Ilama

The ilama or Annona diversifolia plant is a fruit tree from the Annova family. The ilama tree can reach up to 7 meters in height. The leaves of the plant have an oblong and elliptical shape. It is noteworthy that the leaves of ilam are distinguished by their pronounced aroma and, as a rule, reach a length of 15 cm. The fruits of ilam are distinguished by their complex shape.

Often the fruits of ilam reach 15 cm in length and have an oblong-round shape. The fruits of the ilam plant are eaten, which are covered with a thick and rather tough skin of pale green color. It is worth noting that the fruits of ilam are covered with natural velvety gray coating. Inside the ilam fruit is pink or white flesh, which is distinguished by its fibrous-cream consistency.

Notably, a single ilam fruit can contain up to 80 smooth seeds. Researchers believe that the homeland of the plant can be called the territory of southwestern Mexico, as well as El Salvador and Guatemala. Currently, the ilama fruit tree grows in the wild in some mountainous regions above the named states.

The ilama tree has a limited distribution range and is not found anywhere else in the world except in the above designated areas. They eat fresh flesh of ilam fruits, which, by the way, has a not so pleasant appearance as in other fruits, representatives of the genus Annon. Ilama is cultivated exclusively in Mexico, El Salvador or Guatemala. as a rule, ilam wood is grafted on a cream apple.

Two plants from the same family yield 3 or 5 years after planting the tree in the ground. It is believed that the taste of ilam fruits is inferior to other edible representatives of plants from the Annon family. However, residents of the fruit tree growing region have been eating ilam fruits for several millennia. There is even a traditional recipe for dessert with ilam fruits. The fruit pulp of the ilam is extracted from the fruit, cleaned from the seeds, added cream and lemon juice, and then served to the table.

It is worth emphasizing that despite the rather specific taste, the fruits of ilam are not inferior to their counterparts in the amount of useful compounds contained in the chemical composition of the fruits of the plant. The fruits of the plant contain a fairly large amount of B vitamins, as well as C.

In addition, the fruit is enriched with calcium, iron and potassium. Due to the content of a large amount of niacin in the fruits of ilam, the fruit has long been considered a means of traditional medicine in the treatment of atherosclerosis. In addition, eating ilam fruits regularly helps maintain safe levels of cholesterol in a person's blood.