Full List of Fruits Ackee fruit
Ackee Fruit
Scientific name - Blighia sapida
Ackee, national fruit of Jamaica is a fruit that is yellow in color with black seeds. The edible fruit also known as aril is used in many cuisines. Treated like a vegetable in cooking its vivid red color on the outside, when ripped turns into yellow.
The name Ackee is derived from the West African name "Akye Fufo", in general, the tree is a tropical evergreen tree that grows as tall as 40 feet. Rich in essential fatty acids, the fruit may be colored anywhere from straw to bright red. Allowing it to open and ripen naturally will be an added benefit. The fruit splits open while still on the tree to let slip 3 dead flat black seeds encircled by a thick, oily, yellow aril. They are also rich in vitamin A, zinc, and protein.
| Nutrient | Quantity | Nutritional Value |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | 18.78g | Supplies energy. Helps to prevent hypothermia |
| Protein | 8.75g | Builds and repair body tissue. Blood health |
| Water | 57.6g | For rehydration purposes. |
| Carbohydrates | 9.55g | For energy and the building of muscles. |
| Fiber | 3.45g | For colon health. To help lower blood glucose and cholesterol. |
| Calcium | 83mg | For bone and teeth health. |
| Iron | 5.2mg | For blood health. |
| Folates | 14 µg | 3.5% |
| Thiamine (Vitamin B1) | 0.10mg | For cardiovascular and the nervous system health. |
| Niacin (of the B complex vitamins) | 3.24mg | Health of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. |
| Riboflavin(B2) | 0.18mg | Red blood cell production and aids in metabolism |
| Ascorbic Acid(Vitamin C) | 65mg |
Despite that, Ackee is a fruit; they are cooked and consumed as a vegetable and the method of using it while cooking varies significantly. It should be boiled vigorously when cooked such that the toxins are percolated into the water. The water must be discarded carefully. There’s no fault in boiling it twice, but make sure that you use salt water when you are boiling the fruit for the second time. By this means, you can make sure that the fruit is toxin-free and then you can use them for making your desired recipes.
Even after boiling, there are chances for the seeds, pods, rind and membranes to contain toxin, so remove them and discard in a place that’s out of reach for your pets and children.
