Archive

Archive for the ‘Fruit Pictures’ Category

Practical Uses of Aronia Berries

March 5th, 2010

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

aronia berries

aronia berries

Despite their not so appetizing alias, the aronia berry, or choke berry, is actually a superfruit that is both easily accessible and practical for human consumption.  Aronia berries grow naturally in the United States but are becoming a profitable industry as well because of their health benefits.  Insects, animals, and disease are inclined to leave the fruit along, making them easy to grow, care for, and profit from.  The black chokeberry has the highest concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but red chokeberries are just as tasty.  Despite their namesake and initial bitter, dry flavor, choke berries can be consumed in a variety of ways.  In Eastern Europe, the berries are popular for wine and tea, often combining the aronia with apple to temper its bitterness.  Drying the berries and combining with white tea leaves or other dried fruit produces a unique breakfast tea.  The juice of the aronia berry is not just good for drinks, but also for syrup. Berries and chocolate are a classic dessert, and combining the two in a muffin is even better. These aronia white chocolate muffins sound delicious.  Here’s to flavorful snacks and good health!

Antioxidant Fruits, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures, Fruit Recipes, Health, Uses of Fruit , , ,

Ripe Spring Peaches Picture

March 1st, 2010
Ripe Spring Peaches

Ripe Spring Peaches

Spring is only a few weeks away, and it’s time to start thinking about the planting season ahead. This lush peaches picture inspires an informational post for anyone interested in planting peaches.

Peaches are thought to originate in China and were most likely introduced into the West by the Romans. Today peaches are enjoyed in all parts of the world and can be easily introduced into a small garden. Though farmers’ markets are excellent sources of fresh fruit in the summer, dwarf peach trees can be accommodated in the backyard. They stay small, usually within seven feet in height and require only basic care such as pruning and spraying for pests. Dwarf trees produce fruit sooner after planting than regular peach trees even though the fruits of both are the same size.

The best feature of growing a peach tree in the backyard is direct access to the fruit for canning and for delicious summer treats like peach pie, peach cobbler, and peaches and cream. A great crunchy peach cobbler recipe calls for:

  • 2 cups of sliced peaches (15 to 17 oz can)
  • 2 cups of sugar divided
  • a stick of butter sliced into pieces
  • 3/4 cup of milk
  • 3/4 cup of all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

The directions are also easy:

1. Preheat the oven to 350

2. In a 11×7 inch pan, place butter. Place the pan with the butter in the oven to melt.

3. While the butter is melting, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt (if you’re not using salted butter) in a bowl with the milk.

4. Remove the butter from the oven and pour the batter over the top, DO NOT STIR.

5. Combine remaining cup of sugar with the sliced peaches and spoon over the batter, liquid and all.

6. Bake for about 1 hour until it is golden brown, but check it around 50 min

7. Serve warm, cold, or with ice cream.

Reference: http://www.delange.org/PeachDwarf/PeachDwarf.htm

Here are some more great books with recipes for peaches:

Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures, Fruit Recipes, General, Uses of Fruit , , ,

Raspberry

January 22nd, 2010

RaspberryThe raspberry is pretty well-known across the world.  They are grown for local grocery stores and fresh food markets as well as for processing for frozen fruit, dried, pureed fruit and juice.

Because raspberries need an ample amount of sun and water to develop, they are usually a mid-summer crop, depending on where you are located in the world. 

In addition to their great taste and fun texture, raspberries as with all antioxidant fruits, have numerous health benefits.

Because of their deeper color, raspberries are near the top when compared to other fruits based on their antioxidants when it comes to their dense amounts of ellagic acid, quercetin, gallic acid, anthocyanins, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol and salicyclic. 

Raspberries have an ORAC Value of about 4900 per 100 grams, which falls under blueberries (they’re 9000 ORAC units) and above apples at 2800.

The health benefits that some have experienced with raspberries are listed below.  Please be aware that this isn’t proof that they work, but that they are known to help.

