Famous Tropical Fruits

Elephantopus scaber

2008-06-12T00:41:00.000-07:00

Scientific name : Elephantopus scaber L.
Common name : Elephant's foot / Solomon's seal
Local name : Tutup bumi / Tapak sulaiman
Family : Compositae

Introduction
Because of its leaf form which lies flat on the ground and covers more than its share of space, the Malays equate it with the pentacle seal of Solomon by which it confines the jins underground. As Solomon's seal, it is traditionally reputed to be potent for all diseases. So far, this crop has not been domesticated in Malaysia, but collected from the wild by traditional healers for preparing herbal remedies.

Plant description
These are erect, stiff, perennial herbs growing up to a height of 50cm. The leaves are mostly concentrated on the lower portion of the stem and arranged in a rosette manner. The leaves are slightly serrated, covered with white hairs, variable in shape and size, oblonged or rounded near the tip and narrower to the base. The petioles are very short and hairy. The flower heads are borne at the end of dichotomously branched pedicels, which are covered with white hairs. The flowers are numerous, sessile, closely packed forming a large flat-topped terminal inflorescence. Three green broad leaf-like bracts surround each flower cluster. The corolla lobes are violet in color while the tube is white. The corolla margin is deeply cleft on one of its side. The stamen is appendicular in nature and is arranged round the single central style. The fruits or achnes are truncate with fine ridges and surrounded with pappus of stiff bristles.

Plant habitat
These plants can be found growing wildly on roadsides, grassy fields and forest borders.

Plant growth habit/cultivation
This herb can be propagated easily through seeds. The seeds are collected by enclosing the flowers with a piece of paper. The seeds are minute and very light and therefore during sowing they are normally mixed with loose dampen soil and then sprinkled on the nursery beds. Germination success is about 70-80%.
Within two weeks of sowing, the first leaf can be seen emerging out. The plant is then transferred to the field after a period of one month or when the seedling reaches the 4-5 leaf stage. Tutup bumi is a very hardy crop and needs minimal care and fertilizing. It can also adapt itself to a wide range of conditions. It is a relatively a slow growing herb and is susceptible to only insect attacks.
Plant parts used : Whole herb, roots.

Uses in traditional medicine
The plant is primarily used as a diuretic, febrifuge and to relieve anuria and blennorrhea. Other applications include employment as an antibiotic, antiswelling agent, antipyretic, antiinflammatory, bechic and emollient. It is believed to be a good remedy for leucorrhea, anemia, and beneficial during parturition. In Malaysia, tutup bumi is taken internally as a diuretic, febrifuge and anthelmintic and applied externally as a poultice for abdominal pains and other complaints. A decoction made from the leaves or roots is used as a tonic for eliminating roundworms and treating coughs and venereal diseases. The roots and leaves are taken after childbirth as a protective medicine. A decoction made from the fresh roots and sireh is prescribed to arrest vomiting whilst the leaves are recommended for treating dropsy.

The plant is used as a diuretic and febrifuge in Indo-China, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. The roots, either pounded in water or in decoction, are used in Indonesia as a remedy for leucorrhea, anemia of women and children. In the Philippines, a decoction or infusion of the roots and leaves is used as an emollient, for treating diarrhea, dysentery, pulmonary diseases, scabies, urethral discharges and for relieving anuria and belnnorrhea. In Indo-China, a decoction made from the plant is used as diuretic, tonic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue and is taken internally for dyspepsia, intermittent fevers and menstrual irregularities.
In Chinese traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat conjunctivitis, epidemic encephalitis B, pertussis, acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, ascitis, acute and chronic hepatitis, ferunculosis and eczema. The Taiwanese use the root to relieve chest pains.

In India, a decoction of the root is given for urethral discharges, diarrhea, dysentery, dysuria and as a cardiac-tonic. In Ceylon, paste prepared from the tutup bumi leaves, water and honey is used for treating septic nails and wounds caused by bites of wild animals.

In Madagascar, it is considered a diuretic and febrifuge and in the West Indies as a tonic, diaphoretic and emmenagogue and given for dyspepsia, intermittent fevers and menstrual derangements. The plant is traditionally used in Brazil to eliminate bladder stones.

