Description of the plant cupuasu. Calorie content and composition, nutrients in its fruits. What properties does it have on the body, contraindications. Recipes with cupuasu.
Useful properties of cupuasu
In addition to various plant antioxidants, the fruits of the plant contain many B vitamins, amino acids, and flavonoids. All of them determine the healing and nutritional properties of the fruit.
The benefits of cupuasu are as follows:
- Natural weight loss … Cupuacu has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon to increase energy, stay fit, and stay healthy for years to come. Caffeine and theobromine in its composition stimulate metabolism, thereby spending energy and losing extra pounds. Since the digestion of cupuasu leads to the formation of carnitine, the latter transports fat molecules to the mitochondria, "exchanging" them for energy. Vitamin C is directly involved in this process, so a lack of it can lead to excess fat deposition and chronic fatigue. Cupuasu also stimulates weight loss because it contains flavonoid quercetin, which helps to absorb vitamin C and maintain its adequate level. When the vitamin is deficient, the body releases the stress hormone cortisol. An excess of the latter signals the need to "store" fat, especially in the abdomen.
- Healthy skin … Cupuacu is rich in vitamins B1, B2, niacin, amino acids and essential omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which contribute to the maintenance of youthful, firm and elastic skin and the growth of strong, shiny hair.
- Improving cognitive performance … The stimulating effect of cupuasu is manifested not only in increased physical activity. Vitamins, antioxidants and other substances in its composition actively nourish the cells of the body. Thanks to this, the transmission of nerve impulses improves, the processes of memorizing and reproducing information work more efficiently.
- Good mood … Acting on the body in a complex way, the fruit of the cupuacu improves mood and soothes sleep. This is due to the intensive nutrition of tissues, complete cleansing of the intestines with fiber, the presence of organic stimulants, a natural combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates that provide a person's daily need.
- Natural analgesic … The use of cupuasu as a pain reliever was known to the ancient shamans of the Amazon, and the fruit was also used by midwives to relieve the childbirth process. Cupuasu relieves pain associated with the gastrointestinal system, it is effective for migraines and spasms.
- Reducing allergy symptoms … Cupuasu is hypoallergenic and practically does not cause rejection reactions in allergy sufferers, while calming the symptoms associated with intolerance to other products.
- Lower cholesterol levels … The active plant components of cupuasu bind cholesterol molecules and remove it from the body, preventing it from being deposited on the walls of blood vessels. This has a positive effect on the health of the body and heart in particular.
- Improved digestion … Due to its high content of dietary fiber, cupuasu normalizes digestion, helps to eliminate toxins and controls the amount of sugar that will be absorbed during the journey of food through the intestines.
- Reducing the risk of chronic disease … Rich in vitamin C, cupuacu supplies the body with all the essential macro- and microelements, protecting it from daily oxidative stress and delaying premature aging. The fruit is so rich in powerful antioxidants that scientists have isolated them in a separate class and called them theograndine. The compounds have shown great potential in killing colon cancer cells as well as counteracting free radical damage to cells. Together, phytonutrients, antioxidants and essential fatty acids activate the cardiovascular system, increase the lifespan of cells and protect against a wide variety of diseases.
Harm and contraindications to the use of cupuasu
One of the disadvantages of the cupuasu fruit is its limited availability and little study by reputable research institutes. For example, it is not known for certain how it affects the body of pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Consequences of abuse of the fruit of the cupuasu:
- Weight gain. It is still not worth getting too carried away with the pulp of the cupuasu, if you have the opportunity. The fruit is not only high in calories, contains a lot of fat and carbohydrates, but is also quite large in size. The same applies to products using this ingredient - jams, pastries, candies and sweets.
- High blood pressure. Since cupuacu contains stimulating substances that increase the heart rate, it should be used with caution by hypertensive patients and people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Absolute contraindications for cupuas:
- Allergic reactions. If you have a cocoa intolerance, then most likely you will not be able to taste the related cupuas. In any case, it's not worth experimenting.
- Diabetes. Contraindications to cupuasu are based on the fact that the fruit is rich in carbohydrates and sugar, so diabetics should also abandon such exotic things.
Cupoasu recipes
The taste of the fruit is very unusual: someone guesses chocolate and pineapple in it, others hear a pear and a banana.
Recipes with cupuasu:
- Cupuasu and Peach Smoothie … In fact, cupuasu pulp can be combined with any fruit to make a fresh vitamin drink. Bananas, pineapples, coconut milk and other fruits that grow in the tropics are best suited for taste. To make a cupuasu and peach smoothie, take them in 1: 1 proportions, for example, half a cup of chopped peach and the same amount of cupuasu pulp. Finely chop in a blender, serve, lightly sprinkle with coconut.
- Almond milk cocktail … To make a delicious fruit drink, take half a cup of cupuasu pulp, 1 banana, 150 ml of almond milk. Cut the fruits into small pieces and place them in a blender along with the liquid. Mix, add a pinch of vanilla - and the cocktail is ready.
