Feijoa is a slightly unusual fruit for us with a specific taste, although it is becoming increasingly popular among exotic lovers. But where does feijoa grow, is it an interesting plant of the Myrtle family? Despite the fact that it is quite frost-resistant and tolerates drought well, it still prefers a mild subtropical climate. Brazil, where feijoa grows, is the country where the hundred-year history of the cultivation of an exotic fruit began. And the name was given in honor of the famous breeder Joanie de Silva Feijo.
Where feijoa grows
Let's look into this issue in detail. Where does feijoa grow today, besides its original homeland? First of all, these are Paraguay, Uruguay, Northern Argentina, the warm countries of the Mediterranean, where it was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century. A little later, they learned about the plant in Central Asia and the Caucasus, whose climate made it possible to grow this very useful fruit. By the way, initially, because of its unique beauty during flowering, the tree was planted for decorative purposes, decorating their houses and plots. Lilac-red flowers with originalcrest look amazing and impressive. It was only later that strange-tasting fruits began to be eaten, used in medicine and cosmetology.
Where feijoa grows, the photo of which gives a visual representation of it, it is traditionally customary to eat the fruit raw. But many people have learned to make all kinds of jams, fruit salads and nutritious drinks from it, and the amazing fruit gives them a delicate aroma and special taste.
Feijoa benefits
For those who have not heard anything about feijoa, where it grows, how to eat it, what properties it has, first of all, we will talk about the benefits of the fruits of this tropical tree. The main thing is an incredible, rich composition, which includes a huge amount of coarse fiber, vitamin C, malic acid, sucrose, pectin. Interestingly, their content progressively increases as the fruit ripens.
In those countries where feijoa grows, it has long been known that it contains unique biologically active antioxidants - kakhetins and leucoanthocyanins, which help the human body fight cancer and prevent aging. This is especially true of the fruit peel, although a significant drawback is its too astringent taste, due to which most people peel the feijoa before eating. And so the benefits of green berries are unimaginably many!
For those places where feijoa grows, it has become a true find, as it is recognized as an excellent healingfruit. In particular, official medicine strongly recommends the use of ripe fruits in the treatment of iodine deficiency, atherosclerosis, gastritis and other diseases of the stomach and intestines. If prevention is required from the usual seasonal colds and acute viral diseases, then it is feijoa that will help to quickly strengthen the body's immunity. Another very important property is the absence of allergic reactions to the plant. That is why almost everyone can safely enjoy a he althy fruit. We will talk about minor exceptions a little later.
Feijoa in cosmetology
The miraculous fruit is also available to residents of the entire Russian Federation. For those who are interested in where feijoa grows in Russia, we will tell you that dense, strong bright green fruits are considered, among other things, a unique tool for maintaining beauty. After all, their core and vitamin juice restore skin turgor, tone up and relieve skin inflammation. Feijoa visibly corrects cosmetic imperfections such as rosacea.
It is useful to use a delicious fragrant fruit to prepare cleansing and nourishing masks, which are indicated at any age and for any skin type. This makes the plant a one-of-a-kind natural product.
We offer a wonderful recipe especially for those who want to rejuvenate their skin with an anti-aging mask: mix 2 tablespoons of feijoa pulp with a teaspoon of almond oil and 1 tablespoon of oatmeal soaked in chamomile broth. Apply to the skin and wash off after 20 minutes. If appliedsuch a remedy twice a week, a stunning effect will be noticeable in a month!
Harm feijoa
No wonder the feijoa is not as harmless as it seems. The obvious fact is that the feijoa fruit (where it grows, this is already known) has some contraindications - individual intolerance to the components, diabetes and obesity. The last two points are due to the high content of quickly digestible sugars in berries.
So measure is needed in everything. Fans of these exotic fruits should remember that with increased thyroid function, one should not consume too much iodine-rich feijoa. Otherwise, you can enjoy cocktails and salads made from these vitamin fruits, add them to original sauces, eat them in their natural form, as they say, to your he alth!
