Chupa-chupa

An exotic fruit with an equally exotic name chupa-chupa is practically unknown for our country, but in its homeland it enjoys enviable popularity. Another name for the chupa-chupa plant sounds scientifically like cardiac matisia (Matisia cordata).

Chupa chupa is a fruit tree that belongs to the Malvov family. In the wild, the chupa-chupa plant can be found in tropical forests in low-lying areas of camps such as Ecuador and Peru, as well as in adjacent areas of Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.

Due to human interest in chupa-chupa fruits, attempts to cultivate the plant have been observed in recent years, but they have not been crowned with success. The fact is that chupa-chupa belongs to those endemic plants that are adapted to such specific growing conditions (in particular, for chupa-chupa, this is the western part of the Amazon lowland) that cultural breeding even in very similar climatic conditions is still impossible.

In general, from the point of view of botany, chupa-chupa is a fast-growing semi-deciduous straight tree, the height of which varies from 40 to 45 meters. Specimens grown in cultural conditions hardly reached 12 meters. The leaves of the chupa-chupa plant are heart-shaped and quite long - 15-30 centimeters.

Of particular interest to humans are the chupa-chupa fruits, which are characterized by an oval shape, with a prominent bulge at the apex. Regarding the size of this tropical fruit, it can be said that with an average length of 10-1

4. 5 centimeters, its width is about 8 centimeters. Mostly fully ripened chupa-chupa fruits weigh approximately 400 grams.

The outer layer of the chupa-chupa fruit is represented by a thick velvety green-brown crust, under which is orange soft flesh. It is incredibly juicy and fragrant, sweet to taste, but extremely fibrous. In addition, several rather large seeds are also contained inside the chupa-chupa fruit - usually from two to five pieces. Long fibers depart from them, which extend through the entire fruit.

Mature chupa-chupa fruits are quite suitable for consumption - they are not only eaten fresh, but also used to produce aromatic sweet juice, which, in turn, is added to ice cream, cocktails and other drinks. However, for this purpose, it is best to choose those chupa-chupa fruits that are weak in fibrillation.

Regarding the benefits of chupa-chupa fruits for human health, it is difficult to say anything specific, since the chemical composition of this exotic fruit is not yet well understood. However, like all types of similar products, that is, fruit crops, chupa-chupa fruits are probably a source of vegetable dietary fibers that favorably affect the digestive system of the human body.