  • Reduces Inflamation
  • Helps to Eliminate Age-Related Cognitvie Decline
  • Prevents Cardiovascular Disease
  • Reduces Allergies
  • Helps to Prevent Degeneration of Eye Sight with Aging
  • Reduces Pain
  • Prevents Cancer

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry

Antioxidant Fruits, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures, Health, ORAC Value, Uses of Fruit, Where to Buy , , , ,

Antioxidant-fruits.com Celebrates 2 Years!

January 15th, 2010

If you have been a loyal Antioxidant-fruits.com reader, then you might have noticed that the site was re-launched in January with a bit of a facelift.

After much debate, we decided to move the site from SBI to Wordpress and used Ninja Blog Setup to do it.

We wanted the site to be more interactive and engaging for our readers.  We also quite enjoy this platform as it allows for us to include a lot more options than we were able to do with SBI.

So with that said, we would love for our readers to start contributing.  If you like fruit, have a fruit company or just want to learn about fruit, we are accepting guest posts.  Please do contact us and clear your topic idea for the site before you submit it.

We are also accepting fruit recipes, fruit pictures, fruit farm directory listings, travel to fruit ideas, where to buy fruit ideas and much more.

The purpose of antioxidant-fruits.com is to share information about fruit – it’s uses, availability and benefits.  Fruit is an amazing food – it looks cool, tastes great and supplies our bodies with fabulous nutrients and minerals.

Please contribute to this site in any way that you see fit!  We welcome all comments and suggestions!

Antioxidant Fruits, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Farm Directory, Fruit Pictures, Fruit Recipes, Health, Travel to Fruit, Uses of Fruit, Where to Buy

Antioxidant Fruits: Benefits, Uses and Availability

December 20th, 2009

Antioxidant Fruits:
Benefits, Uses & Availability

THIS DOMAIN AND CONTENT ARE FOR SALE, PLEASE CONTACT US IF INTERESTED

Antioxidant fruits seem to be all the rage these days.

As children, we were told to eat our fruit and vegetables. In fact, the USDA recommends 3-5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day. However, most of us don’t get that in a day or even in a week! It is very important you for you consume your serving portion of antioxidant fruits every day.

Antioxidant-Fruits.com is for those who are looking to learn more about well-known as well as exotic and unusual fruits with antioxidants and for those of you that are looking for one or more of the following:

  • Protects Cells
  • Strengthens Memory
  • Fights Cellular Mutation
  • Inhibits Platelet Aggregation and Clotting
  • Helps Digestion
  • Combats Effects of Diabetes
  • Strengthens Vision
  • Increases Mental Clarity
  • Help Prostate
  • Strengthens the Heart
  • Provides Essential Fatty Acids
  • Stabilizes Proper Cholesterol
  • Scavengers for Free Radicals
  • Strengthens Cell Membrane
  • Builds Proteins
  • Restores Antioxidant Number
  • Strengthens Nervous System
  • Provides Essential Oils
  • Fights Viruses
  • Fights Bacteria
  • Impedes NRS Free Radicals
  • Relives Inflammation
  • Helps Reduce Risk of Cancer
  • Enhances Cellular Communication
  • Strengthens Immune System

Antioxidant Fruits include:

  • Beta-carotene
  • Lutein
  • Lycopene
  • Selenium
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E

People who eat fruit rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases. Antioxidants inhibit oxidative damage. “Scientists now believe that free radicals are casual factors in nearly every known disease, from heart disease to arthritis to cancer to cataracts. In fact, free radicals are a major culprit in the aging process itself,” stated Lester Packer, Ph.D., in his article, “The Antioxidants Miracle”.

While the açaí berry is the gemstone of antioxidant fruits, this website also features other super fruits selected for their distinctive and beneficial properties. Recognizable fruits such as apricots, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, kiwi, pears, pomegranates, prunes, purple grapes, and white grapes, contain a unique blend of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants.

