Description of jaboticab berries. Features of their growth and chemical composition. What are the useful properties of the plant. Is there a risk of abuse and what are the contraindications for use. Cooking recipes with jabotykaba. Interesting facts about berries. Jaboticaba also contains anthocyanins. They have a bactericidal and antioxidant effect, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, accumulate in the retinal tissues, increase work capacity and prevent the development of cancer.
Useful properties of jaboticaba
Jaboticaba berries have many medicinal properties. They are used in the treatment of bleeding in the respiratory tract, asthma and chronic inflammation of the tonsils. They also contain components that increase sexual function in men and tone the nervous system.
The benefits of jaboticaba and the products that contain it are due to the harmonious combination of vitamins, minerals and anthocyanins:
- Strengthening the immune system … Due to the presence of ascorbic acid, the cells of the body resist infectious and viral agents, improve overall health and mood, and normalize sleep.
- Stabilization of the gastrointestinal tract … Bloating, stool disturbances, flatulence are prevented. Metabolic processes are regulated, and the mucous membrane does not lend itself to negative effects.
- Normalization of the cardiovascular system … Prevents the development of myocarditis, atherosclerosis, varicose veins, hypo- and hypertension, arrhythmias, cardiosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Microcirculation of blood is stabilized, the walls of blood vessels become more elastic.
- Detoxifying property … Poisonous substances and toxins are actively removed from the body, the blood is purified, cholesterol plaques are knocked out of the vessels.
- Dysentery treatment … The components of jaboticaba fight Shigella bacteria, normalize body temperature and blood pressure, increase appetite, and reduce pain in the abdominal region.
- Cleansing the body … Due to the presence of anthocyanins in berries, deposits of heavy metal salts and radionuclides are removed.
- Prevention of aging processes … The condition of the skin improves, it acquires elasticity and light shine, becomes soft, wrinkles are smoothed, and the acid-base balance is stabilized.
- Fight against vitamin deficiency … Jaboticaba has a set of vital vitamins that have a positive effect on all internal processes of the body.
- Accelerating healing processes … At the cellular level, metabolism is stabilized, and wounded areas of the skin are regenerated faster.
Also, Brazilian grapes are able to raise the percentage of blood sugar, which is especially useful for hypoglycemia. In addition, the feeling of satiety is prolonged.
Harm and contraindications to the use of jaboticaba
When abused, jaboticaba, like all foods, runs the risk of harming the body. So it is necessary to constantly monitor the inclusion of exotic fruit in the diet. In addition, the berries do not tolerate long transportation. When torn off, they are stored for about three days.
Consequences of abuse of jaboticaba:
- The appearance of allergic reactions is provoked by the fact that the berries contain a lot of vitamins. Severe headaches, skin redness and small rash, excessive irritability and excitability, muscle spasms, and abscess coverage of the mucous membrane may occur.
- Stool disorders - the tone of the bladder increases, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal flatulence may occur, metabolic processes slow down.
- Deterioration of the liver and kidneys - there is a risk of intoxication and the appearance of glomerular nephritis, impaired absorption of minerals and, consequently, their deficiency in the body.
- Acute toxicosis - the skin of jaboticaba contains a lot of tannin, which can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane.
Brazilian grapes are not recommended for women during pregnancy and lactation, as there is a risk of irritation on the baby's skin and difficulties in childbirth.
Absolute contraindications to jaboticab:
- Epilepsy - due to the biologically active components of the fruit, the frequency of seizures increases.
- Diabetes mellitus - berries contain a lot of sugar, which will negatively affect the patient's well-being.
- Individual intolerance to certain chemical components - the body of people prone to allergies may not accept specific groups of vitamins from Brazilian grapes.
- Thrombophlebitis - the venous walls are weakened, which leads to the development of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
Before adding the fruit to food, it is necessary to undergo an examination and make sure whether its components will cause an allergic reaction.
Jabotykaba recipes
The exotic sweet and sour taste of jaboticaba is often used in cooking. Jelly and jam are made from berries, added to bakery products, and since after a few days they already begin to "ferment", a lot of alcoholic beverages is also produced.
There are the following recipes for jabothikaba, characterized by a spicy aroma, low calorie content and an impressive list of beneficial properties:
- Fruit smoothie … Peel and cut one banana, remove the apple from the core, squeeze out the pulp of the jabothikaba and put it in a container. Fruits are poured into 100 ml of milk and beat with a blender until foam appears. Optionally, add a pinch of cinnamon powder. The resulting smoothie satisfies thirst and hunger well.
