105–120 g.

An interesting fact is that such a seemingly inconspicuous-looking fruit has a pulp of extraordinary taste. The juicy part of the fruit is reminiscent of strawberries, pineapple and kiwi in its aroma and sweet-sour taste.

Ripe pulp should be almost transparent, jelly-like and light cream in color. If it is brown, the fruit is clearly overstayed and unsuitable for consumption. White color the fleshy part indicates that the feijoa has not yet matured and there is nothing useful in it.

The ripe fruit has transparent pulp with a creamy tint.

Beneficial features

Uninteresting in appearance, the fruits not only have a bright taste, they are also incredibly healthy. Berries easily compete with seafood for iodine content, which is why doctors often recommend this product for the prevention of iodine deficiency. Natural vitamin complex, which is contained in fruits, normalizes metabolism in the body. Easily soluble fiber reduces appetite and improves digestive processes.

Feijoa is the only berry that can compete with seafood in iodine content

If you decide to buy feijoa to increase the iodine content in your body, be sure to ask in which region the fruits were grown. The fact is that berries grown by the sea contain maximum rate useful element, and in plants cultivated in areas more than 50 km away from the sea, the iodine content in fruits begins to decrease.

Content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates - table

Feijoa is low in calories; 100 g of berries contain only 49 kcal.

Composition of nutrients - table

In addition, the berries contain pectin, tannins, essential oils and enzymes.

Feijoa is a real vitamin bomb

What benefits does it bring to women?

For women who want to maintain a normal figure, feijoa will become a valuable food product, as it contains few calories and fat. By eating just one berry a day, you can increase the effectiveness of any diet by speeding up your metabolism, which helps you lose weight.

The berry helps stabilize and normalize the condition of the following body systems:

nervous;
endocrine;
urogenital;
gastrointestinal.

Thanks to the consumption of this berry, water-alkaline metabolism returns to normal and the immune system is strengthened. Fruits are an excellent prevention of osteoporosis, which affects older women.

Regular consumption of feijoa helps:

slow down the aging process;
improve memory;
restore fat metabolism;
lower cholesterol;
relieve nervous tension;
normalize thyroid function;
improve skin condition.

During pregnancy, feijoa is recommended by many doctors, as it helps equalize blood pressure and eliminates hormonal imbalance and regulates the production of hormones. But you need to eat it carefully. First you should make sure that you have expectant mother no allergies to the product.

Due to iodine deficiency in the body of the expectant mother, the fetus may suffer

At breastfeeding Mothers can include berries in their diet if the baby is already 3 months old. To find out whether your baby has a reaction to the product or not, first try eating a quarter of the fruit. The next day, if the child does not have a rash, you can try half the berry. If the baby does not show signs of allergies or stomach upset, eat feijoa, but in moderation.

What is useful for men

These fruits are also useful for men, and not at all due to the general strengthening of the immune system. A few exotic berries a day can prevent a common urological disease, especially in older men, prostatitis. Feijoa helps maintain reproductive function, therefore it is recommended by urologists as a preventive measure or as an addition to drug treatment for an existing problem.

Can it be given to children?

Acquaintance with exotic berries for a baby should begin after a year. Vitamins and microelements contained in feijoa can correct the child’s immune system and ensure normal development healthy body. To avoid harm, you should start with a very small amount of pulp. Select a small ripe fruit, wash it well and cut it in half. First, try giving your baby half a teaspoon of pulp. Pay careful attention to possible reaction the child’s body to a new product: it can weaken or strengthen, an allergic reaction in the form of a rash is possible.

If acquaintance with vitamin product passed successfully, introduce it into your baby’s diet. But remember overindulgence berries can be harmful. Too much iodine content will lead to its excess and health problems!

If you do not abuse feijoa, the fruits will only bring benefits

For what diseases is it indicated, what conditions does it help alleviate?

The use of feijoa as a prophylactic agent or an addition to drug treatment has a cumulative effect. To healing properties the product has been able to develop fully, it should be consumed for at least a month. During this period, the accumulated nutrients will begin to take effect, and you will only have to maintain the balance useful substances, periodically eating feijoa. So what are the indications for use of this vitamin fruit?

Feijoa is an indispensable product for thyroid diseases, as it contains a lot of iodine. For hypothyroidism (decreased gland function), toxic goiter (nodules in the thyroid gland) and euthyroidism (dysfunction of the gland), you need to eat 2-3 berries a day. This amount is sufficient to normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland. In addition, metabolism will return to normal and mental activity will be activated. But if you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (increased activity of the thyroid gland), then you should stop taking feijoa.
Thanks to its rich vitamin composition, especially vitamin C, it improves immunity, therefore it perfectly relieves general state for colds, pneumonia.
Due to its mild diuretic and disinfectant effect, feijoa berries are recommended for existing inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract (urolithiasis disease, renal failure, cystitis, pyelonephritis).
Product shown at high cholesterol. Pectin and amino acids help cleanse blood vessels, allowing them to regain flexibility and elasticity. This will help keep blood pressure under control, which means hypotension and high blood pressure feijoa will be useful. The same as with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
Feijoa contains a large number of antioxidants that help cleanse the blood and prevent the spread of cancer cells. Eating fruits reduces the risk of oncology (cancer).
A natural combination of essential oils, antiseptics, tannins and other useful elements have a positive effect on work gastrointestinal tract. Taking berries alleviates the condition of gastritis, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis (but not during an exacerbation), mononucleosis. Helps with constipation, gallstones, colitis, cholecystitis.
Vanga advised women to include berries in their diet if they have fibroids, and men if they have adenoma.
For hepatitis and hepatitis C, feijoa is included in a special diet that alleviates the patient’s condition during the rehabilitation process. A decoction of ground peel (boil 1 part peel and 4 parts water for 5–7 minutes) cleanses the liver and normalizes its function.
Doctors advise including this healthy product in the diet for psoriasis. The berry acts as an antioxidant, purifying the blood and removing poisons and toxins. Iodine helps to improve the functioning of the thyroid gland and regulate metabolic processes in the body, which has a positive effect in the treatment of the disease.
Fruits are irreplaceable for anemia, as they have a beneficial effect on blood cells due to the iron they contain.
The antiseptic effect of feijoa helps alleviate the condition of gout, osteochondrosis and arthrosis.