There are, of course, more exotic and less known fruits that accentuate the power of the açaí berry: acerola cherries, aronia berries, bilberries, camu camus, lychees, nashi pears, passion fruit, and wolfberries (Goji).

The Acerola Cherry from Brazil is used for its high content of vitamin C. There are other great forms of cherry, like Tart Cherry Juice.

The Aronia Berry, a native American bush, has been reported to contain antioxidants, polyphenols, minerals and vitamins and very high levels (over five times greater than those found in cranberries) of anthocyanins and flavonoids.

The Bilberry’s strong antioxidant fruits composition makes it an excellent free radical scavenger, which helps counteract cell damage that leads to premature aging and disease. Bilberries have been used in the treatment of menstrual cramps, alleviating ulcers, varicose veins and angina. The flavonoids found in bilberries thin the blood and prevent fragility of the capillaries.

The Camu camu is an antioxidant fruits found throughout the Amazon has the highest recorded amount of natural vitamin C known on the planet. It is a significant source of potassium and has a full complement of minerals and amino acids that can aid in the absorption of vitamin C.

The Lychee, originating in South China, is a very good source of Vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium and copper.

The Nashi Pear, originating in East Asia, is a great source of dietary fiber, and also are very high in potassium and other essential minerals.

Native to Brazil, the Passion Fruit is an antioxidant fruits that is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and iron.

Lastly, the Wolfberry, native of China, contains 19 types of amino acids and 21 trace minerals. It has more beta-carotene than carrots and nearly as much Vitamin C as oranges and protein as bee pollen.

These fruits are extremely rich in antioxidants among other essential elements. These strong antioxidants go to battle against free-radical molecules that invade the body, helping to combat premature aging and even help prevent many serious diseases.

This website looks at the benefits, uses and availability of these fruits. It not only examines individual fruits, where to get them, where to travel to find them, but also a number of recipes and various ideas on how to add them to your diet. Should you have another suggestion for this website, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Antioxidant Fruits, Antioxidant Juice, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Farm Directory, Fruit Pictures, ORAC Value, The Fruit Blog, Travel to Fruit, Uses of Fruit, Where to Buy , , , ,

Red Dragon Fruit

December 20th, 2009

Dragon Fruit by JoLiz

The Red Dragon Fruit is native to Mexico, Central and South America, and is also popularly cultivated in Southeast Asian countries.

Commonly, the fruit is known as the dragon fruit, but it more formal name is pitaya or pitahaya. As with other fruits that are grown throughout the world, the fruit has acquired different versions of its name in different countries.

  • huǒ lóng guǒ – Chinese, meaning “fire dragon fruit”
  • lóng zhū guǒ – Chinese, meaning, “dragon pearl fruit”
  • thanh long – Vietanamese, meaning, “green dragon”
  • strawberry pear
  • nanettikafruit
  • Pitahaya – Mexican
  • Pitaya roja – Central America
  • nanettikafruit
  • nanettikafruit

The red dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is red-skinned and has a white flesh. Some people get this variety confused with the Costa Rica Pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis) which is a red-skinned fruit with red flesh.

The fruit itself
The fruit weighs between 150-600 grams, sometimes it can weigh as much as 1 kilogram. The flesh of the fruit is sweet and low in caloric value. The fruit is best served chilled. Many people think of the dragon fruit as comparable to the kiwi fruit because of all the sesame seed sized crunchy black seeds found throughout the flesh of the fruit. The rind of the fruit is not eaten and if the fruit has been grown on a farm, the skin of the fruit is usually ridden with pesticides.

