Fruits to eat in the monsoon
While monsoon brings out a craving for all foods
fried and tasty, there are also plenty of fruits available in the market this
season, which help fight infections and increase immunity. However, remember to
wash them well and check whether they are ripe and ready to eat
PLUM
How to select and store -Related to the peach
family, they are bright red, amber or dark purple in colour, with a dusty white
coating. Check for softness when you are buying. If you purchase plums which
are firm, you can ripen them by leaving them at room temperature, however since
they ripen quickly, make sure you check on them regularly . Ripe plums can be
stored in the refrig erator for a few days.
Best used as -Plums are best eaten as it is, but
can also be used in desserts apart from making jams, jellies and chutneys. They
can also be had baked or poached and cooked into a sauce which is used to
prepare various dishes.
Health benefits -Plums are a very good source of
vitamin C & K, copper, dietary fibre and potassium.They help relieve
constipation and absorb iron, thus preventing against anaemia. The reddish-blue
pigment anthocyanins found in plums may protect against cancer by cleaning up
free radicals.
Beauty benefits -While the antioxidants in the
fruit can act as an anti ageing skincare agent, plum juice can rejuvenate
boring and lifeless hair.
CHERRY
How to select and store -Choose ripe red
cherries which are plump with the green stem intact. Avoid cherries which are
squishy with an incision. Store them in a refrigerator.They are perishable so
it is better to consume them at the earliest.
Best used as -Cherries are used as a topping on
pastries or cocktail drinks but are best eaten plain. They can also be made
into jams, pies and tarts. The pureed cherries are made into a sauce used in
cooking.
Health benefits -High in potassium and low in
sodium, cherries are low in calories and high on antioxidants Cherries help
fight heart diseases since they lower bad cholesterol and have
anti-carcinogenic properties.They also aid in reducing high blood pressure and
lower the uric acid level too, and so are useful for those suffering from gout
and arthritis.
Beauty benefits -They slow down the ageing
process and a paste of mashed cherries on the face gives a soft feel to the
skin. Regular consumption can prevent hair fall and the vitamin A in it can
help maintain good eyesight.
PEACH
How to select and store -Choose peaches which
are rich yellowish-orange in colour.They should be firm when pressed and avoid
those which are over ripe and too soft to touch. Sniff the fuzzy fruit before
buying to check whether it has a nice aroma. If you buy them when they are
slightly hard, you can ripen them by storing them in a paper bag at room
temperature. The ripe fruit can be stored in the refrigerator too but remember
to get them back to room temperature before consumption.
Best used as -Sweet with a little tart flavour,
the aromatic peach is a ready-to-eat fruit without peeling the skin. If cut in
slices and kept out, they turn brown just like apples. They are also used in
making jams, pies, tarts, salads and cocktails.
Health benefits -With loads of vitamin A, B
carotene and vitamin C, peaches help protect the skin and improve the vision
too.Peaches are also known to have fluoride which helps prevent dental caries.
In Hungary , peach is referred to as the `Fruit of Calmness' due to its ability
to relieve stress, anxiety and achieve calmness of mind.
Beauty benefits -Peaches can make your skin look
healthy and young, so no wonder the phrase `skin as soft and creamy as a peach'
stands true. Regular use of the juice and pulp of the fruit on the skin helps
remove dead cells, acts as a moisturiser, has anti-ageing and UV protection
properties.
JAMUN
OR JAWA PLUM:
How to select and store -These oblong berries
are dark purple in colour, glossy and slightly soft to touch when ripe which is
the perfect time to buy them. Avoid blemished ones.These are best eaten as soon
as bought. If they feel a bit hard, ripen them by wrapping in paper but don't
store them for too long.
Best used as -With its sweet, sour and slightly
acidic taste, the jamuns with its light purple flesh inside are best eaten as a
fruit or in the form of juice.
Health benefits -Used in ayurvedic medicines,
jamuns are good for reducing blood sugar levels and thus effective in treating
diabetes. They are also good for treating gastric disorders and good for the
kidney and liver.
Beauty benefits -Jamuns have strong astringent
properties making the skin look healthy and fresh. The extract of the bark and
leaves of the jamun tree strengthens gums.
LITCHI:
How to select and store -Bright looking pink or
reddish brown litchis are heart or oval-shaped and come in clusters with stems
and leaves intact.Avoid those which are limp or loose and buy those that are
firm with a leathery feel to it.
Fresh litchis can stay at room temperature for
2-3 days, after which they should be packed and stored in a refrigerator. They
have a long shelf life of around 5-6 weeks when kept frozen. The reddish skin
turns brown upon refrigeration but the taste remains the same.
Best used as -To enjoy this delicacy , just peel
the skin and enjoy the juicy white pulp. They are also used to make sorbets,
fruit juices and ice creams.Litchis also find a place in some stir fry dishes
and salads.
Health benefits -With lots of dietary fibre,
litchis are high in vitamin C, B and potassium. The fibre in litchi helps keep
the digestion clean and aids in cases of acidity while vitamin C helps in
fighting the common cold. The bark, root and flowers of the fruit are boiled in
water and used as a gargle for sore throats.
Beauty benefits -Litchis are useful for weight
loss and protect the skin from UV rays. They nourish the skin by reducing acne
and skin spots.
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Seema Mattoo
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BT23JUL15
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