Lucuma, mostly known only in Latin America, is one of the healthiest superfruits, according to a study conducted by the University of New Jersey (USA). Nowadays, this interesting fruit is gaining more and more popularity in Europe and the USA, among people leading a healthy lifestyle.
Lucuma (Latin name – Pouteria lucuma) is little known to the world, but very popular in Peru, Chile and Ecuador, and since ancient times. This fruit was widely cultivated in the pre-Columbian culture of Mochica, and even the conquest of America by newcomers from the Old World did not destroy the Aztec culture of consumption of this product, like most other customs of the pre-colonization culture of the natives.
Even today, locuma is very much appreciated here: for example, the “locuma” flavor of ice cream is more popular in Peru than vanilla or chocolate – even today! However, the rest of the “civilized” world knows little about the benefits – and taste – of this remarkable fruit, which can grow all over the world, in subtropical climates.
Nowadays, the “second discovery” of Turkish delight is taking place. Not only does this, without exaggeration, exotic sweetness have a specific and memorable taste (similar to caramel or toffee), it is also incredibly healthy, which will have a great future for this unusual superfruit.
We list the main beneficial properties of lucuma:
• A natural healing agent that helps the body to renew cells, and therefore quickly heals any injuries or cuts, abrasions, etc., and also cleanses and makes the skin beautiful. The locals of Peru highly valued this remedy, which has found many uses in folk medicine, and even dubbed it “Aztec gold”. • Healthy, gluten-free alternative to sugar and chemical sweeteners. Many vegans and raw foodists in the West have already tasted Turkish delight and are adding it to smoothies because its special taste compensates for the pale or unpleasant taste characteristics of some healthy, but not very pleasant foods (such as greens, wheatgrass, etc.). Lucuma has a low glycemic index and is therefore diabetic. • Turkish delight is also a rich source of 14 different vitamins and minerals (including potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus), according to a study by Chinese scientists. It is no secret that fruits and vegetables that can be purchased from us are often poor in minerals, so an additional source of these substances, and even in their natural form, is just a gift. The data from the Chinese report also indicates that the heavy metal (lead, cadmium) content of Turkish delight is very low – again, a happy contrast to a number of fruits sold in Europe. • Lucuma contains a significant amount of fiber, which makes it good for digestion. Lucuma gently cleanses the intestines, and – due to the ability to absorb sugar – prevents the possibility of type XNUMX diabetes. Lucuma also lowers total cholesterol levels.
Fresh Turkish delight can only be purchased in places of growth, because. ripe fruits are almost impossible to transport – they are very tender. Therefore, Turkish delight is dried and sold as a powder, which keeps well. Unfortunately, despite the growing popularity of locuma baked goods as a sweetener, the health benefits of this superfruit disappear when heated – it’s purely raw food!