It would be useful to remind you that you cannot self-medicate. If you have health problems, berries alone will not help. A visit to the doctor will clarify the situation. If everything is fine with you, eat the berries for your health, but when problems already exist, then feijoa will be an addition to the prescribed treatment and will help alleviate the condition during the treatment and rehabilitation process.

Feijoa as a source of iodine - video

How to eat: with or without peel

Remember what you used to do with the peels of fruits or vegetables? That's right, they clean it off and throw it away. Many people are even accustomed to cutting the skin off apples. But few people thought that this protective layer sometimes contains more useful substances than the fruit itself. The peel of feijoa is incredibly healthy, so it is advisable to eat the fruit along with the peel. It contains many catechins and leukoanthocyanins, which act as antioxidants. But since these beneficial substances give the top layer of the berry tart taste(especially it manifests itself in unripe fruits), few of us dare to consume it as food, especially since it is also somewhat harsh.

Even if you don't like the peel, you shouldn't throw it away, as it contains antioxidants.

So that the beneficial substances do not go to waste, but are beneficial, do not throw away the feijoa skin. Dry it and then prepare decoctions or teas from it. For future use, harvest peels that have no signs of damage or rot.

To feel the unique taste of the overseas fruit, you need to eat it without the skin. From washed and cut feijoa in half, the pulp is extracted using a teaspoon or dessert spoon.

To experience all the flavors of feijoa, it is recommended to eat only the middle of the fruit.

How to select and store

The time for feijoa to ripen in Russia is November. The fruits reach the retail chain in November-December. This is the most favorable time for buying valuable berries.

if you see a green stalk, it means that the fruits were collected while still unripe, they are of little use;
a slightly wrinkled peel with a bluish coating and an even green color are signs of a high-quality fruit. Brown spots on the skin indicate signs of spoilage, and a light green color indicates an unripe fruit;
try to choose larger fruits, they are considered the healthiest;
You can press on the fruit - if it is hard, it means it is not yet ripe and can be left for several days at room temperature. Moderately soft - ripe, ready to eat;

When purchasing, do not hesitate to ask the seller to cut the fruit, this is the only way to assess its degree of ripening.

High-quality fruits can be stored for no more than 3 weeks in a special fruit compartment in the refrigerator. At room temperature, feijoas can last for several days, provided that they are not yet ripe. More long-term storage possible thanks to recycling. Another way to extend the shelf life of a product is to freeze it. Moreover, you can freeze both whole fruits and purees from them.

If you have defrosted feijoa, then it should no longer be subject to reverse freezing, so defrost exactly as much as necessary.

Beneficial properties of feijoa - video

What can you cook from feijoa?

If you want to diversify your diet and fill it with vitamins, then feijoa will help in solving this problem. After all, the fruits are eaten not only raw, but also canned. So what can you cook from berries and what dishes should you include them in:

vitamin salads;
compotes;
jam;
fresh fruits, ground with sugar or honey;
filling for desserts.

Excellent flavor combinations are obtained by mixing feijoa with apples, citrus fruits, carrots and beets. Salad dressing is best made from yogurt or sour cream.

Feijoa is incredibly good in salads

Popular recipes for preserving vitamins

Since the season for eating feijoa is short, it is worth preparing several jars with useful and delicious treats, which will appeal not only to adults, but also to children.

Feijoa with honey and walnuts (raw jam)

The necessary ingredients can be purchased at a supermarket or market. You will need:

750 g feijoa;
half a lemon;
450 g honey;
150 g nuts;
50 g dried apricots.

It is very easy to prepare this delicious mixture.

Roast the nuts in a dry frying pan, cool and peel off the husks. Then chop using a rolling pin.
Pour boiled water over the dried apricots for 5 minutes, then place in a sieve. After the water has drained, finely chop the dried fruit.
Wash feijoa and lemon thoroughly and dry. Trim the sepals of the feijoa. Without peeling, grind them using a blender.
Combine with nuts, dried apricots and honey. Mix thoroughly and place in airtight containers.
Store in the refrigerator.

The basis of the recipe is feijoa, nuts and honey

The recipe may have cooking options. Dried apricots can be omitted, but instead walnuts try forest ones.

Raw jam with honey and lemon

Combination healthy products It will come in handy during the period of colds, when only a strong immune system can cope with diseases. For this vitamin bomb you will need:

500 g feijoa;
1 lemon;
100 g honey.

Preparing a healthy and tasty product will not take much time.

Wash feijoa and lemon thoroughly.
Peel the lemon and remove the sepals from the feijoa.
Pass feijoas cut in half through a meat grinder or grind in a blender.
Do the same with lemon.
Combine all ingredients together and mix thoroughly.
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Vitamin charge in every spoon - feijoa with honey and lemon

If someone does not like the taste of lemon, it can be replaced with orange. The benefits will remain the same, but taste qualities will change. And lovers of spicy taste should try the combination of feijoa with ginger.

