Exotic fruits - The Italian

Exotic or tropical fruit has long since conquered a place on our tables. Mango, kiwi, papaya, passion fruit and pineapple attract us for their bright colors, for a whole new taste and for the properties and benefits they bring to our health. In fact, they provide us with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in noteworthy quantities.

Especially in summer, fresh or dried, exotic fruits tease our palate and are perfect for smoothies, fruit salads, fruit salads, desserts, but also for original first and second courses that stimulate the imagination in the kitchen.

But let’s see what they are, where they come from and their beneficial properties for health.

Exotic fruits: what it is and where it comes from:

Tropical fruit growing is one of the alternative crops that are becoming increasingly popular. This is because there are many beneficial properties and the high nutritional value of these fruits.

Varying our diet ensures us a complete and balanced diet.

Therefore, bringing tropical fruits to our tables is a good habit, because they are nutritious and rich in mineral salts and vitamins. They then make us rediscover the taste of eating fruit, help us strengthen our immune system and quench our thirst in the warmer seasons.

That of exotic fruit is a rather varied world, given the great diversity of tropical fruits and plants. However, a first distinction can be made based on taste: the sweet or sour one has nutritional characteristics similar to our fruit, while the “fatty” one is more similar to dried fruit or oilseeds.

In the latter case, the fruits are more caloric and contain unsaturated fatty acids that make them different from the fruit as we are used to understanding it.

This is the case, for example, of avocado, rich in good fatty acids, vitamins and beta-carotene, but also in calories (238 kcal per 100 g).

The countries that produce this type of fruit are located mainly in the Tropic of Cancer (hence the name “tropical”), then Africa, Latin America, but also India and Indonesia.

Properties and characteristics of exotic fruits for our well-being

Consuming exotic or tropical fruits certainly has a beneficial effect on our health. They are, in fact, foods rich in essential nutrients for our well-being such as vitamins, water, mineral salts, fiber and good fatty acids.

For example, bananas are a valuable source of potassium. Instead, pineapple abounds in vitamin C and A, while passion fruit is a super fruit with antioxidant properties, rich in anthocyanins and lycopene.

So exotic sour or sweet fruits contain significant amounts of water, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts. Instead, the fatty ones have a decent lipid and protein content, therefore a greater caloric intake. They are also excellent sources of calcium, selenium, tocopherol and vitamin E.

List and calories of exotic fruits

Among the most consumed exotic fruits, some have already occupied a place in our kitchens. Others, on the other hand, are more expensive and particular, others still little known.

However, all or almost all lend themselves to original and imaginative recipes, from pies, to fruit compotes, from fish accompanied with kiwi-based sauces, to grilled pineapple.

So, let’s see the list of exotic fruits:

1 – Kiwi

Originally from China, the kiwi was then imported to New Zealand, where it took the name of the bird symbol of this nation, commonly called kiwi (because it is very reminiscent of it in shape and velvety appearance).

There are several varieties of kiwi, but the best known are green and yellow. In Italy, the most present on our tables is the green variety. The fruit has an oval shape, with a dark brown hairy skin. The flesh inside is instead of a beautiful emerald green color, with a delicate flavor even if a little acidic.

Kiwis are a real fruit of health. In 100 g of product there are only 48 total calories, but at least 400 mg of potassium, 0.5 mg of iron and 85 mg of vitamin C.

It consists of 80% water, has few carbohydrates and fats close to zero. But it is a real concentrate of vitamins, because it contains above all those of group B, such as B1 and B2.

In addition, it has a high content of fiber that helps the functionality of the intestine and is rich in antioxidant substances. Obviously, we cannot fail to point out the presence of vitamin C, because kiwi contains much more than orange and lemon.

C vitamin

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the health of our body and a valid aid for the immune system. Kiwis contain 85 mg per 100 g, more than oranges, in which we have 50 mg.

This fruit preserves vitamin C thanks to the rather robust outer skin and the chlorophyll present in the pulp. These two elements are therefore able to protect the integrity of the vitamin which tends to deteriorate easily under heat, light and air.

Generally, the more unripe and tart the fruit, the more vitamin C there is . As the fruit ripens and becomes sweeter, the content of the vitamin decreases.

Omega 3 fatty acids

An oil particularly rich in essential fatty acids is obtained from the black seeds of kiwis . These seeds are in fact an excellent source of alpha-linoleic acid (which belongs to the omega 3 series ), which helps prevent many diseases and keep blood fat levels low.