Chemical constituents
i) Chemicals with commercial potential: Deoxyelephantopin, molephantinin, phantomolin.
ii) Other chemicals: p-amyrin acetate, crepiside E. deacylcynaropicrin, 11,13-dihydrodeoxy-elephantopin, dihydroelephantopin, elephantin, elephantopin, epifriedelanol, glucozaluzanin-C, isodeoxyelephantopin, lupeol, lupeol acetate, molephantin, nudaphantin, stigmasterol, stigmasteryl 3-p-glucopyranoside.

Pharmacology
This herb is reported to have antibacterial activity. Aqueous extract of Elephantopus scaber improves hepatic lesions caused by p-D-galactosamine (D-GalN)- and acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute hepatic damage in rats. In another study, it was found that hepatic fatty metamorphosis and necrosis of central lobules were significantly improved after treatment with tutup bumi extracts.

Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of tutup bumi, at 0.3-6g/kg i.p. administration, induced writhing, loss of muscle tone, ataxia, prostration and death in mice. However, no analgesic effects of these extracts were detected using mouse hot-plate and acetic acid-induced writhing tests. Both extracts also failed to modify diuresis or carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. Brewer's yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats was reduced by extracts given at a dose of lOOmg/kg i.p., but there was no effect after oral administration (300 or 600mg/kg). Moreover, the aqueous extract decreased the intestinal transit time in mice while the hydroalcoholic extract increased it. Tutup bumi extracts at 25-100mg/kg (i.v.) reduced blood pressure and heart rates in rats.
Tutup bumi exhibited considerable antibacterial activity (MIC=7.8-23.4mg/ml) against cariogenic bacterium and Streptococcus mutans. An extract of the tutup bumi leaves also showed antibiotic activity (1/5) against Staphylococcus.
Clinical trials : No information available.

Towards commercial production
Although the health benefits of tutup bumi are tremendous, there has been very little attempt to commercialize its product. A few herbal products such as Shanggan Tablets, derived from tutup bumi is now available in China and in some Chinese traditional medicine stores in Southeast Asia where it is marketed as a Chinese Patent Medicine. Locally, their use is restricted to the traditional healers in preparing local 'jamus'.

Name of Exotic Fruits in Malaysia

2008-06-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

Abiu
Acerola
Apples (Cameronian)
Assam Gelugor
Assam Jawa
Atemoya
Avocado
Bacang
Bael
Bananas Assorted
Belimbing Buluh
Betelnut (Gold/Red)
Binjai
Brazilian Longan
Breadnut
Buddha's Finger
Bunya Pine
Butterfruit
Canistel
Canon Ball
Carambola
Cashew Nut
Cempedak Assorted
Cerapu
Cermai
Cherimoya
Chestnut
Ciku
Cocoa (Gold/Red)
Coconut Assorted
Coffee
Custard Apple
Dabai
Delicious Monster
Dragon Fruit Assorted
Duku Langsat/Duku/Langsat
Dukung
Durians Assorted
Elephant Fruit
Feijoa (Figgua)
Fig Assorted
Grapes
Ground Cherry
Guamo
Hog Plum
Ice Cream Bean
Indian Jujube
Isau
Jaboticaba (Brazilian Grape)
Jackfruit
Jambu Air Assorted
Jambu Ara
Jambu Batu Assorted
Jambu Bol
Jambu Mawar
Jambulana (Keriang Besar)
Jentik
Jering
Kana (Wild Olive)
Kandis
Kasai
Kecapi
Kembang Semangkuk
Keranji
Keraunda
Krekup
Kuini
Kumquat
Kundangan
Lemba-Keladi
Lemba-Pinang
Lemon
Limau Kukur
Local Orange
Lye Chee
Macadamia
Mandarin Orange
Mango Assorted
Mangosteen
Mata Kucing Siam
Melaka
Melinjau
Mertajam
Miracle Fruit
Mulberry Assorted
Musk Lime
Muyu Nam Nam
Nangka Assorted
Nutmeg
Oil Palm
Papaya
Parmentiera
Passion Fruit
Peaches
Pear
Pecan Nut
Pedalai
Perah
Persimmon
Petai Padi
Phee Phar/Loquat
Pheng Phok
Pineapple Assorted
Pomegranate
Pomelo
Prickly Pear
Pulasan
Putat
Rambai Assorted
Rambutan Assorted
Rekam
Remia
Rokam
Salak
Sapucaia Nut
Sentul
Skyfruit
Sour Sop
Star Apple (Durian Deli)
Sugar Apple
Sukun
Tampang
Tampoi
Terap
Terengganu Cherry
Timun Betik
Totomo
West Indian Cherry
West Indian Cherry

