Cooking enthusiasts often look for variety in the kitchen so that their menu does not become boring. If you need a valuable ingredient, try it short hair. What is this fruit and what is its use in cooking? Find out why it is worth eating it.
Minikiwi (Actindia), thanks to its name, is immediately associated with its cousin, the kiwi. However, you must know that it is not the same. Minikiwi – what kind of fruit is it? It grows on Actinidia hola, which occurs naturally in Asia. Depending on the region, the fruits of the plant are called differently, including: kiwiberry, kiwibes lub baby kiwi. The harvest takes place in September and October.
Their external appearance most closely resembles a gooseberry, and their inside appearance resembles a kiwi. However, they differ from the latter in size and skin – they are much smaller (up to 10 grams) and have a smooth, edible skin. They are also sweeter and slightly more tropical than their larger cousin. Due to their nutritional value, minikiwi are considered one of the most nutritious fruits.
The plant can be grown in Poland – it is fully frost-resistant. The most popular minikiwi varieties include:
- Jumbo – an Italian variety from which some of the largest minikiwis come (fruit weighing up to 20 grams). Kiwibes are oblong, covered with green, smooth skin on the outside, and with green, very sweet flesh inside. The harvest takes place at the end of September. This variety is often bred in Poland,
- Jesse – Japanese variety of minikiwi. The fruits are large (up to 15 grams) and sweet. They are covered with green skin and are oval-oblong in shape. It is the most frequently chosen species in the world. The harvest takes place in the second half of October,
- Lucy – is a Polish variety with green-brown, smooth skin and larger sizes (fruit up to 15 grams). Inside there is slightly reddish, sweet and sour flesh. Lucy gathers in the second half of October,
- Kens Red – unlike other varieties, New Zealand Kens Red is entirely covered with smooth, red skin. Inside there is dark red flesh with black seeds. The oblong fruits are also larger, taste sweet and juicy. Ripening occurs in early October.
- Sentyabraskaya – Ukrainian variety of the plant. Its fruits are medium-sized, oval. From the outside, they are characterized by green, thin and smooth skin with a slightly wrinkled structure. The harvest takes place at the end of August.
Baby kiwi, although low in calories, is rich in vitamins and minerals. They contain over 20 different compounds with health-promoting properties. They have more vitamin C than lemon (100 g of fruit provides 70% of an adult’s daily requirement for this ingredient), which is why they have a great effect on the immune system.
The nutritional value of minikiwi can also be distinguished B vitamins and vitamin Enot without reason called the vitamin of youth and has a great impact on the youthful appearance of the skin. The fruit also contains: strong antioxidants, dietary fiber, actinidin (a proteolytic enzyme that facilitates the digestion of proteins) and numerous minerals: potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium.
Kiwibes are known around the world for their health-promoting effects. What properties does minikiwi have? Above all antioxidant – protect against the development of many lifestyle diseases, delay the body’s aging processes and reduce the effects of oxidative stress. In addition, they influence the proper functioning of the digestive system and effectively strengthen immunity. Eating fresh fruit is recommended in the treatment of colds, scurvy and periodontitis.
Actinidin improves protein digestion, and antioxidants reduce the accumulation of cholesterol. Due to the low calorie content of fruits, they can also be eaten by people on a reducing diet. Especially since dietary fiber accelerates metabolism and intestinal peristalsis. Minikiwi is a treasure trove of folic acidtherefore it is advisable to include it in the diet of pregnant women. However, the biggest advantage of minikiwi is its high content of antioxidants, which fight free radicals and help prevent cancer. It is worth including actindia in the menu to take care of the condition of the cardiovascular system
If you have never had contact with these fruits before, you are probably wondering how to eat minikiwi. Remember that most vitamins and minerals are found under the skin, so it is not worth peeling it. It is fully edible, so you don’t have to worry about stomach problems.
Ripe fruit tastes best – they can be stored in the refrigerator for about one or two weeks. Minikiwi has the most nutritional value in its raw form, but it also tastes great after heat treatment.
What to do with minikiwi? The use of this fruit in cooking is very wide. Although it is worth just eating kiwiberries as a snack, you can also cut it into oatmeal, sweet pancakes or use it to decorate creamy desserts in a cup or cakes.
If you decide to prepare mini kiwi preserves, then it is worth choosing compote, thick drinking juice, liqueur or tincture. Fruit will also be great for salads (e.g. combined with grapes).
Source: Terazgotuje.pl
