Sapodilla Nutrition Facts!



Sapodilla or Sapota or chikoo, a delicious tropical fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and health benefiting anti-oxidant tannins. The fruit is soft, composed of easily digestible pulp made up with simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly.

Sapota is a tropical evergreen fruit bearing tree belongs to the family of sapotaceae of the genus: Manilkara. Scientific  name: Manilkara zapota.

Health benefits of sapodilla 

• Sapodilla is rich in dietary fiber (5.6 g/100g), which makes it a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps relieve constipation episodes and also helps protect the mucous membrane of the colon from cancer causing toxins by firmly binding to them.
• The fruit is rich in antioxidant poly-phenolic compound tannin.  Research studies found that tannins have shown to have potential anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic effects. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of tannins help limit conditions like erosive gastritis, reflux-esophagitis, enteritis and irritating bowel disorders.
• Sapote contains good amount of antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C (24.5% of recommended daily intake per 100 g of fruit) and vitamin A.
• Fresh ripen sapodilla are good source of minerals like potassium, copper, iron and vitamins like folate, niacin and pantothenic acid.
   There are many cultivars of sapodilla are grown worlwide like-
• Brown Sugar variety -  Fruit is medium to small, 2 to 2-1/2 inches long, nearly round. Skin is light, scruffy brown. Flesh pale brown, fragrant, juicy, very sweet and rich, texture slightly granular. Quality is very good.

• Prolific variety –  The fruit is round-conical, 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches long and broad. Skin is scruffy, brown, becoming nearly smooth at maturity. Flesh light pinkish, mildly fragrant, texture smooth, flavor sweet, quality good. Tree bears early, consistently and heavily.

• Russel type-  The fruit is large, round, 3 to 5 inches in diameter and length. Skin is scruffy brown with gray patches. Flesh is pinkish, mildly fragrant, texture somewhat granular. Flavor is rich and sweet.

• Tikal - A new seedling selection with excellent flavor. Elliptic in shape, light brown in color, smaller than Prolific. Ripens very early.

Selection and storage

Sapodillas are available all around the season in the markets. Harvesting is usually done by plucking each fruit gently as in mango.
In the store, buy fresh sapodilla with smooth intact skin and without cuts/cracks, bruises or wrinkles. once ripen, the fruit just yield to gentle thumb pressure. 

Mature but unripe fruits must be kept at room temperature for 7 to 10 days to ripen. Firm, ripe sapodillas can keep well for several days in the home refrigerator, and at 35° F, they can be kept for 6 weeks. The fruit is usually consumed fresh without any additions.

Preparation and serving method

Wash the sandy scruff before selecting the fruit to ripen. Fresh sapodilla should be eaten when it turns soft.   Usually, cut the fruit into two equal halves, then scoop the flesh using spoon and discard the seeds. It should be enjoyed without any additions in order to experience its unique flavor.

Here are some serving tips:

• Fresh fruit sections are a great addition to fruit salads.
• Sapodilla-milk shake is a favorite drink in Asia.
• It is also used in ice-creams, cakes, pies...etc.
• The research is being done to extract liquor from sapota.

SAPOTA SAPLINGS AVAILABLE AT OUR OFFICE:

Home grown sapota saplings are available for your garden. This variety is Russel type which is large and round.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients: Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), fresh, Nutritive value per 100 g.  (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	83 Kcal	4%
Carbohydrates	19.9 g	15%
Protein	0.44 g	<1%
Total Fat	1.10 g	3.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	5.3 g	14%
Vitamins
Folates	14 mcg	3.5%
Niacin	0.200 mg	1%
Pantothenic acid	0.252 mg	5%
Pyridoxine	0.037 mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.020 mg	1.5%
Thiamin	0.058 mg	5%
Vitamin A	60 IU	2%
Vitamin C	14.7 mg	24.5%
Electrolytes
Sodium	12 mg	1%
Potassium	193 mg	4%
Minerals
Calcium	21 mg	2%
Copper	0.086 mg	9%
Iron	0.80mg	10%
Magnesium	12mg	3%
Phosphorous	12 mg	2%
Phosphorus
Zinc	0.10 mg	1%

Basil Plant!

Basil, originally from India, is best known as a culinary herb prominently featured in Italian cuisine, and also plays a major role in the Northeast Asian cuisine of Taiwan and the Southeast Asian cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell.

The 'tulsi' plant or Indian Holy basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'tulsi' connotes "the incomparable one". Tulsi is a venerated plant and Hindus worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama tulsi and light or Rama tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal value. Of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama tulsi is commonly used for worship.

Apart from its religious significance it is of great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste, tusli is a kind of "the elixir of life" as it promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes though of late it is used in the manufacture of herbal toiletry.

Image Courtesy: Hundekar Home Garden.

Hibiscus Flowers!

This is one type of garden flower which I never get exhausted whenever i see the colors ....It's like the more colors you see,you fall in love with the flower the more. One day i would like to own only hibiscus garden with all varieties available in the world...A dream..
Image Courtesy : Hundekar Home Garden,Bengaluru.

 

Spatika flowers!

This variety has a long tender stalk in different colors white,pink,violet,yellow,orange etc. The garlands made out of these flowers are commonly found in South India.The shelf life of this flower is 24 hrs.

Adorable Aromatic Jasmines!

Image courtesy: Hundekar Home garden.

There are multiple varieties of Jasmines available in Karnataka, but the rounded one which has aroma that will make you fall in love is round jasmine or Mysore Mallige which as GI Tag. This flower is used for weddings and the buds are used for garlands. The bride loves this and in South India, there is a typical culture of making wear 'Moggina Jade' or 'jasmine bud pleat' during the wedding.
The womenfolk love to decorate their long braids with metres of sweet smelling jasmine flowers or wait for the whole year to dress up their lovely daughters with ‘moggina jade’, followed by photo sessions and secure it in the family album that can be cherished during the later stages of their lives.

