2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Lukuma is the fruit of the evergreen tree Pouteria lucuma, which is also called lukuma and comes from the family Sapotaceae. Pouteria lucuma grows in Peru, Chile and Ecuador. It grows at altitudes from 1000 to 2400 meters.
Pouteria lucuma reaches up to fifty meters in height. The crown of the tree is dense and spherical. The leaves of Turkish delight are elliptical, leathery and dark green, reaching a length of 12 to 25 centimeters. The colors are single or 2 or three pieces. The fruits of Pouteria lucuma are oblong with rounded edges covered with delicate skin. In the beginning they are greenish in color, but as they mature they darken. The meat of the Turkish delight is dry, dark yellow to orange. Turkish delight has 2 to 4 seeds, colored in dark brown.
History of Turkish delight
Turkish delight is one of the most famous fruits in Peru and has been involved in local rituals and traditions for millennia. Turkish delight can be seen even in the local cemetery. Turkish delight is also included in the works of art of the Moche tribe. This community formed the first great civilization of Peru. According to some historians, the Moche tribe has been active since about 100 BC. up to about 900 years.
He has great achievements for his time in the field of art and architecture. Some of the works of this community are made exactly from the wood of Pouteria lucuma. Timber from the same tree was used to build the sanctuary of Pachacamak, Peru. In the 14th-15th centuries, Turkish delight was consumed intensively by the Incas along with corn, quinoa and amaranth.
Composition of Turkish delight
Chinese scientists have found that lukuma contains fourteen minerals, with a particularly high content of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium. Turkish delight is high in carotene, vitamin B3, carbohydrates, fiber and more.
Growing Turkish delight
Turkish delight It is grown mainly in the regions of Cayamarca, Ancash, Lima, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, and the cultivation of this tree is growing every year due to the extraordinary demand in Peru and the international market.
The wood prefers warm temperatures, preferably between 20 and 22 degrees. Turkish delight does not tolerate cold climates and in the presence of such would die quickly. Too high temperatures are also not to the taste of this capricious culture. The plant grows most successfully on sandy, well-drained soil, rich in nutrients and with a neutral pH.
Turkish delight needs constant irrigation, but it should not be overdone. The quality of the harvest depends a lot on the conditions under which the Turkish delight is grown. If all the requirements that Pouteria lucuma has are met, after the fourth or fifth year a tree can produce more than two hundred fruits.
Collection and storage of Turkish delight
Turkish delight cannot be stored for a very long time. When the ripe fruit weighs and falls to the ground, it is harvested immediately. It is then wrapped in straw or some similar material to keep it usable. Of course, there are longer-lasting varieties of Turkish delight on the market, but in general, the earlier the fruit is consumed after picking, the better.
Benefits of Turkish delight
Turkish delight it is not yet very popular outside of South America, which is why this exotic fruit has yet to prove its many health benefits to the world. However, several studies have already been conducted in this direction. Researchers from the State University of New Jersey believe that Turkish delight extracts support tissue regeneration and stimulate faster wound healing.
In addition, researchers have proven that the fruit is useful for keeping bones, skin and scalp in good condition. Turkish delight strengthens the functions of the immune system and the proper development of the embryo during pregnancy. Due to its rich content of minerals, Turkish delight is suitable for all people who suffer from their deficiency.
It turns out that in the past the first inhabitants of Peru used Turkish delight because of its anti-inflammatory and antifungal action. Like many other fruits, Turkish delight contains dietary fiber.
And fiber is known for its ability to cleanse the colon of accumulated waste. In addition, they lower the level of "bad" cholesterol, as they make it difficult to fully absorb certain fats and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Fiber also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Turkish delight powder
From the onion fruit can be produced and the so-called lukuma to dust. Onion powder is an excellent natural sweetener and can successfully replace sugar. It satisfies the need for sweet foods, while not harming our body (such as saccharin and aspartame). Although Turkish delight is sweet in taste, Turkish delight powder contains only two grams of natural fruit sugar for every eleven grams of carbohydrates. This natural sweetener has a low glycemic index and can also be consumed by diabetics.
Turkish delight in cooking
The dried fruits of Pouteria lucuma are most valued for their sweet aroma. It is reminiscent of a combination of caramel, maple syrup and vanilla. Turkish delight can be eaten alone, but can also be combined with various fruits in ice cream and any other desserts.
Usually, Turkish delight is most often exported in dried form in the form of powder, as its rapid maturation requires the product to be used immediately. Dried powder is also used in the production of juices, ice creams, shakes and pastries. We must not forget, however, that the beneficial properties of Turkish delight decrease when we subject the fruit to heat treatment.
Lemon ice cream with Turkish delight
Necessary products: fresh milk-2 tsp, Turkish delight-5 tbsp. (powder), sour cream-1 tsp. (bits), lemon juice-from 1 lemon
Preparation: Put the milk, cream, Turkish delight and lemon juice in a kitchen chopper. Beat all the ingredients well and put the resulting mixture in the refrigerator for a few hours to harden the ice cream.