Dragon Fruit Tree by JoLiz

USES

The red dragon fruit is cultivated in the following areas:

  • Northern Australia
  • Hawaii
  • Israel
  • Malaysia
  • Okinawa
  • Philippines
  • Southern China
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

It has been used:

  • Converted in Juice
  • Converted in Wine
  • Used to flavor beverages
  • syrup made of the whole fruit is used to color pastries and candy
  • pulp of the fruit is used to make an alcoholic beverage
  • Flowers are steeped as tea
  • Unopened flowers can be cooked like vegetables

How to Eat Dragon Fruit

BENEFITS

:
The fruit is known to have high laxative properties and is referred to as “Débousse-to-fesse” in Mauritius (a small island in Indonesia) because of this.

The dragon fruit is a great source:

  • Vitamin C
  • fiber and minerals, particularly phosphorus and calcium
  • seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids
  • phytoalbumin antioxidants

The red dragon fruit has been known to help chronic respiratory tract aliments when eaten regularly.

  • increases excretion of heavy metal toxins
  • lowers cholesterol
  • lowers blood pressure
  • natural laxative properties
  • aids digestion
  • improve eyesight
  • prevent hypertension
  • helps to control blood glucose levels
  • treats endocrine problems

Dragon Fruit Nutrition

Values per 100 g of raw pitaya (of which 55 g are edible):

  • Water 80-90 g
  • Carbohydrates 9-14 g
  • Protein 0.15-0.5 g
  • Fat 0.1-0.6 g
  • Fiber 0.3-0.9 g
  • Ash 0.4-0.7 g
  • Calories: 35-50
  • Calcium 6–10 mg
  • Iron 0.3-0.7 mg
  • Phosphorus 16 – 36 mg
  • Carotene (Vitamin A) traces
  • Thiamine (Vitamin B1) traces
  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) traces
  • Niacin (Vitamin B3) 0.2-0.45 mg
  • Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 4–25 mg

Source: Wikipedia

Additional Dragon Fruit Resources on Antioxidant Fruits.com:

Antioxidant Fruits, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures, Health, Uses of Fruit , , ,

Rambutan Tree

December 20th, 2009

Rambutan by Alysyafiq

The Rambutan tree (Nephelium lappaceum) is a tropical tree of medium size. It is native to Southeast Asia particularly to the Malay Archipelago.

The tree is called by many names, the primary one being Rambutan. Here are some others, but there are several different vernacular names to the small indigenous communities that surround Southeast Asia.

  • ramboutan or ramboutanier in French
  • ramboetan in Dutch
  • ramboostan in India
  • shao tzu in Chinese
  • chom chom or vai thieu in Vietnam
  • ser mon, or chle sao mao to Kampucheans

The Rambutan fruit was introduced to Zanzibar and Pemba by Arab traders. It’s seeds have been spread throughout and now Rambutan is grown in the following countries:

  • Australia
  • Africa
  • Cambodia
  • Carribean Islands
  • Central America
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
  • Sri Lanka
  • Thailand
  • United States – Hawaii

The rambutan tree is an evergreen that grows from 10-20m in height. The leaves alternate between pinnate and leaflets. The flowers of the tree are small. The trees can be either male, that only produce staminate flowers (i.e., no fruit), female, that produce flowers that function as females or the hermaphroditic variety that produce mostly female flowers and a small percentage of male flowers.

Rambutan by Alysyafiq

The fruit is an oval drupe and born into a pendant type cluster. The skin of the fruit is usually red, but there are orange and yellow varieties of the skin that exist too. The fruit rambutan is incased in a spiny outer core. Once removed, a translucent watery flesh is revealed. The tree is a popular garden tree, but is also grown in rambutan orchards. It is a well-known Southeast Asian fruit, as common as apples in colder climates, and therefore readily available in the Southeast Asia part of the world.

The best rambutan is picked by the full branch rather than the individual fruits—it lasts longer and tastes better that way. The individual fruit is susceptible to rot and pests, whereas when picked as a bundle it doesn’t rot nearly as quickly.

More on the Rambutan Cultivation and Uses.

More of the scientific stuff on the Rambutan Tree (Nephelium lappaceum).

