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Introduction of Lucuma Fruit

            Scientific name - Pouteria lucuma

Native to Andean valleys of Peru, Lucuma- a subtropical fruit was formerly known as Lucuma obovata is now considered a member of the genus Pouteria, and given the name Pouteria lucuma. Possessing a unique flavor of maple and sweet potato, it has a dry flesh and it is highly nutritious. Touted with high levels of carotene, vitamin B3, and other B vitamins, the fruit has a bright yellow flesh that's rubbery. This super nutritious Peruvian fruit is not only temptingly sweet, but it boasts an extremely low glycemic index.

With a hard green exterior and sweet yellow fruit inside, lucuma looks just like an avocado. Slightly reminiscent to a dry egg yolk, the flesh is yellow in color and has a very small seed, sometimes without them. People who consumed the fruit has state that it strikes a chord of caramel and a sweet potato. Though it does contain a mellow sweetness, suitable for diabetes, they have a low glycemic scale.

Nutritional Value of Lucuma Fruit

The powder of the fruit Lucuma is a healthy, appetizing and low-sugar sweetener that provides 14 essential trace minerals. They are a good source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, healthy carbohydrates, and vitamins that is not limited to beta-carotene, niacin and minerals including zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Vitamins	value
Calories	329
Carbohydrates	87 grams
Fiber	2.3 grams
Protein	4 grams
Total fat	2.4 grams

Lucuma powder uses

Lucuma powder is a natural sweetener and can be mixed with all of your favorite beverages, be it smoothies, Milk shakes and even to protein drinks. Acting as a great sugar substitute, they are used as an alternative in puddings, cakes, deserts and ice cream.

Health benefits of Lucuma Fruit

The whole fruit is dried typically at a low temperature and then ground into the form of powder. This powder when added to your favorite food or beverage, it is said to deliver abundance of health benefits. Long used as a natural sweetener, it is also a flavoring agent for food items such as ice cream and they are loaded with a variety of health benefits. They are often touted as a rich source of nutrients including beta-carotene, vitamin B3, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals. It also contains protein, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.

It reduces inflammation

Boosts the immune system

Lowers blood pressure and

Protects against some form of cancer

Consuming the edible fruit is said to help in the management of diabetes and high blood pressure. Not only that, oils extracted from the nut of the fruit is said to help wound healing and they are best for treating skin disorders.

Cultivation

Generally adapted to moderately dry locations, it can bear low temperatures upto -3C. They are not tropical, however grows at temperature elevations between 9,000 and 10,000 ft (2,700-3,000 m) in the region of Peru. Seeing that, they are fairly hard tree, it is said to thrive in soils that are not so rich. Despite there are lots of variations among seedlings, these trees in Peru have been observed to bear upto 500 fruits weighing upto 1 kg each.

Storage

As far as fresh nuts are concerned, they grow moldy at room temperature in a day or two. The life of the nuts can be preserved for years to come, if you roast and store them.

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