Carambola, cannon or edible star — the yellow beautiful east fruit for the present rather exotic for the local. It is most often used in the decorative purposes. In more detail we will talk about it further in our article.
Exotic tree the carambola externally represents set of plants more habitual to a domestic look. So, leaves of this evergreen tree are very similar to acacia leaves unless their size much more — in length can reach up to 50 cm. Leaves of green color, but from a bottom side with whitish fibers. In principle, the tree rather big — if grows not in the house, can reach in height to 15 m, but, on average, 5-7 m high. Very branched and fluffy tree, branches which hung under weight of big leaves and heavy large fruits.
The carambola similar pink (sometimes red) inflorescences as the lilac blossoms blossoms. And here fruits are externally very original and because of unusual appearance are so popular with gardeners and culinary specialists.
Fruit of the extended form of yellow color, ridge and with a glossy surface, rather large — length usually 5-15 cm. In a section forms a five-pointed star because of what received such names as a tropical star or starfnut.
Initially grew only on Sri Lanka and also in India and Indonesia. However, today extended also to other countries where it is warm and damp: Southern and Southeast Asia, Brazil, some states of the USA (Florida, Hawaii), Israel, Ghana, Guiana and French Polynesia.
Exotic fruit already captivated counters of shops. Learn whether the use of a guava, feijoa, mango, a pomelo, a papaya, pitakhaya, durian, avocado, an unaba will bring benefit.
Can blossom the tree in any time of the year, however fructifies only in the summer. The fruit of a cannon ripens throughout all summer — small fruits appear in May, and ripen to the middle of August.
Though the plant and tropical, loves lighting disseminated, moisture moderate and temperature not above +25 °C. Such love for moderation does possible cultivation of a tree in house conditions in our latitudes.
Whether you know? Fruit is amusing also the botanical family relations. A sort of a plant Averroa, the Kislichnye family that means that the closest relative of a carambola growing at our latitudes — a kislitsa (Latin Oxalis). It is surprising that a long-term grass, appearance reminding a clover, and the fructifying evergreen tree are representatives of one family.
As for taste, carambola fruits sweet-sour, a little spicy, juicy and crispy, however aftertaste on the fan. It is difficult to compare taste to something. Some draw parallels with mix of apples, cucumbers, grapes, a gooseberry, the taste gives others plums and a citrus. A fruit skin edible, it is not necessary to remove it.
The main useful parties of a carambola it is possible to call its low caloric content and also availability of vitamins C and In in large numbers. Fruit caloric content fantastic — only 31 kcal on 100 g.
The few products have such low caloric content. Among them: celery, lemon, asparagus, pumpkin, cauliflower, cowberry, broccoli.
The nutrition value of a product following (on 100 g):
- proteins — 1.1 g;
- fats — 0.3 g;
- carbohydrates — 3.9 g;
- water — about 90%.
Also in fruit the high content of organic acids, in particular, oxalic.
In general, there are a few researches of medicinal properties of this fruit. However, it is possible to judge its influence on an organism, proceeding from its structure.
- Low caloric content does this product by the excellent addition to the menu for those who fight against excess weight. The cannon can make the dietary menu not so fast. Besides, a carambola — one of the most effective remedies for thirst satisfying.
- Vitamin C which in this fruit is a lot of is known also as ascorbic acid. Is responsible for increase in immunity, a conclusion of toxins and antioxidant action. Therefore the tinned candied fruits are so good as means against a hangover.
- Group B vitamins, namely B1, B2, B5, contain in smaller concentration, than ascorbic acid, however also influence our organism. Thiamine (B1) improves work of a brain, tones up and strengthens work of nervous system, removes nausea and a motion sickness. Riboflavinum (B2) participates in synthesis of erythrocytes (especially important at anemia), antibodies (immunity) and also influences development and growth of an organism (that is important for children and pregnant women). Also participates in regulation of work of a thyroid gland, well affects appearance: hair, nails and skin. Pantothenic acid (B5) forms antibodies (again support of immunity) and neurotransmitters (mental stability), and, above all — glucocorticoids which have antistress effect, perfectly influence a metabolism in an organism and also have anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effect.