- Cheesecake with cupuasu … The creamy pulp of the Amazonian fruit makes it especially suitable for dairy sweets and desserts, custards, mousses and flans. Prepare 1 glass of sugar, 1 can of condensed milk, 200 ml of water, 4 eggs, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 glass of cupuasu. Preheat oven to 175 ° C, caramelize sugar in a separate container and pour into a baking dish. Whisk all other products in a blender until smooth and pour over the caramel syrup. Place the mold in a large container and pour some liquid into it, creating a water bath. Place the structure carefully in a preheated oven and cook for 45 minutes, until the top is golden and the toothpick stuck in the middle comes out dry. At the same time, a water bath is needed to constantly warm up the caramel at the bottom. When the cheesecake is ready, turn it over with the caramel side up.
- Milk drink with lemongrass and cupuacu … An icy milkshake will refresh you on a hot day and give you strength for new achievements. Many traditional Brazilian cupoasu recipes include a variety of dairy products. For two servings, we need: 2 tablespoons of finely chopped lemongrass leaves, 2 cups of skim milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey, 1 cup of cupuasu pulp, ice if desired. Place the ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute. Then strain through a fine sieve. Add ice or chill in the freezer.
- Chocolate ganache from cupuasu … The taste and texture of the proposed ingredients complement each other wonderfully, allowing you to quickly create a filling for candy, icing for a cake or just a delicious pastry cream. Take: 500 ml of liquid cream, 500 g of dark chocolate, a large cupuacu fruit cut into pieces. Place the cream and the fruit portion in a saucepan and heat it in a water bath until it boils. Add the chocolate and stir to dissolve evenly. The ganache is then ready to be eaten in sauces, baked goods or other sweet dishes.
- Chocolate cake with cupuasu … This cake may taste like a truffle aroma; the recipe tries to recreate this particular product using cupuas. For 10 servings, you will need approximately: 5 eggs, 300 g of sugar, 350 g of chocolate, 200 g of butter, 150 g of flour. For the filling: 150 g cupuasu (alternatively use mango or pineapple), 150 g lemon sugar. For the mousse: 4 egg yolks and 5 whites, 100 g lemon sugar, 250 g chocolate, 200 g butter. Using a mixer, beat 5 eggs and 100 g sugar for 8 minutes until light foam. Prepare the syrup by combining 100 ml of water and 190 g of sugar and heating them for about 4 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add chopped chocolate and butter. Leave it on for 1 minute. Using a whisk, gradually add the flour to the syrup, stir until all ingredients are combined. Refrigerate, set aside for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 110 ° C. Grease the pan with oil and line with parchment paper. Pour the mixture gently and bake for about 50 minutes. Let the cake cool for 4 hours, then cut it into cubes. Next, combine the cupuasu and sugar, simmer for 15 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture turns golden brown. Now we are preparing the chocolate mousse: mix the yolks and sugar in a saucepan with a thick bottom, cook over low heat, constantly whisking with a whisk until foam forms. We soften the butter and chocolate, add the egg-sugar mixture to them. Beat the whites with a mixer until hard "peaks" are formed. We add them to melted chocolate with proteins, cool well before serving. Serve with chocolate mousse and cupuasu puree on the biscuits.
Interesting facts about cupuasu
The fruit of the plant of the same name is large enough, more like a melon in size. Its seeds are like papaya and the skin is like a protective layer of coconut. The cupuacu pulp is sweet and is used to prepare various kinds of energy drinks.
Since the fruit only grows in the rainforests of Brazil, Peru and other countries in South America, it is difficult to store and expensive to transport, so it rarely appears on the shelves outside the countries.
Cupuacu is very rich in antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients, fats and carbohydrates, and therefore is considered a complete breakfast among the local population of South America. According to traditional beliefs, the pulp of the fruit has a positive effect on the ability to conceive, as well as get rid of erectile dysfunction.
Among fans of healthy eating, recipes that include the simultaneous use of cupuacu and acai berries are widespread. It is believed that this combination significantly enhances the beneficial properties of both products and saturates the body with maximum energy.
Cupuacu has natural pain-relieving potential, but it is much more effective to chew the seeds of this fruit to relieve pain.
Cupuacu oil is a triglyceride composed of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with a low melting point (approximately 30 ° C) and a solid texture. Such properties make it possible to use it for the production of confectionery fillings, as well as cosmetics.
Watch the video about cupuasu:
The uniqueness of the cupuasu fruit can hardly be underestimated. It contains a real pantry of useful substances that can honestly be called healing. The composition of cupuasu includes a full complex of vitamins and minerals that protect the skin and hair, the cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems, strengthen the immune system, accelerate metabolism and natural weight loss. The unusual taste of the fruits will not leave anyone indifferent, and desserts with their use will be included in the favorite section for a long time. The fruit's only serious drawback is that it is hard to find outside of South America. However, the "imported product" is gradually crossing the ocean in the form of finished oils or dried billets.