Pineapple Varieties

2008-06-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

Pineapple, Ananas comosus, originated in South America and is a member of the Bromeliaceae family. Cultivated pineapple still possesses several characteristic features of this family:

• the root system is extremely fragileand the plant prefers light, well-tilledsoils;
• it tolerates very dry spells by stronglyreducing its growth but does not die;
• the leaf base is the most effective zonefor the uptake of nutrients and the plantresponds well to leaf fertilisers;
• flowering, induced by low temperaturesand short days, is erratic. This leads tothe most noteworthy feature ofpineapple growing—artificially inducedflowering.

Growers can thus more or less closely control harvest dates and yields as fruit weight depends on the size of the plant when flowering is induced. Fruits quality is determined mainly by the sugar content and acidity and varies considerably according to weather conditions and the fertiliser applied. Schematically, nitrogen nutrition determines weight and potassium nutrition determines quality. The pineapple is in fact a compound fruit with very heterogeneous features as the base is always at a more developed stage than the upper part. Pineapple is not a climacteric fruit and post-harvest evolution consists mainly of a gradual loss of its qualities. This loss should be kept to a minimum in the packing and transport chain when the fruit is sold fresh. Transport and marketing should be fast with no break in the cold chain. Fruits for processing should be handled as quickly as possible.

'Smooth Cayenne' was for a long time practically the only variety exported fresh and canned. The Hawaiian hybrid 'MD-2' took over its position on the fresh pineapple market, mainly as a result of its extraordinary capacity for withstanding cold and transport. The robustness of this fruit after harvesting was hitherto unknown and is opening up new prospects in the breeding of new varieties by hybridisation. Other varieties with good taste qualities are preferred on domestic markets but do not keep at all well: 'Perola' in Brazil and 'Queen' in Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Honey Gold

Fruit shape: cylindrical or slightly
conical
Fruit colour: dark green
becoming yellow
Fruit eye diameter:
medium
Fruit eye profile: flat
Flesh colour: yellow
Flesh firmness: medium
Flesh texture: smooth
Weight without crown:
900 g
Height without crown:
151 mm
Diameter: 102 mm
°Brix : between 14.4
and 18.8
Acidity (meq%ml):
between 6.7 and 13.3
Sugar/acid ratio:
between 1.65 and 2.14
Flesh maturity
homogeneity from the bottom to the
top: with a slight gradient
Agronomic potential: moderate
yielding. More slow growing than
Smooth Cayenne
Susceptibility: susceptible to core rot,
susceptible to Phytophthora,
susceptible to soil pests
Post-harvest potential: good,
susceptible to internal browning
Observations: very aromatic,
refreshing taste, long shelf life, very
attractive shell

Tropical Fruits Photos

2007-09-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Below a few type type of variety fruits in Tropical photos.

Who's anybody got a nice photos, please share with me and send to

ciksuu@hotmail.com

Jambu Batu

2007-05-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

Jambu Batu

Jambu batu ialah sejenis buah-buahan yang banyak terdapat di negara yang beriklim tropikal. Ia terbahagi kepada dua jenis yang mudah di kesan secara mata kasar. Pertama ialah jenis isinya bewarna merah. Kedua, jenis isinya bewarna putin.

Biasanya jenis isi yang bewarna putih lebih digemari dari isi yang bewarna merah. Dari segiu warnaya apabila di potong, warna merah lebih menarik dari warna putih.