Compote

An unusually tasty drink that invigorates and lifts your spirits, is prepared from the following ingredients:

500 g feijoa;
200 g sugar;
2 liters of water;
citric acid on the tip of a knife.

This is the simplest recipe that even novice housewives can do.

Pour water into a saucepan and place on fire.
Place the berries, the sepals of which have been removed, thoroughly washed under running water into sterilized jars.
As soon as the water boils, add sugar and citric acid to it.
After the water has boiled, reduce the heat and wait until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Pour boiling syrup over the berries, cover with lids and leave for a day to allow the fruits to infuse.
The next day, pour the infused liquid into a saucepan and turn on the heat.
Boil for half an hour, then pour the liquid into the jars again and seal with sterilized lids.
Place the jars upside down and cover with a blanket.
After the contents of the jars have cooled, place the compote in a cool, dark place.

A wonderful invigorating drink made from healing berries

Feijoa in compote can go perfectly with apples and quince. To enrich the taste and aroma, you can add citrus peel, rose petals or mint.

Feijoa and beet salad with nuts

Vitamin salads are a valuable source of nutrients, which is why they are so popular among adherents healthy image life. We advise you to include such salads in your daily menu to keep your figure normal and stay healthy and vigorous. And for those who live far from the sea - maintain the level of iodine in the body at the right level. In addition, preparing such a delicacy is a real creative process, which before eating will allow you to enjoy bright colors and improve your mood.

For the salad you will need only high-quality products. Feijoa must be ripe, try to choose small beets (they will cook faster and taste sweeter). You can use any nuts: walnuts, almonds, cashews, pine. The beets can be boiled in advance, and the salad itself can be prepared immediately before eating.

Peel the beets and grate on a coarse grater or cut into strips (personally, I really like hand-cutting).
Remove the peel from the well-washed feijoa fruits, cut them, and then lightly sprinkle them with lemon juice.
Chop the nuts, pre-roasted in a dry frying pan (except for pine nuts).
Combine all salad ingredients together, lightly salt and season vegetable oil(preferably olive).

An excellent combination of taste and vitamins - feijoa and beetroot salad

A salad in which feijoa will be the main component can be prepared from various vegetables and fruits. Above are the most popular combinations. By changing the ingredients and dressings, you can enjoy unusual, refreshing and healthy salads every day. Use raisins, feta cheese, and sesame as flavor accents.

Feijoa, ground with sugar (honey)

The simplest, but no less effective method save the vitamin set for several months. All you need is feijoa and sugar (or honey). We select the healthiest and ripest fruits. Wash thoroughly, remove sepals and dry. Grind in a meat grinder and add granulated sugar (honey). The ratio of ingredients is 1:1. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, transfer to dry, sterilized containers and place in a cool place.

An excellent recipe to support immunity - feijoa with sugar

This delicious medicine take 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment will be 10 days, and then you need to take a break for the same amount of time.

Jam "Caramel"

Another unusual recipe gives healthy berry to all fans delicious jam. First, we go to the store, select the ripest fruits and other ingredients:

500 g feijoa;
1 cup of sugar;
500 ml water;
spoon of cognac.

This incredibly tasty and beautiful jam is easy to prepare:

Wash the fruits and peel the skins. To prevent the peeled berry from darkening, place it in water.
Pour half the amount of sugar into a frying pan and put on fire.
Stir the sugar with a wooden spatula until it caramelizes.
When the caramel acquires a pleasant reddish tint, carefully pour in the water and add the peel.
Cook over low heat with vigorous stirring for at least 7 minutes.
Strain the finished syrup through a sieve into a saucepan for making jam. Add chopped berries and remaining sugar.
After boiling, stirring continuously, simmer over low heat for about 40 minutes.
Add cognac, stir and pack into jars.

A wonderful combination of taste and color - feijoa jam “Caramel”

This is far from full list useful preparations from a wonderful berry. If you're a lover of Mexican food, be sure to include feijoa in your list of salsa ingredients - it won't disappoint. Sweet lovers can prepare the most delicate dessert from the fruit - jelly or mousse.

Traditional medicine recipes

Feijoa is used not only in pharmacology, where the fruits are included in many dietary supplements, and essential oils are used as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. ethnoscience actively uses magic fruits and other parts of the plant to treat many serious diseases:

for hepatitis and urological diseases Tea made from feijoa flowers and leaves is beneficial. 1 tbsp. l. Add 200 ml of boiling water to the dried mixture. Leave for half an hour and drink with honey;
for atherosclerosis, jam is an excellent addition to medications. It is prepared from 600 g of fruit, 1 kg of sugar and 1 orange;
in Parkinson's disease, taking fresh fruits provides a significant and lasting improvement in the patient's condition;
The thyroid gland is treated with feijoa grated with sugar. In the morning, half an hour before meals, you need to take 2 tbsp. l. healthy mixture;
to heal wounds, compresses with a decoction of the bark and leaves of the plant are used;
A decoction of the leaves helps with bleeding gums.

Traditional medicine actively uses feijoa to treat various diseases.

How it is used in cosmetology

Feijoa consumed internally works wonders on the female body, slowing down the aging process and helping to maintain the figure in the desired proportions. The product will bring no less benefit if it is used as the basis of face masks. Externally acting vitamins and microelements will improve complexion, rejuvenate, moisturize and protect from external influences.

