Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Chrysophyllum cainito (Star Apple)

The fruit is round shape, purple-skinned and is often green around the calyx, with a star pattern in the pulp. The flesh pulp are sweet, soft, white, milky and surrounding the 6 to 11 gelatinous, somewhat rubbery, seed cells in the center.

The leaves of the tree are greeny upside and a shimmering gold velvety underside. When seen from a distance, the underside of the leaves shines with a golden color, and hence this tree has also got a name 'golden leaf tree'.

The matured fruit can be eaten fresh; they are sweet and best served chilled. The flesh pulp is usually spooned out as to avoid the bitter tasting of the rind and skin (the skin and rind itself constituting approximately 33% of the total fruit).

Matured fruits can be kept in good condition for 3 weeks at 37.4' F to 42.8' F (3' C to 6' C)

Chrysophyllum cainito are native to Central America and the West Indies.
[image: sliced greeny variety]

Medicinal uses

Infusions of the leaf is used against diabetes and articular rheumatism. A decoction of the rind, or of the leaves, is taken as a pectoral.