In fact, the regular intake of omega 3 in the diet strengthens the body’s immune defences, improves memory and mood. Furthermore, it protects against the onset of cardiovascular diseases.

2 – Avocado

The avocado is an exotic fruit with a thousand beneficial properties. Native to Central and South America, it is now widespread in many areas of the planet: it is a very important food for our health and especially for those who follow a vegetarian diet.

It has now also entered the eating habits of Italians but is often considered, wrongly, an enemy of diet because it is too caloric.

The pulp is particularly oily, it also has a decent calorie content, 231 out of 100 g. So, if you do not want to gain weight, is it better to eliminate it from the diet, thus giving up its many benefits?

The answer is no, just consume it in moderation (no more than half a time), also because the fats it contains are precious for health and, in addition, it is a fruit that guarantees a remarkable sense of satiety.

A good rule of thumb is not to eat avocado together with other fatty foods, better to consume it to flavor a nice mixed salad without adding oil, or in the company of a low-fat yogurt.

It is an exotic fruit with many health benefits. Among them, it protects the cardiovascular system and reduces cholesterol . It is a very versatile fruit in the kitchen because it adapts well to both more elaborate recipes and simpler ones, such as salads. It is nutritious and energetic , so it is really excellent if eaten for breakfast every now and then.

Avocado, thanks to its richness in mineral salts and vitamins, is nourishing and tonic and has many beneficial properties. Here are some.

Large amount of omega 3 : these fatty acids are extremely important for counteracting the action of free radicals and the consequent cellular oxidation and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Contained fibers help keep the intestine healthy and increase the sense of satiety
Satiety . just a small amount of avocado is enough to feel full: this is great if you’re on a low-calorie diet
Mix of phytochemicals that make it a food that protects against inflammatory bowel and carcinogenic diseases.

3 –Banana

Banana is one of the most nutritious and tasty exotic fruits, loved by young and old for its soft texture and particularly sweet taste. Practical, “portable” snack, it gives precious energy to those who choose it.

It is also rich in potassium, vitamins and mineral salts. In addition, it brings great benefits to the body: it fights cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, regulates the intestines and helps mood.

Potassium is useful for eliminating liquids, limiting water retention and controlling high blood pressure, also promoting the good functionality of the cardio-vascular system.

Rich in magnesium, banana helps against cramps and is ideal for those who exercise. Then, it has a calming effect on acidity and heartburn and its fibers better manage intestinal irregularity, hindering constipation.

It is the most consumed fruit in the world, but since it is a caloric fruit (65 calories per 100 g) it should be consumed in moderation by those with weight problems.

Normally the banana is eaten fresh, natural. But it is also excellent blended with milk or other fruit to create tasty and nutritious smoothies, chopped in yogurt, cut into fruit salad, in the form of ice cream. It can also be used to garnish cakes and various desserts or as an ingredient for desserts such as banana bread.

In addition to its great versatility and unique taste, it is a fruit rich in phytonutrients , including vitamins (C, A and B vitamins) and phenolic compounds .

It also contains many minerals such as copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus.

4 – Papaya

There are about fifty varieties of papaya in the world, but most cannot be eaten. The edible ones that we find at the market come from Mexico and have a very refreshing sweetish pulp.

The nutritional properties of papaya make this fruit a true “super food”. In fact, it is a food with high nutritional values and is low-calorie, only 28 calories per 100 g.

A special feature is the presence of proteolytic enzymes that promote the digestive process and intestinal function.

Moreover, thanks to its antioxidant properties, this exotic fruit is ideal for maintaining the well-being of the whole organism, counteracting the effects of aging.

In the kitchen, with papaya, you can prepare smoothies, sweets, ice cream, jams and candies. The pulp is also dried and consumed as dried fruit.

In fact, fermented papaya has become very famous in recent years and there are several studies on its benefits to stimulate the immune system and fight free radicals.

It is a remedy of natural origin produced by fermenting and grinding the fruits of the Carica papaya plant. A shrub belonging to the Caricacee family, originally from Mexico.

The tropical infructescences, rich in therapeutic properties , are freshly subjected to a process of microbial fermentation, at low temperature, lasting 8/10 months.

Subsequently, we proceed with the pulverization of the papaya , used for the production of phytotherapeutic remedies that you can find on the market in different formulations:

Tablets.
Sachets to dissolve in water.
Capsules.
Chewable tablets.

Through fermentation, the therapeutic properties attributable to the plant are enhanced. In fact, the antioxidant load would be optimized.