The basis for any mask is feijoa puree, and various components are added to it, depending on what effect you want to achieve:

composition for rejuvenation: to 2 tbsp. l. puree add 1 tsp. honey and 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil;
For moisturizing, additional ingredients include cottage cheese and cream. We take everything in equal proportions;
For oily skin mix 1 tbsp. l puree, 1 chicken protein and 1 tsp. honey;
You can also wipe your face, neck, chest and hands with a piece of feijoa pulp. The effect will be excellent.

In cosmetology, feijoa shows an incredible anti-aging effect

Contraindications for eating feijoa

This one is incredible healthy fruit However, it also has contraindications. It is recommended to completely refuse or limit consumption if:

diabetes;
allergies;
hyperthyroidism;
obesity.

Everything ingenious is simple. You are once again convinced of this by looking at the inconspicuous-looking feijoa fruit. But what a valuable treasure is hidden inside. But remember, everything is good in moderation. The desire to quickly saturate the body with vitamins will not lead to anything good; on the contrary, it can do harm.

Feijoa was first discovered in Brazil, and since then the exotic fruit has gained popularity all over the world. Currently, the berry can be found throughout the vastness of our homeland; the product mainly grows in the southern regions. Feijoa has a rich chemical composition, which contains essential microelements For human body.

Choosing the right feijoa

To choose worthy fruits, you need to pay attention to the integrity of the shell. The peel should not have any damage or dents. A ripe berry is smooth, dense and elastic to the touch.
If you cut an exotic fruit, the flesh should be transparent and fleshy. In this case, the taste of feijoa will be fully revealed.
When choosing a product at the market, ask the seller to cut the berry, this way you can ensure its integrity and ripeness.
If the flesh is white, the fruit can be considered unripe. Don’t despair, place the fruits at home in a warm room. In a few days, the feijoa will gain proper maturity and can be consumed.
Exotic fruits are picked unripe; the berries ripen during transportation. Feijoa also tends to spoil quickly. If, when cutting the fruit, you see pulp dark color, please refrain from purchasing.

Benefits and composition of feijoa

When studying feijoa, it turned out that the fruit contains a high level of iodine. The enzyme is easily absorbed by the body because it is in a water-soluble form. It has been scientifically proven that berries are an order of magnitude superior to red fish and seafood in terms of iodine content.
If you eat just a few fruits a day, you will replenish daily norm iodine in the body. It is highly recommended to consume exotic berries for people who have problems with the thyroid gland. It is also worth including feijoa in the diet of children and the elderly.
It is highly recommended to consume the fruits if you live in big cities. Feijoa contains ascorbic acid, which actively prevents colds. Thiamine is involved in the normalization of metabolic processes, maintaining the functioning of the heart muscle and brain activity.
The presence of riboflavin in berries is responsible for stabilizing the level of hormones in the body. In addition, the enzyme is involved in the synthesis of red blood cells, the breakdown of fats and the renewal of fibers and tissues. A nicotinic acid normalizes the functioning of the pancreas and the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The enzyme reduces blood pressure and prevents the development of cancer cells.
Thanks to the content of pantothenic acid in feijoa, the functioning of metabolic processes in the body is restored. The enzyme actively suppresses a number of ailments and is able to cope with pancreatitis, allergies, liver diseases, tuberculosis and bronchitis.
Pyridoxine helps build enzymes that are necessary for the functioning of all muscles of the human body. The chemical effectively affects muscles during cramps, spasms and numbness of the limbs. At the same time, pyridoxine slows down tissue aging at the cellular level.
Feijoa is rich in niacin, an enzyme that is an integral part of the central nervous system. The substance actively participates in protein metabolism and has a positive effect on work of cardio-vascular system. Thanks to the easily digestible fats and proteins that feijoa is rich in, it can be classified as a dietary product.
The peel of exotic berries contains leukoanthocin and kakhetin; chemical enzymes are recognized as powerful antioxidants. Substances resist harmful effects environment. In addition, kakhetin and leukoanthocin prevent the formation of cancer cells and pathologies.

Pediatricians strongly recommend introducing feijoa into your baby’s daily diet with extreme caution. Otherwise, you risk causing your child intolerance even after just 1 berry.
If complementary feeding goes without harmful consequences, feijoa will bring only invaluable benefits to the child. Due to the high iodine content in the product, the baby will not feel tired. The berries will also have positive effect for the thyroid gland to work.
Feijoa has proven itself well as effective product in strengthening the immune system. Thus, with regular use, the body's resistance increases. The child is not in danger various diseases viral infections and fungi. It is highly recommended to consume the fruits during the off-season.
You should also be careful if your child is at risk of developing excess weight or diabetes. You can eat berries, but you should limit their daily amount and constantly monitor the body’s reaction.

Benefits of feijoa for pregnant women

Girls who are pregnant need to treat nutrition with special responsibility. The main criteria remain that products must be balanced, healthy and varied. During pregnancy, the formation of the fetus and its organs occurs.
Try not to give in to various temptations in terms of unhealthy dishes, it is during pregnancy that you want something useless. Experts recommend that pregnant girls eat various vegetables and fruits that grow in your climate. During the cold season, things are more complicated.
It has been scientifically proven that feijoa, despite its exotic nature, is excellent for the fairer sex during pregnancy. In addition to the above microelements special benefit carries ascorbic acid and niacin. Enzymes are easily absorbed by the body.
Tropical berries also contain high levels of iodine and iron. Minerals are easily absorbed by the blood and form the fetus without signs of damage. It is also worth considering the fact that if your doctor has prescribed iodine-containing vitamins to you, you should limit your consumption of feijoa. An excess of a microelement is just as harmful as its deficiency.