Rambutan is used as a fresh fruit but is also used in jams and jellies and is sold canned. Do you have excellent Rambutan recipes? Please share your recipe.
Because of its high fat and oil content, it is valuable in the manufacture of soap. The roots, bark and leaves are used in the production of dye and various medicines.

Antioxidant Fruits, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures, Uses of Fruit , , , ,

Pomegranit (spelled, “Pomegranate”)

December 20th, 2009

Pomeganates in Turkey by Alex Skelly

In the functional food industry, the pomegranit (pomegranate) (Photo Left are Pomeganates in Turkey by Alex Skelly) is labeled a superfruit. The fruit is between a lemon and a grapefruit in size. The shape is a rounded hexagonal, and the inside contains about 600 seeds. The seeds and the pulp that surround it, are called arils, and are edible.

Pomagranites are drought-tolerant, and grow in dry areas with either summer rainfail climates or a Mediterranean winter rainfall climate.

Pommegranate juice can be very sweet or sour. It has long been a popular pomegranate supplement in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines.

Pommegranate aril juice provides about 16% of an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement per 100ml serving. It is also a good source of vitamin B5, potassium, and antioxidant polyphenols.
The most abundant polyphenols in pomegranate juice are the hydrolysable tannins, called punicalagins, which have free-radical scavenging properties.
In laboratory research and human pilot studies, pommegranate juice was effective in reducing heart disease risk factors. Pomegranate juice has also been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure, and may have antibacterial effects against dental plaque.

The pomegranate is ideal for dieters on a restricted-calorie meal plan since it’s low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Pomegranates are available in the United States from September through December. Select fruit that is heavy for its size, with bright, fresh color, and blemish-free skin. Refrigerate whole pommegranates for up to 2 months, or store them in a cool, dark place for up to one month. Pomegranit seeds packed in an airtight container –and stored in the freezer – will keep for up to 3 months.

There are many ways to add pomegranates into your daily meal plan. You can sprinkle pomegranit seeds over salads, or desserts. Use a pommegranit extract in marinades, or as a glaze for poultry. You can eat the seeds by the handful, or sprinkle on top of waffles, pancakes, or ice cream sundaes.

The list of pomegranate supplements available for purchase is substantial. Pomegranate powder, pomegranate molasses, and pomagranite juice are just a few that are commonly found.

ANTIOXIDANT FRUITS

Antioxidant Fruits, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures, Travel to Fruit, Uses of Fruit , , , ,

Pictures of Kiwis

December 20th, 2009

Kiwi by Jacki Mroczkowski

Pictures of kiwis (Photo to left by Kiwi Fruit Picture by Jacki Mroczkowski) are always fascinating because the fruit itself is so unique from its fussy outer skin to its bright green fruit on the inside, highlighted by black speckles.

Kiwi Fruit is original to Southern China, but really made its name from its popularity in New Zealand. Kiwi is actually considered a berry. Kiwis are about the size of an egg. If you’ve ever had a kiwi fruit, you know that the fruit is soft in texture and a unique flavor. Today it is mainly grown in New Zealand, China and Italy. Kiwis are also known as Chinese gooseberry because when they first arrived in New Zealand, New Zealanders thought the fruit had a gooseberry flavor. However, the fruit has no relation to the gooseberry. They acquired the kiwi name from New Zealand in 1959– where the name “kiwi” is used as a colloquial name for New Zealanders and their national bird, the kiwi bird.

Kiwi Fruit’s Other Names:

  • Chinese Gooseberry
  • yáng táo (Sunny Peach) – Chinese Name
  • Mihou Tao (Macaque Peach) – Chinese Name
  • melonettes – 1950s term for Kiwis in the USA because of the Cold War, Americans didn’t want to call it “Chinese Gooseberry”
  • kiwifruit – name acquired in 1959 to help tariffs of berries in the export business
  • Actinidia deliciosa – good ole’ Latin version

Below there are a number of images of kiwi fruit.

Kiwi Fruit Picture
Kiwi Fruit Picture by George Holt.