The 'Kakada' variety of jasmine is aromaless and the shelf life is 3 days if taken care in a wet place. This variety is less priced compared to aromatic jasmines which has 1 day shelf life.

'Parijata' Variety: This jasmine has life of one night and it blooms in the evening . The aroma in the night is highly fragrant and hence it is called 'night queen' flower. This flower is religiously offered to Lord Hanuman in India. The beauty of this flower is it has orange colored stalk and the petals are tender. The moment you touch them they break.

                                      

                  

Udupi Jasmine or Mangalore Mallige:

This variety is more aromatic than Mysore Mallige and the buds are used more commonly in rituals like marriages in Mangalore culture. The petals are long and sharp edged unlike 'Dundu Mallige' which is more rounded one.

Saplings Available for Fruit lovers!

PAPAYA SAPLINGS :

The variety is  Red Lady papaya. This sapling right now is available for fruit lovers who want to grow in their garden at home.

CUSTARD APPLE SAPLINGS

This sapling bears big size fruits and pulp thick. Though I would like some day, our scientists in horticulture department would think on new discovery of seedless custard apples.

ROSE APPLE SAPLINGS

There is one more variety of Custard Apple in Karnataka which grows abundantly in Shimoga Belt called as Ram seethaphala. This variety has more pulp than seeds. It is more sweeter than normal custard apple.Its appearance is light brown skin and the pulp is pale yellow color.

How to grow Rose Apple at Home!

Thank you fans for appreciating my venture interest in growing Rose apples at home!!!

Rose apples can be grown from both seed and saplings. The germination requires 4-8 weeks depending upon the seed variety. First soak the seed in some pots and then plant the saplings about 5 feet difference from each other in a shaded area. The shrub grows in a tropical climate and hence balance the sunlight and cool climate. The leaves are jade green with rose color when they are tender and becomes dark brown green when they are mature. The leaves are used in perfume industry also as per research studies.

Hardiness: The rose apple is moderately hardy and will withstand temperatures to 25F if fully grown.

Growing Environment: Grow in full sun. Water moderately.

Propagation: Almost always by seeds, which loose viability quickly. Seeds are polyembryonic and can produce multiple seedlings which can be carefully separated when young. As seeds begin germination they will appear to crack open. The roots and main shoot appear from the central portion of the seed.

Uses: Usually eaten fresh or used in preserves. Rose apples spoil very quickly so fruits should be used soon after picking. The large, hollow seed cavity is sometimes utilized to stuff the fruits and bake them. Fruit extract can be used to make a sweet smelling rose water.

Native Range: Native to southeast Asia. Has spread through India and South Pacific islands and is now cultivated in some parts of the tropics. Grows from sea level to 3000ft elevation in its native range.

Flowering Stage: April-May

Immature Fruit or Unripened rose colored fruit:

SAPLINGS AVAILABILITY:

I have grown a small nursery of Rose apple saplings in our garden. Interested persons can buy the saplings from our office at a nominal cost of Rs.80/-.

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Appreciation of my Blog & Sample shipment to CANADA

I am honored by our client from CANADA about the content of my blog. Find out what they have to say:

Hello Ms Keerthi,You have a very beautiful website!

The following varieties of Mille Fiorii Honey has been shipped today to our CANADIAN Client who is a bulk distributor to North American Markets.

1. Exhibit 1: INDIAN BORAGE

2. Exhibit 2: INDIAN JUJUBE

3. Exhibit 3 : MULTIFLORA

Types of Mono-floral Honey !

The brand 'Mille Fiorii' has both Monofloral & Multifloral Honey. Below is the varieties of Monofloral Honey pictures exhibited.


Exhibit 1: Different varieties.

Exhibit 2: BABUL ACACIA

Alphonso Mango Campaign!

The Mango campaign is been run in the neighbourhood of H.S.R.Layout for the benefit of consumers who would like to buy organic mangoes at farmer's price.

This facility is created to benefit both farmers and customers who wish to taste the authentic mangoes from the orchards.The first step has been taken in one area and as the campaign gets heated, it will be planned to other areas also in Bengaluru.

The minimum quantity for local purchase has been fixed to 10kg/customer to work out the economical and financial benefits for farmers.

Organic Fruits!

Organic food helps people live longer
London, May 21, (IANS):

Organic food could help extend the average lifespans by 25 days for men and 17 days for women, say experts. Going organic will also keep you healthier and slimmer. Fruit and vegetables grown without artificial fertilisers have more key nutrients, including vitamin C, they said. 

A lucky few could live for many months longer and some for up to five years more, the researchers said.  The study by the University of Newcastle argues that it is on a par with the benefit for the country from the national breast cancer screening programme, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

It also suggests eating organic is likely to improve general health, highlighting the higher levels of compounds which encourage the body to burn fat.  The conclusion challenges the Food Standards Agency, which has long dismissed the health gains of organic food.

The researchers, based at Newcastle’s School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, reviewed all the most recent research on nutrients found in organic food. The Newcastle study will be published in the next issue of the journal Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 

Cashew Nut tree!

When I visited one of the mango orchards in Srinivasapura, the farmer had few cashew nut trees. The trees have started flowering and you can see the fruit.

Ripened Rose Apple!

At last the Rose apples have ripened in the tree and it is the size of a normal lemon with a tinge of golden yellow. I took this picture in the early morning hours today and you can see the dew on the leaves.

Different types of Rose apples found in different countries. The colors vary from yellow,red,green and pink. The shapes are from round,oval,pear due to different tropical climate and seed variety.