It has been scientifically proven that feijoa has a disinfectant and antiseptic effect. With the help of various infusions, decoctions of fruits and leaves, you can heal skin abrasions. The products are excellent for bleeding gums and toothache.
To make a nourishing face mask, just combine the grated fruit with the yolk of an egg. As a result, the skin will receive a charge of useful microelements, microcracks and creases will be smoothed out. The dermis will also gain an even tone, smoothness and velvety feel.

Contraindications and possible harm of feijoa

The product is so unique that it has virtually no contraindications, except for individual intolerance.
Individuals who may have allergies or hypersensitivity to iodine should be wary of the fruit. As practice shows, such phenomena occur in rare cases.
Therefore, if you are allergic, carefully monitor your health. If there are any deviations, immediately stop eating exotic berries.

Rules for eating feijoa

So that feijoa does not leave you indifferent and brings maximum benefit for the body, you need to eat only ripe fruits. There can only be a snag if the berries have not had time to ripen. As described earlier, feijoas are harvested unripe.
If you purchased the fruits in this form, do not despair, the product can be kept in a warm room for several days, after which you can enjoy the pulp of its unique taste. During the process of ripening, feijoa will acquire a filling similar to jelly, and the peel will noticeably become thinner.
The method of eating feijoa is very similar to kiwi. You can remove the peel from the berries and chop them into pieces. Also cut from the fruit top part and eat with a dessert spoon, removing the pulp from the cavity. Do not forget that if feijoa is fully ripe, it can be consumed whole. As you know, it is in the peel that almost all the benefits are concentrated.

If you suffer from chronic fatigue, obesity, vitamin deficiency or loss of strength, experts strongly recommend including about 6 feijoa berries in your daily diet. After a few days you will feel better. In addition, the fruits are rich in essential oils, which are involved in strengthening the human protective shell.

Video: benefits and harms of feijoa

Feijoa is a beautiful tree from South America that has bright green fruits weighing approximately 20 to 100 grams. The feijoa plant was first found in Brazil back in the 19th century. The first appearance of the plant was noted in 1890 in France, and from there it spread throughout the southern Mediterranean countries, and also became widespread in the Caucasus and Crimea.

The origin of the plant is explained by a wonderful legend telling about young boy, in love with the sea princess. He confessed his love to her and agreed to live with her in her sea kingdom. But he could not find a place for himself, because he missed him very much. native land and home. Then he decided to return back, and the sea king became angry and sent a curse on him.

He turned it into a beautiful tree, which would later be called feijoa. The fruits of this tree had a light aroma of the sea breeze, as a reminder of the betrayal of love by the sea princess.

Description

The fruit is completely suitable for consumption. Its peel has a slightly tart taste and is very dense, but the flesh, on the contrary, is sour-sweet, juicy and soft. Many people prefer only the pulp, not realizing how many useful elements are contained in the peel.

The fruits themselves are bright green and plum-shaped. The surface of the peel has small tubercles, somewhat reminiscent of a lemon peel. The fruits begin to ripen in October, and this process continues until the beginning of winter. Therefore, this plant has gained great popularity in southern countries with mild climatic conditions. To ensure that the taste of the fruit becomes rich, the fruits are allowed to rest in a cool place for several days.

Feijoa, like , is also popular among plant lovers due to its beautiful flowers. Many people grow it at home, observing its beautiful flowering. Its flowers are very unusual: against the background of snow-white petals with a pinkish tint, dark red stamens stand out on the inside.

It begins to bloom in May, and there is always a large number of flowers. Over time, the plant takes on the shape of a small, beautiful and neat tree. The leaves of the plant are slightly hard, smooth on top, and slightly fluffy below.

Feijoa care

The plant is classified as a tropical species. That's why temperature regime for it should be suitable for the conditions of the tropical zone. In summer, the flower can be taken out to the balcony, because it has been established that a temperature of 30°C does not harm it at all. In winter, he needs rest, which means the temperature should be moderate, the temperature should not exceed 14°C.

The plant does not like direct sunlight, especially at midday. After all, they can easily burn its dense, but very delicate leaves, and rather fragile flowers. Therefore, at this time it is better to shade it. If the plant is in a room with very poor lighting, it would be better to additionally illuminate it using lamps.

On hot and very dry days, in addition to watering, it is necessary to frequently spray its leaves. This will give rise to abundant flowering and very good growth. This especially applies to plants that grow indoors. They require frequent spraying even in winter, especially when the air is dry.

Feeding

It has been noticed that this plant really loves constant feeding. However, you should not add all the fertilizers at once. It is worth feeding the plants in several stages. For example, in the first weeks you can only apply nitrogen fertilizers, for which bird droppings are perfect. IN next weeks it is necessary to move on to other fertilizers, for example, potash.

You can take ordinary ash. And after another week you can move on to phosphate fertilizers. It is worth remembering that any fertilizing should not be applied as the main watering, but only after it.

Transfer

Feijoa belongs to the representatives of plants with very rapid growth. Therefore, for the first three years of a flower’s life, it must be replanted annually. Afterwards, transplantation can be carried out only once every two years. Before replanting the plant, you should prepare the soil. You need to take sand, peat, turf and leaf soil, as well as humus in equal quantities.

Do not completely remove old soil from the roots of the plant. Complete removal land is needed only for a sick plant. To transplant a plant, it is better to call an assistant rather than carry out this process alone. After all, the leaves and branches are quite tender and brittle. You can easily break them and destroy the entire flower.

When propagating plants, the two most common methods are used: propagation using root shoots and cuttings.