- Oxalic acid which generally not the most useful substance, has the pluses — in particular can have antivermicular effect.
Summarizing analysis of the chemical composition of fruits, it is possible to output the list of effects which we gain at regular intake of fruit:
- increase in immunity;
- removal of symptoms of intoxication at poisonings or a hangover;
- improvement of work of a brain;
- decrease in nervous tension;
- development of erythrocytes that is prevention of an anemia;
- normalization of a hormonal background;
- removal of inflammatory processes and reduction of allergic reactions;
- fight against excess weight.
It is also interesting to learn how this fruit in nonconventional medicine in other countries is used. So, in India in traditional medicine use fresh fruits of a cannon for treatment of hemorrhoids and open wounds, the dried-up inflorescences and the dried-up fruits — for treatment of fever and heat, and the candied fruits — for removal of symptoms of poisoning and a hangover, at regular application also for decrease in level of bile.
Brazil also uses a carambola in the medical purposes, however not only fruits, but also all parts of a tree. To remove nausea and vomiting not only the preserved or candied fruit, but also fruit decoction and fruit leaves can. Seeds can be dried up and further to use in the crushed look as the demulcent removing also muscular tone at gripes, an asthmatic attack of suffocation. For reduction of a headache and migraine, put slightly rumpled leaves to temples. The same way is applied also at skin ulcers (eczema, chicken pox).
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It should be noted that it removes symptomatology, but is not the full-fledged medical procedure. Brazilians suggest to fight against worms by means of eating of fresh flowers. The tree roots candied or ground with sugar perfectly remove toxins therefore are fine cure for poisoning.
Depending on what taste you prefer, it is necessary to choose different fruits. Than color and the more accurately, more sharply than a side is lighter, the taste is sourer. Judges of sweet fruit stars should pay attention to saturated yellow and brownish-yellow fruits with roundish fleshy sides. The strong smell also testifies to a fruit maturity.
It is important! If on a cannon there are vertical brown strips, it does not mean at all that the fruit spoiled. The special look cannons with such marks usually sweet on taste with very light sourness, and began to smell at it jasmine at all.
Generally this fruit is used in the decorative purposes, but experts can also cook various dishes from this marvelous fruit. The carambola can make original even the most banal and bored dish. Green carambolas can be used as vegetable: to extinguish, cook, fry, put in vegetable stew, to prepare with meat, to add to salads. Also there are many recipes of interesting sauces which taste is done very juicy by sourness and spicy aroma of a fruit. On warm tropical islands it is possible to find various recipes of desserts from these fruit, jelly, a sherbet, alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails.
Whether you know? To receive the concentrated carambola smell, it is necessary to boil thoroughly fruits in sugar syrup several minutes until they soften. The turned-out syrup and the boiled thoroughly fruit can be used for decoration of dishes, and the pleasant smell with sourness will remain resistant and distinct.
By the way, in India eat not only fruits, but also leaves of this plant. The nearest flavoring association of leaves — spinach, use same. Flowers also go to an expense — dry, crushed and used as spice.
It is a lot of vitamin C and organic acids do a fruit undesirable at stomach ulcer, gastritis, an enterokolita. Moreover, the carambola is one of the biggest sources of oxalic acid among food. This substance is produced by plants for protection against eating by animals. In insignificant quantity it is not terrible, but excessive eating of these stars can lead to renal pathology and/or to violation of salt exchange. It is better to eat fruit gradually, but it is regular. By the way, B5 vitamin lowers sensitivity to insulin and increases glucose level in blood therefore it is better for diabetics (1 type) to treat fruit with care and especially not to be fond of it.
At diabetes it is better to pay attention to other products: barberry, cornel, black radish, magnolia vine Chinese.