5 – Pineapple

Pineapple is an exotic draining, digestive, dietary, refreshing fruit with many healthy properties. It then lends itself to making tasty and original recipes.

It contains bromelain, an enzyme present in the stem that has an anti-inflammatory action. It is, in fact, often used in the treatment of cellulite, for external and internal use, as an ally to limit the damage caused by water retention and flame the tissues swollen by the stagnation of liquids.

Pineapple also alleviates stomach pains, especially abdominal cramps and the feeling of heaviness that comes after a heavy meal. In addition to acting as a calming agent, it also helps to digest high-protein foods thanks to bromelain.

Very good to eat naturally, it is perfect for juices and centrifuges, or to enrich the salad. It is an excellent ally for those who want to lose weight, not only for the few calories (49 calories per 100 g) it provides but also because it stimulates the sense of satiety.

It is one of the best-known fruits and enjoys a very special record: it is the most canned in the world!

But the substances that make fresh pineapple an extremely interesting fruit are two enzymes: peroxidase and bromelain .

6 – Mango

Mango, in addition to being sweet and tasty, also has few calories: 53 per 100 g. It is therefore a perfect fruit for the diet.

Promoted by experts as a “super-fruit”, it is receiving an ever-increasing consensus among consumers. In addition, its nutritional properties allow this fruit to carve out a well-deserved leading role in the diet for those who care about their well-being in a natural way.

In fact, the good fiber content promotes and facilitates normal motility and intestinal regularity avoiding constipation.

Although low-calorie, the glycemic index of mango is considered medium, because when ripe it is rich in simple sugars (fructose).

Therefore, those who suffer from diabetes tend to avoid it, but with due precautions it is not a forbidden fruit.

Finally, it is also rich in fiber and consists mainly of water: characteristics that give it purifying, laxative and diuretic properties.

In cooking, mango pulp can be used in fruit salads, fruit skewers, extracts, smoothies, smoothies, ice creams and sorbets. Or it can be used as a dressing for salads, which makes them tasty and tasty. Mango, thanks to its sweetness, is also widely used as a garnish for cakes, often combined with chocolate. .

7 – Tamarind

Native to East Africa and Madagascar, tamarind is known for its thirst-quenching and laxative properties. Also called “date of India”, the tamarind looks like a woody pod inside which there are seeds, wrapped in a pulp with an acid taste and brown color. The latter is composed of water, sugars, fiber, fats and proteins, as well as mineral salts and vitamins. Due to these characteristics, it is rather used both in the kitchen and for the preparation of cosmetic products.

There are 239 calories of tamarind per 100 g of product.

It is rich in tartaric acid that acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect the human body from harmful free radicals, but there are many properties that are recognized in the pulp of the fruit, seeds and other parts of the plant. In fact, each of these exerts beneficial effects on the health of our body.

From the processing of its peel, for example, a dark pulp is obtained with which jams, jellies and syrups with a laxative effect are produced.

Tamarind also contains tamarindin, an active ingredient that effectively fights some infections including candida.

Those who suffer from difficult digestion find the tamarind a good ally because it regulates gastric functions. In fact, homeopathic medicine uses it to combat stomach pain.

8 – Plantain

The plane tree is an exotic fruit very similar to the banana, although it is quite different from each other. Rich in starch, it is used in cooking as potatoes or substitute for rice and pasta.

Larger than banana, it has a drier pulp and is closer, in consistency, to the potato, especially if unripe. The more mature plane tree, in fact, is sweeter and can also be eaten raw. Calories are 122 per 100 g of product.

It is a nutritious fruit and has many beneficial properties. In fact, it is indicated for those suffering from digestive disorders, such as celiac disease, intestinal inflammation or gastritis.

Then, it is a good source of vitamins, especially A, B and C, abounds in fiber and does not contain cholesterol.

Its consumption has no particular contraindications. But given the high sugar content, it is best to consume it in moderation, especially if you suffer from diabetes, are overweight or are following a low-calorie diet.

9 – Coconut

Also called “tree of life” in the Pacific islands, coconut is a plant that provides a wonderful fruit, the “coconut”: refreshing with its water reserve and nourishing with its pulp, from which a velvety sweet and tasty milk (coconut milk) is obtained and from which a very versatile oil is also extracted.

It is classified as a “functional food” because it provides health benefits. In addition, in addition to its nutritional content, it is highly energetic, rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. It counts 364 calories per 100 g of product.

Coconut water is obtained by grating the solid endosperm, with or without the addition of water, and is served as a very thirst-quenching drink. While coconut milk is usually used as a food ingredient in various recipes of traditional cuisine.