Cuttings require more time. In this case, you should find the uterine feijoa. After finding such a plant, you should select the largest branch from the crown and remove all leaves from it except the top ones. Before planting, for better root formation, the branch should be left for 16 hours in a heteroauxin solution. After this, you can safely proceed to planting.

It is worth planting so that only 1/3 of the branch remains on the surface. The soil should combine sand and humus in equal quantities. In addition, the soil should be disinfected.

This method should be replanted in the fall. But at this time the plant will feel a lack of heat and light. Therefore, you should take care of artificial lighting. Also, do not forget about constant spraying and maintaining air humidity. You can spray the plant with warm water and then cover the top with a transparent glass jar. The formation of roots and strengthening of the plant occurs within one month.

Reproduction using root shoots is quite simple. Therefore, most people choose this method. Since the plant produces rich, dense growth, there are no problems with it. For propagation, when transplanting an adult plant, you should cut off the required number of shoots.

In addition to these methods, like any other plant, it reproduces in nature with the help of its seeds. You should not take plant seeds from the store, as they may offer low-quality material. If you have an adult plant, you can choose the necessary seeds yourself. This will be more reliable, and the guarantee of getting a beautiful tree increases many times over.

Before planting seeds, you should choose a fruit that is not overripe. The seeds should be washed well and dried for 6 days and no more. After this, they are laid out on the surface of the prepared soil and more earth is sprinkled on top in a thin layer, no more than 5 mm. The soil should be a mixture of equal amounts of peat and leaf soil with the addition of a small amount of sand.

Since the seeds of the plant are quite small, they should be watered so that the top layer of soil is not disturbed. To do this, just put a paper towel or a regular napkin on the pot. This method Watering will help maintain the bulk layer of soil and prevent the seeds from deepening. If the seeds were planted in winter, then the first shoots should be expected only after a month.

In summer, sprouts appear within a couple of weeks. Moreover, with this method of propagation, fruits will appear on the branches only after 6 years. But propagation by cuttings or shoots shortens this process by half.

Plant pests

Feijoa may feel threatened by pests such as false scale insects and red spider mites.

The mite can cause enormous damage, especially to small young shoots. You can get rid of it using a keltan solution. To do this, you need to mix 2 grams of keltan with one liter clean water. And after 40 days you can see how the plant is cleansed and restored.

You should only be wary of hot sunny days. After all, when treating with keltan on such days, you can get a severe burn to the plant.

They get rid of false scale insects with the help of karbofos, diluted in water in a proportion of 6 grams per 1 liter. Spray the entire plant generously with this solution. Treatment is carried out at least three times with a break of a week.

Collection and storage of fruits

Fruits should be collected before they ripen. This allows them to be transported over long distances without severe damage. During transportation they have time to ripen. When purchasing in a store, you should take into account the softness of the fruit and examine its visible damage.

If only hard fruits are found, then there is no need to be afraid. You can always put them in a well-ventilated, warm room with a temperature of 20°C or higher for a couple of days for it to fully ripen.

It is worth paying attention to the inner pulp of the fruit. White color indicates that the fruit is unripe, and brown indicates that the fruit has already spoiled.

It stores well in the refrigerator. But its shelf life is short, no more than 2 weeks. During long-term storage, fruits quickly lose moisture. This only makes it sweeter. To preserve it for the winter, jam is made from it. To do this, you need to grind it and add sugar. In this form, feijoa retains all its beneficial elements for a long time.

Beneficial properties of feijoa

One fruit contains many useful elements. These include vitamins B, PP and C, various macro- and microelements such as phosphorus, iodine, iron, calcium and others, as well as malic and folic acid.

In addition, the fruits contain essential oils. The pulp of the fruit is often used as a dietary food due to the presence of easily digestible fats and proteins in it. They allow you to lose weight and supply the body with useful and necessary components.

The plant contains great amount iodine in soluble form. Thanks to this, it is very easily digestible. Doctors recommend using it when various diseases thyroid gland, as well as with very active mental stress. Moreover, it is often used for gastrointestinal diseases and in the prevention of vitamin deficiency, gout, gastritis, pyelonephritis and many other diseases.

The peel of the fruit, which is so often discarded, contains leukoanthocin and cahetin. They are excellent substances in the prevention of cancer. And vitamins B and C, as well as essential oils, are used in the prevention of influenza, ARVI, and also to maintain immunity.

Use in cooking

As mentioned earlier, it is great for making jam. Various salads are also made from it. The main thing is to choose the right products for it. It goes well with citrus fruits, apples, as well as vegetables such as carrots or beets. This salad is best seasoned with sour cream or yogurt.

Feijoa jam without cooking for the winter

Use in cosmetology

Very often, women use the pulp of the plant in masks. They provide a rejuvenating effect, and also relieve inflammation and nourish the skin. The most common cosmetic mask made from fruits includes:

1/3 feijoa pulp
2 tbsp. spoons of fresh cottage cheese,
1 yolk,
1 tbsp. spoon of olive oil.

These components should be mixed well and applied to the décolleté, neck and face. Keep the mask on for no longer than 20 minutes. The mask is washed off simply with warm water.

Contraindications

Due to the presence of large amounts of sugar in the fruit, they are contraindicated for anyone who suffers from diabetes. In addition, it is worth considering the tendency to obesity and allergic reactions. Due to great content iodine, it is not recommended for use by people with thyrotoxicosis.

Doctors advise testing your body for allergic reactions to its fruits before the first use. It should also be given to young children with caution.