In our regions to find really tasty fruit it is problematic because of remoteness of tropics. Traditionally, fruits break green, leaving to ripen on the way to boxes that, whatever one may do, affects a condition of fruit and their tastes. So if you will have a rest in the tropical countries, do not miss an opportunity to try the carambola which ripened in the natural way. The acquired or broken fruit can be stored in the fridge 2-3 weeks.
The carambola is considered a simple tree even for the inexperienced gardener. The unpretentious, large and fructifying tree — a dream of many fans of house plants.
Step 1: We buy the whole ripe fruit and we get from it stones. If the ripe fruit did not manage to be found, then it is possible to buy immature and to leave it to ripen on the solar place of the house. Step 2: Seeds resemble cannons pumpkin superficially, is only more dark. Pay attention that seeds without fruit quickly die therefore as soon as you pulled out them, at once wash out in warm water, presoak in a gauze and leave for the night.
Step 3: For the morning it is necessary to prepare pots for disembarkation. Surely we put a drainage on a bottom. Soil will approach universal, but it is obligatory with vermiculite addition. We plant seeds to the earth on depth about 1 cm from a surface and we put to the warm light place. It is desirable to create mini-hotbed conditions (to cover with a film with holes or any other way). All seeds ascend at different times, on average, it is 1-4 weeks. If sprouts are planned to be transplanted, do it at once. When on a sprout there were already three and more leaflets, change injures a young tree what it can die from.
Whether you know? If you have any remains of a cannon after cooking, do not hurry to throw out. Thanks to fruit acid, its pulp can be used for polishing of copper and brass products, and juice to squeeze out and use as local bleach: for washing, as additive in face toner and even as conditioner for a mouth.
As for leaving, plant rather unpretentious. Despite tropical origin, conditions suffers very moderate, but some rules nevertheless it is worth following.
- Replacing. The root system of the growing tree constantly increases because of what and it will be annually necessary to replace it in the increasing and bigger flowerpot. The soil needs to be chosen for an adult cannon subacidic, it is possible universal soil, but only not alkaline. From alkali in the earth the plant is ill.
- Moisture and watering. Young plants it is necessary to splash warm water regularly. The surrounding temperature is higher — the more often it is splashed. Moderate watering.
- Lighting and temperature. Diffused light is ideal, but short time and in a shadow can stagnate. In spite of the fact that a plant tropical, ideal temperature, regardless of a season, is +15...+25 °C. It is necessary to protect from cold and drafts carefully as the cannon is afraid of it most of all.
- Feeding up. It is necessary to feed a plant regularly as it can blossom when necessary, and forces are for this purpose necessary. Try to add each 3-4 months to a flowerpot complex fertilizers according to the instruction.
- Cutting. There is no need per se for it unless it is clean for esthetic reasons.
- Reproduction comes only inoculation or seeds from fruits.
From minuses for house cultivation — very big size of a tree: grows high and branchy, even in the apartment. It, of course, is beautiful, but also the areas demands corresponding. By the way, grows rather slowly so do not expect miracles at once.
In general, because of exoticism this tree was not necessary to the yard to local parasites yet, however some diseases after all can happen. Chloroz can arise at a lack of iron and at the alkaline soil. The surplus of direct sunshine can lead to a burn of leaves. If to water a plant seldom, the tree begins to dump leaves and if to pour — roots begin to decay.
Important! As well as other representatives of the family, at this plant leaves at touch and in night-time are closed. However, if it occurs in the afternoon — it is worth paying attention to health of a plant and to find the reason. Such behavior for a cannon abnormal.
As for parasites, pochkovy nematodes, fruit flies and a fungus at excessive watering can visit a cannon. Other wreckers meanwhile did not master this exotic tree.
Cannon — an unusual, bright and useful plant, and its fruit have interesting appearance and a peculiar taste. Anyway, once is better to try it, than many times to read about it.