Feijoa calories
As for the energy value, then 100 grams of a green product accounts for only about 50 kilocalories, which is 3% of the daily requirement, and 26% of carbohydrates. Light vegetable fats and proteins are contained in equal proportions, but water - 60%. That is why, unique in its kind, feijoa is considered a real dietary fruit.
Sauces made from it in combination with meat or fish will be he althy, fragrant and tasty. By the way, you can also eat the fleshy sweet petals of the plant, which serve as an excellent spicy addition to fruit and vegetable salads.
Where feijoa grows in Russia
For those who are just getting to know the exotic feijoa guest, wherethis wonderful fruit grows in Russia and in what form it can be eaten, it will be interesting. In our climate, it also took root well: in the Krasnodar Territory, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. But this is not all places. There are other republics where feijoa grows - in Abkhazia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Adapted to somewhat unusual conditions, the plant bears fruit well on our lands. It is very convenient that the fruits ripen in November, December and January, because it is at this time that we are used to replenishing the body with vitamins to strengthen immunity and prevent colds.
You can make a very fragrant and nutritious jam from fresh feijoa berries by rubbing them with a grater along with the peel and adding sugar to taste. Citrus lovers can enrich this fruity dish with orange, lemon or lime. Jam is stored for a long time in a cold place, and in Abkhazia, on hot days, a tonic cool drink is prepared from it, just diluted with water.
Feijoa in Ukraine
Where does feijoa grow in Ukraine? In the Crimea (although now it is already Russia), this fruit is in great demand, and not only because it is a dietary product, but, first of all, because of the lack of iodine in the water. The peninsula, according to statistics, overtakes other regions in thyroid diseases, so official medicine recommends "tasting" the subtropical gift in the form of feijoa fruits and including it in your usual diet.
How to grow feijoa at home
A miniature feijoa tree can be grown at home ina large flower pot, and in four to five years it will definitely begin to bear fruit. Although the fruits on it will most likely be small, but when your friends ask about feijoa: "Where does this rare species grow?", You will proudly answer: "At my house!"
The pot can be wood, plastic or ceramic. The plant is quite enough at room temperature, and you need to take it outside only in summer to please it with fresh air and warm sunshine. If the pot is on the windowsill, in winter you need to make sure that the leaves do not touch the glass, otherwise cold burns will occur. A light-loving tree should not be placed in a dark place. In general, it is very unpretentious.
How to plant feijoa
Can I plant a feijoa myself? Where does this marvelous fruit grow in Russia? Here are some tips for beginner gardeners. It should be planted with a cutting, first pouring a layer of expanded clay into the pot, then sand (no thicker than three centimeters), and then special soil. The transplanted tree is slightly moistened. First-years, as a rule, are not branched, but their leaves are very fragile. For the growth of side shoots, the top below three leaves is pinned. A fruit tree can be propagated by seeds, from roots or cuttings.
Feijoa seeds are selected from a ripe fruit, and dried for 5 days before sowing. It is best to do this at the beginning of winter. The best option is to sow in a light mixture of peat, leaves and sand in a ratio of 2/2/1, although regular planting soil will work. Seeds are deepened half a centimeter into the mixture,buried and covered with a film or glass on top. The main thing is regular watering. When shoots appear, the film is removed.
Subtropical feijoa loves good regular watering and occasional spraying, with the exception of winter time when it does not require frequent moisture. During the vegetative period, top dressing is needed, for example, with fermented manure, alternating it with diluted mineral fertilizers. Then a strong and well-bearing tree will grow in your house for the benefit of your he alth. In winter, you can do without additional food.
Thus, anyone who wants to have a tropical tree grown with their own hands with delicious vitamin fruits can easily do this. With a little patience, and in four or five years, you will be proudly serving your loved ones he althy fruit juices and feijoa desserts, enjoying the unusual exotic taste and bright flowers on the bush.