In addition, feijoa has its limitations in use. Eating too much fruit at one time can lead to fever, rapid heartbeat, nervous anxiety, as well as decreased performance and fatigue.

How to eat feijoa

How to grow at home

Read all about it here.

Russians are already accustomed to the fact that almost any fruit and berries are constantly available. Of course the nutritional value Strawberries or raspberries brought to us at the height of frost are far from the value of domestic seasonal goods. However, even among exotic fruits there are those that deserve the closest attention. One of these products is feijoa.

Source: depositphotos.com

These green “berries” appear on our shelves in late autumn. They are not always imported: in Russia, feijoas are grown in the Krasnodar Territory and subtropical regions of the Caucasus. The pulp of the fruit tastes like strawberries, kiwi and pineapple at the same time. The thick green skin is not so appetizing, but very aromatic and healthy.

Today we will talk about the health benefits of feijoa.

Helps boost immunity

Feijoa peel contains a large amount of essential oils and vitamin C. This complex successfully activates the body's defenses. Eating fruits helps cope with the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections and also reduces the likelihood of infection.

Contains a lot of iodine

Feijoa is the only fruit that contains more iodine than seafood. Moreover, the iodine compounds in its composition are water-soluble and are perfectly absorbed by the body.

Regular consumption of feijoa is necessary for diseases caused by iodine deficiency in food. The product normalizes the functioning of the endocrine system and metabolism, promotes the activation of mental activity.

Is a source of antioxidants

The main source of antioxidants is feijoa skin. It is rich in catechin and leucoanthocyanin, which have powerful antifungal and antibacterial effects. There is evidence of the ability of these substances to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Helps with digestive disorders

Thanks to a unique combination of essential oils, tannins, antiseptics and other useful compounds feijoa has a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Fruits relieve unpleasant symptoms gastritis, help with chronic constipation. It is recommended to consume feijoa for pathologies of the stomach, intestines, liver and pancreas.

Improves the condition of the cardiovascular system

Feijoa contains no less catechins than green tea. These substances maintain the tone of the vascular wall and serve prophylactic with a high risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies.

Treats kidney diseases

Feijoa fruits have a disinfectant and mild diuretic effect. They are recommended for use for inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract (pyelonephritis, cystitis, etc.).

Has an antiseptic effect

Feijoa peel is a natural antiseptic. Its decoction, which suppresses the activity of pathogenic microflora, is used as a rinse for stomatitis and periodontal disease, for external processing wounds, and also as a disinfectant and astringent with diarrhea.

Feijoa has a number of contraindications. Thus, it is forbidden to give it to children under the age of one year: their digestive system does not yet produce the enzymes necessary for digestion. Pregnant women should eat feijoa with caution so as not to get excess iodine. At diabetes mellitus the inclusion of fruits in the diet must be agreed with your doctor, since feijoa pulp contains quite a lot of sugars.

Unripe fruits should not be used as food: this can lead to poisoning. When eating feijoa for the first time, you should be prepared for an allergic reaction, so you should start with one or two fruits.

Feijoa is eaten fresh and made into jam and jam. The peel is dried and added to tea leaves. This is a seasonal fruit, but you can extend its shelf life by cooking vitamin mixture from a kilogram of ripe feijoa (do not remove the peel!), ground with 600-800 g of sugar. The preparation is stored for a long time in the refrigerator. By taking one or two tablespoons of the mixture daily, you can strengthen your immune system, provide the body with iodine, and improve your condition. digestive tract and blood vessels, increase efficiency and mood, protect yourself from colds throughout the long winter.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Initially, feijoas were used in landscape design, and park areas were decorated with evergreen flowering shrubs. Today it is exotic plant with amazing tasting fruits.

Feijoa is gaining popularity not so much because of its taste, but because of its benefits. Selection amazing facts will allow you to take a fresh look at this tropical fruit.

According to the classification, they belong to the myrtle plant family. The height of the bushes reaches 3 meters. It looks especially beautiful during the flowering period. Feijoa blooms with bright crimson inflorescences with white and pink splashes.

The leaves are dense, dark green. The fruits look like unripe ones walnuts. There is juicy pulp inside the berries. It tastes like the sweetness of strawberries and the tartness of kiwi.

The amazing properties of the shrub allow it to be evergreen. The plant tolerates frosts down to -14°C. The harvest has the ability not to spoil for a long time. Transports well.

Feijoa grows in Russia - in Crimea, Krasnodar, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine

Due to insufficient information, the overseas fruit has not found wide use in our country. Those who are familiar with feijoa, eat fruits raw, prepare jams and preserves. You can buy feijoa in markets and large supermarkets.

Thanks to the work of breeders, the tropical plant has become widespread in Russia - in Crimea, Krasnodar, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.

Depending on growing conditions, there are small, medium, large fruits . They eat whole fruits or scrape out the pulp with a spoon.

Due to its composition, the tropical crop is used to treat a number of diseases. Especially appreciated medicinal properties fruits during the period of vitamin deficiency for a weakened body.

How to choose feijoa:

Benefits of fruit, beneficial and medicinal properties of fruits and leaves

The chemical composition of feijoa indicates its benefits. This fruit can rightfully be called not only a “miracle of the tropics,” but also a panacea for many problems.

Berries gained popularity among Europeans at a time when They found a high concentration of iodine.