10 – Lime

Originally from Asia, lime (or lime) lends itself to the kitchen for numerous recipes for its particular aroma. In addition, it is very rich in vitamin C and is therefore a valid ally for:

Strengthen the immune system.
Strengthen the bones.
Counteract the harmful action of free radicals.
Eradicate bacterial and fungal infections.

Compared to lemon, which has a distinctly acidic taste, lime has a very juicy, fragrant, and bitter pulp due to the high concentration of citric acid.

Lemon has almost twice as much vitamin C as lime but the latter beats it with a high concentration of vitamin A.

Both have the same caloric intake of 30 kcal and contain 2.8 g of fiber and the same amount of folic acid.

Lime is also an excellent ingredient in the kitchen for fish dishes or meat carpaccio. How not to think of guacamole, the typical sauce of Mexican cuisine or the king of aperitifs such as mojito.

11 – Tamarillo

Originally from countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia. and Argentina, the tamarillo is a fruit of the same family as the tomato and with very interesting beneficial properties.

Also known as tree tomato, tamarillo is the fruit of the Cyphomandra betacea plant, belonging to the Solanaceae family . Distinguished by a dense and juicy pulp, it is famous for its excellent quality nutritional profile .

The tamarillo is a fruit rich in nutrients and has many beneficial properties for the body. It contains high vitamin values , especially vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as important mineral salts such as iron, calcium and magnesium. It also has a low caloric value, as there are about 40 calories for every 100 grams of product . It contains at least 6 grams of fiber per 100 grams of fruit and its properties include laxative, carminative, purifying and immunostimulant properties . The tamarillo is a real ally in case of constipation .

Tamarillo berries are also rich in beta-carotene , a substance that helps us counteract the signs of skin aging. Being rich in minerals and low in calories, these beautiful exotic berries are also very suitable for inclusion in a diet plan .

The high fiber content undoubtedly makes this fruit useful in combating certain diseases and disorders of the intestine , such as constipation and abdominal swelling. The content of vitamin A and vitamin C helps prevent the main colds such as cough, sore throat, fever, flu and nasal congestion.

Finally, this fruit is an excellent ally to reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. To get an early morning energizing effect , we recommend preparing a tamarillo smoothie, adding a little orange and a passion fruit, to continue with this tropical twist. You will turbocharge your morning!

Tamarillo recipes

The aromatic profile of this tropical fruit is halfway between the sweet notes of the melon and the acidity of a red tomato . All these characteristics make it perfect both for savory dishes and for delicious tropical desserts, provided you remove the peel which tends to be very sour. Let’s see some recipes.

Tamarillo and Avocado Salad

When we find ourselves in front of a little-known tropical fruit, the best choice is often to combine it with a food that comes from the same areas. Avocado and tamarillo salad is a fresh and summery recipe that combines the exotic flavor of these two particular fruits with typically Mediterranean aromas.

Peel a tamarillo and chop it coarsely. Add the diced avocado pulp. Add some Taggiasca olives and diced feta cheese. Season with EVO oil, salt and a pinch of pepper.

12 – Passion fruit

The passion fruit or passion fruit is the fruit of a plant native to tropical areas. There are two main types of passion fruit: purple passion fruit, with dark purple skin, and yellow fruit.

From a nutritional point of view, it is mainly composed of water (73%) along with proteins, fats, fibers and carbohydrates. The calories are 97 per 100 g of product and there are also good amounts of mineral salts, such as:

Potassium.
Magnesium.
Sodium.
Phosphorus.
Calcium.
Iron.
Zinc.
Selenium.

It is also a significant source of antioxidants, which counteract free radicals and cellular aging. Vitamins are also well represented, especially C and B vitamins.

It is easily digested and promotes motility and intestinal regularity thanks to the presence of pectin, also responsible for the satiating effect and its positive action on the metabolism of fats and sugars.

The presence of mucilage then makes passion fruit a useful remedy against gastritis and colitis. They also contain essential fatty acids, among which omega 6 and omega 3 stand out.

13 – Carambola

The English name of the carambola is “star fruit”, for its classic five-pointed star shape.

It has a fairly crunchy texture, like that of an apple. The varieties that arrive on our markets are the sweet ones, but there are many others less sweet in which the sourness stands out due to the high content of oxalic acid.

The carambola fruit is used almost 100%. The properly washed peel is edible and the pulp does not have hard or extremely fibrous parts, removed some seeds. Calories, on the other hand, are 31 per 100 g of product.