- Home wine … 5 kilograms of jaboticaba are washed, removed from the skin and squeezed out the juice. Then, in a separate container, mix 75 grams of cloves, 100 grams of cinnamon, a teaspoon of paprika, 15 grams of chopped ginger root, 15 grams of wormwood and a tablespoon of chopped nutmeg. The spices are placed in a bag that is placed on the bottom of a glass bottle filled with Brazilian grape juice. The liquid is infused for at least 7 weeks in a cool and dark place. When the sediment is completely separated, the wine can be passed through gauze bandages and bottled.
- Truffle dessert … A kilogram of jabothikaba berries are washed, dried with paper towels and placed in a wide-bottomed bowl. Then 250 grams of dark chocolate is melted in a water bath or in the microwave, allowed to cool slightly and begin to slowly pour into the fruit, stirring constantly. 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder is used as a powder for Brazilian grapes. The resulting truffle balls are spread on edible paper and put to cool in the refrigerator. The finished dessert can be garnished with white chocolate shavings and mint leaves.
- Jaboticaba jam … One kilogram of jaboticaba berries are washed and squeezed out. Then the syrup is made. A glass of water is poured into a kilogram of sugar and put to simmer over low heat. Stir constantly so that the mixture does not burn. After the sugar has completely dissolved, Brazilian grapes are poured onto it. The ingredients are boiled for about 35-40 minutes, removed from heat 3 times for 5 minutes and the procedure is repeated again. When removed for the last time, a teaspoon of citric acid and a bag of vanilla sugar are added. The jam is considered ready when the berries become transparent. After that, the liquid is poured into sterilized jars and rolled up with lids.
- Salad with pickled onions and jabotykaba … A bunch of green onions and dill are cut into a glass jar, 2 cloves of garlic are passed through a press. Then add a glass of jaboticaba berries, black pepper and salt to taste. All this is poured with 2 teaspoons of vinegar and a tablespoon of filtered water. The jar is closed and refrigerated for a day. Next, sprinkle the pickled jaboticaba with a chopped bunch of fresh green onions. In a separate container, combine a tablespoon of vinegar and water, 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil. The resulting dressing is poured over the salad and mixed thoroughly.
- Jaboticaba cupcake … Beat 2 chicken eggs with a blender with 300 grams of sugar and gradually pour in 150 grams of butter and 100 grams of vegetable oil melted in a water bath. Then add a glass of milk, 400 grams of flour mixed with baking powder, and a tablespoon of orange zest. The dough is covered with cling film and refrigerated for 30 minutes. After that, the pulp of the jaboticaba is added to it. The ingredients are spread on an oiled baking dish, placed in an oven at 170 ° C for 35 minutes.
- Baked chicken … 4 pieces of gherkin chickens are washed, dried with paper towels and rubbed with salt and spices at their own discretion. Put lemon wedges and rosemary sprigs inside. In a separate container, combine 85 grams of soft butter and 10 grams of tarragon. This mixture is applied under the skin of the chickens and tied with thread. Spread 300 grams of bacon on the breasts and also interlace. The meat is placed in a deep oiled baking sheet and placed in the oven for 25-30 minutes at a temperature of 190 ° C. Occasionally water the chicks with a little water for juiciness. A small puncture is made to check if the dish is ready. If the skin is crispy and clear juice is released, then you can get it. The dish is decorated with jaboticaba berries cut in half and lemon wedges.
- Jaboticaba pie … A pound of jabothikaba berries are washed and the skin is peeled off. Then, in a separate container, combine 2 tablespoons of sugar, a teaspoon of starch and 4 chicken eggs. Next, add a glass of flour mixed with a teaspoon of baking powder and soda slaked with vinegar. After that, 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil are poured into the dough. Pour half of the finished mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle with the pulp of the jabothikaba. Pour 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the remaining dough, mix until a homogeneous liquid and pour into the rest of the ingredients. Top with the remaining Brazilian grapes. Bake in the oven at a temperature of 175-190 ° C for about 25 minutes. You can check the readiness of the cake with small punctures with a skewer.
Jaboticaba is added to traditional dishes from Brazil, South America and Bolivia. Berries are a common ingredient in sauces and jams.
Interesting facts about jabotykab
The name "jabotykaba" was invented by the Indian people of Tupi and is translated as "turtle place". This is due to the observations of local residents, since turtles love the fruits of this tree. Jaboticaba several millennia ago was used in traditional medicine of peoples living in South America.
Brazilian grape trees begin to bear fruit only at 10-14 years of age. But the current hybrids created in laboratories are already producing a crop for 6 years. The plant bears fruit twice a year and cannot stand temperatures below + 15 ° C.
Jaboticaba is used in the manufacture of paints due to its high percentage of tannin.
In Brazilian folk songs, her taste is often compared to the kiss of a woman, and the smooth surface of the berries is often compared to her skin.
Watch a video about jaboticab berries:
Jaboticaba berries are not distributed fresh all over the world, because they have a short shelf life and are too demanding on storage conditions.