Growing feijoa in pots does not guarantee a rich iodine content; it is only abundant in fruits growing on the coast. Benefit:

feijoa has a high content of nutrients, vitamins C, P and B;
the fruits contain essential oils with an anti-inflammatory effect;
feijoa extracts and oils are widely used in dermatology, as well as cosmetology;
contain iron, zinc, manganese, copper, organic compounds iodine;
in value, the fruits are equal to iodine-containing seafood;
essential oils promote rejuvenation;
juice and pulp help fight rosacea; after using masks, capillary networks on the face disappear;
at depressive disorders fruit seeds are used;
A tea that is beneficial to the body is prepared from the leaves.

Calorie content is only 49-50 kcal per 100 grams of product.

The tart taste of feijoa is present for a reason; 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 good for the thyroid gland.

With regular use, due to lower cholesterol levels, an improvement in blood composition is observed. Due to the content of phenolic compounds in the skin, they are taken to stimulate metabolic processes in the digestive organs.

The beneficial properties of feijoa for men are priceless. Urologists recommend using it for prostate problems..

Thanks to this exotic fruit, women will be able to maintain their figure and youth. By replacing feijoa confectionery, you can lose extra pounds.

Important: per 100 grams of feijoa there are 0.5 mg of iodine compounds that are quickly soluble in the body.

What are the benefits of feijoa berry:

Harm and contraindications for use

Ripe feijoas have a positive effect on the body, here unripe fruits negatively affect the digestive system. They can even cause poisoning.

If you purchased unripe fruits, it is better to ripen them at room temperature.

Tropical plant is contraindicated:

direct contraindication - with excess iodine in the body;
Use with caution if you have diabetes;
It is not recommended to mix with milk (may cause stomach upset);
due to poor digestibility, feijoa should not be given to children under one year of age;
Pregnant and nursing mothers should consume in minimal quantities.

A large amount of fruit eaten can be harmful - cause nervous excitability and anxiety.

Do not forget that overseas fruits can contribute to the occurrence of allergic reactions. Start getting acquainted with the fruits in small portions.

Important information: to avoid consequences, be careful when feeding feijoa to children.

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The richest natural source of nutrients is recommended for pregnant and lactating women with caution. In order not to cause side effects due to excess iodine, do not overdo it with their use.

Experts are divided on the exotic fruit. some recommend them during pregnancy, others associate them with risks. In everything you need to know when to stop.

Feijoa is especially useful in the 12th week of pregnancy, during this period it develops thyroid child.

It is difficult to predict how a pregnant body will behave if you try the berry for the first time. The same can be said about breastfeeding. If in doubt, it's better consult a doctor and monitor your body’s reaction.

Culinary and cosmetic recipes

The topic of the material below is devoted to recipes from the exotic fruit. Jams, mousses, and jellies are prepared from them. The popularity of these recipes is due to their rich pectin content.

Prepared for treatment healthy decoctions, ground with honey, nuts. Add as a flavoring additive to salads. Making face masks.

Fruits ground with sugar

Proportions: For 1 kg of feijoa take 1 kg of sugar. Take ripe fruits. Wash them well and dry them on a towel.

Finely chop with a knife, add sugar. Rub with a wooden spatula. Keep refrigerated. Apply as needed. Candied fruits - excellent remedy to protect the immune system.

Feijoa jam without cooking for the winter:

Diet salad

Proportions: For 5 fruits, take a handful of walnuts and 1 boiled beet. Cut feijoa and beets into strips. Lightly dry the nuts in the oven and crush. Season the salad with olive oil.

To enhance the taste, add spices, herbs or garlic. An easy-to-prepare salad will help you lose weight.

Vitamin cocktail

Proportions: 4 feijoas, kiwi, apple, cinnamon, 150 ml low-fat kefir or yogurt. Place exotic fruits, kiwi, and apple into a blender bowl. Pre-wash, peel, and cut everything.

Pour in fermented milk product, add a pinch of cinnamon. Grind with a blender until smooth. A fortified smoothie is an ideal start to the day instead of breakfast.

Feijoa with honey

Proportions: honey with feijoa in a 1:1 ratio. Grind the pulp of ripe fruits with honey and place in sterilized jars. Cover with lids or paper. Keep refrigerated.

Take 1 tbsp in the morning on an empty stomach. spoon. The composition allows you to quickly recover from illnesses. The remaining outer portion can be frozen or dried.

Compote with lemon balm

Proportions: for 1 glass of sugar 180 gr. feijoa, lemon balm sprigs. Wash the fruits and prick them with a toothpick. Pour water, add sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat in the oven. Boil for 3-5 minutes.

Remove from heat, strain, add lemon balm. Pour into glass jars. Store inside the refrigerator. A chilled drink tones and calms the nervous system.

Leaf tea

Proportions: 1 tsp. dry leaves to 250-300 ml of boiling water. Wither the leaves in partial shade. Perform fermentation on fresh air or in a dry, ventilated place until it becomes a tea leaf.

Brew like regular tea, you can add sugar or honey. The tea tastes very unusual, with a slightly tart aftertaste.

Pulp jam with lemon

Proportions: For 1 kg of ripe fruit you need 1 kg of sugar and half a lemon. Wash the feijoa and prick with a toothpick. Boil syrup from sugar and 200 ml of water. Pour the fruits over them.

Cook in 3 stages with the jam cooling completely for 5 minutes after boiling. At the final stage, add lemon slices.

Pack in clean, dry jars. Seal and refrigerate. Jam will help boost immunity during respiratory diseases.

You can make jam from feijoa - with lemon or nuts

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. Leave for half an hour. Rinse off. Vitamin composition moisturizes, softens and tightens the skin. Can be used for rosacea.

It is especially important to use natural source iodine in large and polluted cities.

The material on the benefits of feijoa 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!