It can be used to flavor and season a salad or as an ingredient in some exotic sauce. Its juice is used like that of a lemon.

14 – Physalis or winter cherry

Physalis is an herbaceous plant native to the Asian continent. It is characterized by a red-orange fruit contained in a lantern-shaped calyx, which has a texture similar to papier-mâché.

The plant is toxic to the human body except for the berries that are edible and rich in vitamin C. They are similar in size to cherries, for this reason they are also nicknamed “winter cherries”. Count 280 calories per 100 g of product.

It has interesting diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, for this reason it is successfully administered in the treatment of urinary tract disorders. In addition, it is an excellent source of antioxidants.

The berries have a citrus sour taste, particularly pleasant to the palate. They can be eaten both fresh and as an ingredient to add to cakes and pies.

In addition, you can prepare excellent jams or try the delicious dark chocolate Physalis.

15 – Lychee

The Lychee or Lychee, also known as “Chinese cherry” or “Chinese walnut”, until a few years ago was little known on our tables, despite being cultivated and consumed in China for over 2100 years.

The interest in these fruits is linked both to the goodness of their pulp, sweet, aromatic and fragrant, and to the nutritional properties and health effects found, especially those preventives against some degenerative diseases.

Thanks to its important nutraceutical properties, therefore, the fruit is currently emerging as a potential functional food. Its calories per 100 g of product are 70.

It is to be appreciated the abundance in the composition of the fruit in vitamins, especially vitamin C, but also the whole group of vitamins B and K.

Generally, it is eaten fresh, simply peeled, enjoying the sweet, aromatic and juicy white-pearly pulp and discarding the seed kept inside.

16 – Pomegranate

The fruit of the pomegranate, the pomegranate, is typical of the autumn season and originated in India, Pakistan and China, in the Himalayan area.

Juicy and sour, antioxidant, strengthens the immune system. Not only that, it is a concentrate of beauty and beneficial properties, ideal for filling up on health.

The qualities of the pomegranate are extraordinary, both shelled and eaten simply with a little lemon, and sipped in the form of juice.

In addition, it is a mine of phytoestrogens, plant compounds similar to estrogen produced by the body, which are useful for giving relief to disorders related to menopause but also have an antioxidant effect, which slows aging and prevents atherosclerosis and heart disease. Count 68 calories per 100 g of product.

According to popular tradition it is a fruit that brings good luck. In the Jewish religion, in fact, the pomegranate is a symbol of productivity and wealth because it contains many seeds and is mentioned several times in the Bible as one of the seven fruits of the Promised Land.

17 – Feijoa

Feijoa or pineapple guava is a particularly tasty tropical fruit produced from the Feijoa sellowiana plant, also known as Acca sellowiana Burret.

The shrub is native to the highlands of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay. Feijoa crops are also found in Italy, particularly in the Ligurian Riviera and Sicily where it is grown both as a fruit tree and as a garden plant.

It lends itself to a versatile use in the kitchen, in fact it is the ideal ingredient for the realization of smoothies, jams and liqueurs. It has only 61 calories per 100 g of product.

In addition, it is a rich source of minerals and vitamins essential for the well-being of our body. Thanks to its nutrients, feijoa has a formidable strengthening action on the immune system and influences the proper functioning of the metabolism.

Finally, being a low-calorie food and totally cholesterol-free, it can be considered a valid ally for the loss of body weight.

It refers to the fragrance of pineapple with the addition of notes of apple and mint. The flesh is decidedly juicy, composed of two distinct parts: a clear, gelatinous and rich in seeds, and another with a more solid consistency tending to grainy and opalescent.

18 – Kumquat

Chinese mandarin, also known as kumquat or Fortunella, is a small oval-shaped citrus fruit that gives the palate an explosive combination of sweet and sour flavors.

Thanks to this peculiarity, the Chinese fruit lends itself to being successfully used in the kitchen. In addition, being a rich source of flavonoids and vitamins, kumquat boasts formidable therapeutic properties. Its calories are 71 per 100 g of product.

In fact, in addition to being a powerful antioxidant and strengthening the immune system, it is effectively used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and in body weight loss programs.

It resembles orange but small in size, round or oval in shape, colored orange. The name has Cantonese origins and comes from the word ‘kamkwat’ which translates to “golden orange”.

19 – Guava

Guava is the fruit of a plant widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is a fleshy berry with a yellowish to red-orange skin.

It is considered a food of great value, not only for its pleasant taste, but for its nutraceutical qualities, so much so that it is considered a “super food“. In fact, it is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, sugars and fiber.