Kiwi Fruit by Purplespace
Kiwi Fruit on Tree by Purplespace.

Kiwi Fruit by Purplespace
Kiwi Fruit by Purplespace.

ANTIOXIDANT FRUITS

Antioxidant Fruits, Availability of Fruit, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures, Uses of Fruit , , , ,

Picture Elderberry

December 20th, 2009

Elderberry Pic by Roger Butterfield

Picture Elderberry by Roger Butterfield

The elderberry plant produces some of the most wonderful opportunities for pictures. From blooms to berries and then jam or wine, the elderberry is an excellent candidate for photos throughout the growing and making process.

Antioxidant-fruits.com has collected the photos below from a number of people around the world. Proper credit is given to each photographer, and you can certainly visit their websites by clicking on their names.

Below you’ll find:

  • What Elderberry Bushes Look Like
  • Elderberry Photos
  • Elderberry Plant Photos
  • Photos of Elderberry Jam
  • Picture Elderberry

The elderberry plant really makes a great subject for photography, especially because of all the changes that it goes through. From flowers to berries to ripe berries – the plant offers a wide variety of colors from the flowers, to the stem to the berries.

Many people like to make jam from elderberries, whereas others prefer to make elderberry wine.

Do you have an Elderberry photo that has a great story behind it? If so, we want to hear about it! Leave a comment below!

Lovely Elderberry Plant by Mike Hitzelberger

Lovely Elderberry Plant. Photo by Mike Hitzelberger.

Elderberry Plant with Flower Clusters

American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Plant with Flower Clusters. Photo by Jim Baker.

Closeup of Elderberry Flower Head by Jim Baker

Picture Elderberry – Closeup of Elderberry Flower Head – Photographed in Southern Arkansas in late May. Photo by Jim Baker. This is a single flower cluster of an American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) shrub. This cluster was about 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter (about the size of a soccer ball). In late summer, each flowerlet will produce a purple berry.

Closeup of Elderberry Flower Head – Photographed in Southern Arkansas in late May. Photo by Jim Baker. This is a closeup of the elderberry flower cluster showing the individual 5-petal flowers. Each flower is about 5 mm in diameter and generally produces a berry.

Elderberry Flowers by John Nevius
Elderberry Flowers. Photo by John Nevius.
Elderberries Not Yet Ripe by Alaskapine

Elderberries Not Yet Ripe. Photo by Alaskapine.

Elderberries by Laura Bell

Elderberries. Photo by Laura Bell.

Elderberries by Alex Skelly

Elderberries. Photo by Alex Skelly.

Elderberries by Dianna Smith
Elderberries. Photo by Dianna Smith.

Elderberry Blossoms by Dianna Smith

Elderberry Blossoms. Photo by Dianna Smith.

Elderberries in Stewart Falls, Utah
Elderberries in Stewart Falls, Utah. Photo by Raspberrytart.

Wild Elderberries by Chuck Harkins

Wild Elderberries. Photo by Chuck Harkins.

Red Elderberry (Sambucus Racemosa) by Jake

Red Elderberry (Sambucus Racemosa). Photo by Jake.

Elderberry Cluster by Sharon Talson

Elderberry Cluster. Photo by Sharon Talson.

Elderberries on a Bush

Elderberries on a Bush – Ripe and ready for Jelly Making Time! Photo by Jim Baker.

Mosaic of Elderberries to Jelly by Jim Baker
Mosaic of Elderberries to Jelly. Photo by Jim Baker.

Freshly Made Elderberry Jelly on Biscuits
Freshly Made Elderberry Jelly on Biscuits. Photo by Jim Baker.

Residual Elderberry Jelly in Cooking Pot by Jim Baker

Residual Elderberry Jelly in Cooking Pot. Photo by Jim Baker.
ANTIOXIDANT FRUITS

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Antioxidant Fruits, Benefits of Fruit, Fruit Pictures , , ,