What is the calorie content and composition of the fruit of the strawberry tree. How useful and harmful substances of arbutus affect the body. What recipes exist with it. Arbutus perfectly invigorates, gives strength, improves mood and appetite, since it contains amino acids that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system. Its use quickly suppresses hunger.
Harm and contraindications to the use of arbutus
The fruits of the strawberry tree can cause harm to individuals with individual intolerance, with diabetes mellitus, duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcer, in childhood. It is not recommended to eat this berry on an empty stomach, before that you need to drink at least a little water. You should limit its use, even if your health is at its best, since in large quantities it provokes a severe headache. It is necessary to exclude the use of arbutus in the following cases:
- Diabetes … The berry contains glucose, which instantly raises blood sugar levels.
- Individual intolerance to the product … It practically does not occur, and those cases that do occur are mainly associated with an allergy to red berries. Most often, this problem occurs in children under the age of 7-10 years, and it manifests itself in a profuse rash all over the body, accompanied by severe itching.
- Duodenal ulcer and stomach … In this disease, fiber is strictly contraindicated, because it irritates the already damaged walls of these organs. This leads to severe abdominal pain and colic.
- Childhood … For a child at least 7 years old, it is better not to eat the fruits of this tree in any form at all. They can provoke diarrhea and allergic reactions.
There are also contraindications of arbutus to its use for heartburn, which it can only intensify. Plus, nausea is often added to this.
Arbutus recipes
The berries of the strawberry tree are actively used in cooking for the preparation of various sweets. On their basis, delicious jams, preserves, jellies, compotes, candied fruits are obtained. They can be added to yoghurts, pies, pies. They are an excellent ingredient for liqueurs. They can be canned or eaten raw. This plant is melliferous, but the honey from its flowers has a bitter taste.
When preparing arbutus, take note of the following recipes
- Candied fruit … First, wash and cut the berries into thin slices (500 g). Then prepare sugar syrup (800 g) and 600 ml water. Boil it, wait for the mixture to thicken, and dip the desired ingredient into it. Leave it on low heat for 30 minutes, then let it stand for 24 hours. Put the candied fruit on a plate in the morning.
- Jelly … Squeeze the juice from the arbutus, which you need 200 g. Boil it, add 80 g sugar and gelatin (1 tbsp. L.). After that, put the berries themselves (50 g) and leave the mass for 10 minutes on low heat, stirring regularly. Then remove the jelly from the stove, cool, pour into glasses and refrigerate for 4 hours.
- Jam … Wash and peel 3 kg of berries. Then cover them with sugar (1 kg) and leave for 2 hours. When they start using the juice, place the mixture on low heat in a large saucepan. Boil it for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. Then let it cool down. At this time, prepare the jars by washing and sterilizing them, the same should be done with the metal lids. Then fill the jars with the cooled jam and roll up. This is not necessary at all, you can just put the jam in the refrigerator and eat every day.
- Compote … Boil water (3 L) first. Then wash, peel and chop the berries (300 g). Next, prepare apples (6 pcs.) And cherry plum (150 g). Toss all of these ingredients in turn into a saucepan, at intervals of about 5 minutes, and then add sugar (5 tablespoons). Cook the compote over low heat for half an hour.
Interesting facts about the strawberry tree
Until about the 3rd century AD NS. the strawberry tree was considered a relict, excavations carried out in Jordan in the 20th century made it possible to reveal it in the ground. The works of the famous scientist from Ancient Greece Theophrastus, who mentioned these unusual fruits, can serve as evidence of its long history.
Since this shrub is widespread in Spain, it is not surprising why it is present on the coat of arms of the capital of this country, Madrid. On it, the artists depicted a bronze bear eating the fruit of a tree. Officially, arbutus is considered a shrub, but in fact it is a tree. It has fairly strong trunks and a crown. Its average height is 3 m, and its life span is 50 years. The largest harvest occurs in about 10 years of fruiting.
Among the people, another name for the tree is also common - shameless. It is given due to the fact that every year its trunk changes the bark. He is also known as a "whisper" and "health resort", the last version was introduced into everyday life by the inhabitants of the Crimea. By the way, it is in the mountains of this peninsula that the most ancient, according to biologists, shrubs grow. Presumably, they are 1000 years old. You can look at this miracle of nature on Mount Ai-Nikola, towering near Yalta.
In the 15th century, folk healers actively used an extract from bush flowers in their practice. Carpenters also took advantage of this gift of nature, who made various furniture and small items (boxes, dishes) from its trunks. The bark was used to make tapestries. Today, it is also a fairly popular product that is needed for making brown dye and tanning leather.
Arbutus is very popular in Portugal, where it is used to make delicious vodka and liqueur called Aguardente de Medroña. These drinks are national here, they are sure to treat the guests of the country. There are similar recipes in Spain too.
One legend says that the fruits of the strawberry tree are blood clots of Abel, who was killed by his own brother Cain. It is she who underlies its popular name - the Cain apple.
Watch the video about the strawberry tree:
This berry really has some incredible health benefits! Although it tastes like strawberries and looks like peaches, it simply cannot be compared to any other berry or fruit. By choosing arbutus recipes and cooking something with it, you yourself will understand why this is exactly the case!