Its beneficial properties mainly concern anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and antidiabetic effects for the benefit of the digestive system, circulatory system and skin.

In addition to the fruit, other parts of the plant are also used for food purposes. With the leaves are prepared teas, infusions and decoctions. Instead, the essential oil is used for perfumery and is extracted mainly from the leaves.

The fruit of guava is 100% edible and is recommended to be consumed with the whole peel (well washed), because it is the part where the most valuable nutrients are concentrated, especially vitamin C. It has only 68 calories per 100 g.

20 – Pitaya or Dragonfruit

The pitaya or dragonfruit is an exotic fruit little known in Italy and cultivated in Asia. The skin is usually pink but there are also red or yellow. The inner pulp, on the other hand, is white with small black seeds.

The dragon fruits are very fragrant and soft, with a sweet and delicate taste. In addition, they have excellent beneficial properties for health because they are rich in antioxidants and micronutrients, such as:

Iron.
Magnesium.
Vitamin C.
Vitamin E.

The caloric intake is 264 kcal per 100 g of product, so although rich in nutrients useful for health, pitaya is rather caloric and should be consumed in moderation.

It is eaten fresh, cut in half and enjoying the pulp with a spoon or diced with yogurt or in salads and fruit salads.

21 – Durian

Durian is an exotic fruit native to Malaysia and renowned in Southeast Asia as the “king of fruits”, for the rich nutrients contained in the rind.

Instead, in other countries it is considered the most smelly infructescence in the world because it releases an acrid and particularly pungent smell that makes it difficult to appreciate. However, the flesh has a pleasantly creamy texture and a blend of unmistakable flavors that attract even the finest palates. 100 g of product counts 147 calories.

This is why it is successfully used as an ingredient in delicious recipes.

The fruit also contains numerous therapeutic virtues and its consumption is particularly indicated to improve digestion and counteract insomnia.

However, the fruit is rich in nutrients that are important for the health of the body. In particular, there is a high concentration of anthocyanins, carotenoids, polyphenols and flavonoids with strong antioxidant properties.

22- Mangosteen

Mangosteen is a valuable exotic fruit produced from the Indonesian plant Garcinia mangostana.

With a knife with a sharp blade, you can cut the hard rind of the fruit in half and enjoy the pulp with a sweet, exotic and refreshing taste.

Thanks to its aromatic notes, it lends itself to the realization of confectionery products. In addition, being rich in nutritional properties, the extracted juice becomes an interesting therapeutic remedy.

Mangosteen contains vitamins, such as C and folate, which are a rich source of antioxidants. It counts 63 calories per 100 g of product.

It is used to counteract the harmful action of free radicals and to strengthen the immune system.

Once the fruit is opened, you can taste the creamy wedges. They should be consumed as if it were an orange. They can be either tasted directly by taking them from the fresh fruit, or preserved to use them later as an ingredient for the realization of delicious recipes.

It is considered one of the most delicious exotic fruits.

23 – Kiwano

Native to Africa, kiwano is an excellent source of trace elements, such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron.

Its taste is not very intense, watery, reminiscent of cucumber and remotely banana, although it has a slightly sweet and sour aftertaste.

With its 44 kcal per 100 g, it contains good amounts of vitamin C and B6 and is very rich in water. It is also considered an excellent remineralizer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

You can also consume the pulp of this fruit but only after cooking, as it contains a higher concentration of vitamin C and dietary fiber.

In many African countries it is considered a precious fruit because it is rich in water. It is usually cooked whole (roasted or boiled with other vegetables) but it is also good eaten fresh, taking care to avoid the thorns of the peel. The pulp can be added to salads, creams, yogurt, fruit salads, etc.

To enhance the flavor just add a teaspoon of salt or sugar or lemon juice.

24 – Cherimoya

Cherimoya is a fruit native to the American continent. It is not easily found on the market in Italy but is known for its taste and nutritional and beneficial properties for the body.

It allows a good supply of vitamins (especially C), sugars and mineral salts, including potassium. Count 75 calories per 100 g of product.

The characteristic of this fruit is the content of a polyphenol, annonacin with excellent antioxidant properties.

Then, thanks to the presence of fibers, cherimoya is useful as a laxative in case of constipation. In addition, it also allows to reduce cholesterol levels and promotes digestive processes.

The pulp has a sweet taste, but seeds that are highly toxic to the body, even poisonous in certain doses, should be avoided. In fact, in South America shredded seeds are used as an insecticide.