Cara pembiakan

Biasanya yang jenis warna merah, penyebaran dan pembiakan di lakukan lakuakn oleh burung-burung yang beterbangan dengan cara burung mebuang najisnya semasa ia terbang. Biasanya najis burung ini akan keluar bersama dengan biji-biji yang telah dimakan oleh burung.

Kebanyakan burung lebih gemar buah jambu yang bewarna merah daripada warna puitih. Oleh sebab itulah pembiakan yang bewqarna merah ini biasanya dilakukan oleh haiwan-haiwan seperti burung.

Papaya

2007-05-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

Papaya

Taxonomy and morphology

Papaya, botanical name Carica papaya, belongs to the Caricaceae, a family mainly inhabiting South and Central America; it is the only species of economic importance in the family. It is a small, normally unbranched quick-growing soft-wooded tree - 'almost an herb' says Chandler (1958) - with latex vessels in all parts. The British call it 'papaw' or 'pawpaw', in Brazil it is known as 'mamao' and in Spanish it is called 'papaya' or 'Iechosa' (Venezuela), but in Cuba (where papaya is a term of abuse) the name is 'fruta bomba'.

The stem is hollow between the nodes, except in young plants; it mainly consists of wood parenchyma and bears large triangular scars. The peltate leaves are arranged in a 2/5 spiral; they have long hollow petioles and large, deeply-lobed blades. The plant is dioecious, but hermaphrodite (bisexual) flowers and trees also occur. The female flowers, 3-5 em long, sit alone or in small groups in the leafaxils; the ovary is 2-3 cm long and has five fan-shaped stigmas on top. The male flowers, with ten stamens each, are found on long hanging panicles. Bisexual flowers have either five or ten stamens and some of these tend to become 'carpelloid' (fruit-like), in which case the fruits have a 'catface' appearance and are unmarketable. Different types of hermaphrodite flowers may occur on the same tree, depending on the season, or on the age of the tree.

Male trees are also variable: sometimes a fruit is found at the end of a long panicle. A complete change of sex may take place when an old male tree is cut back: sprouts bearing female flowers (and later fruits) may appear. There is a difference between pure males and sex-reverting males (Teaotia and Singh, 1967). How pollination takes place is not known with certainty; wind is probably the main agent, as the pollen is light and abundant, but thrips and moths may assist (Purse glove , 1968).

Taxonomy and morphology
Fig. 10.1 Stem, leaves and flowers of a hermaphrodite papaya
The fruit is a large, fleshy, hollow berry . Fruits formed from female flowers are oblong to nearly spherical, but if formed from bisexual flowers they are pear-shaped, cylindrical or grooved. Marketable fruits weigh from 0.5 to 2 kg and are 10-20 em long. The thin green skin turns yellow at the bottom when maturity

Male tree with hanging inflorescences sets in. The flesh is yellow to orange, in some cvs reddish, and has a pleasant flavour. Around the cavity lie a thousand or more black seeds, but seedless fruits occur too. Twenty air-dried seeds weigh about one gram.

The root system is said to be extensive and dense (Malan, 1953) or shallow (Kasasian, 1971). Actually, one may expect a deep and well developed root system on good soil, whereas the roots will stay near the surface on a wet or compact soil.

Uses and composition
Papaya is a popular breakfast food in the tropics and is recently being sold regularly on markets of temperate countries. It is also used for fruit salads and desserts. The fruit contains about 85 per cent water, 10-13 per cent sugar, 0.6 per cent protein, much vitamin A and fair amounts of vitamins B1, B2 and C; it contains practically no starch. It is considered to have a mild laxative action and the seeds are used medicinally against worms.

Processed papaya fruit has a neutral taste that is greatly improved by the addition of passion fruit juice to make soft drinks, jams and various preserves. Unripe fruit can be fermented into 'sauerkraut' or cooked as a substitute for apple sauce. From the latex of scratched unripe fruits, papain is prepared; this is used as a tenderizer for meat and for medical and industrial purposes (Foyet, 1972).

Origin, distribution and production
Papaya is native to tropical America and has never been found wild. It probably originated in Central America, thousands of years ago. From there it spread to South America and the West Indian islands; it was taken to the Philippines by the Spaniards and later reached other regions of South-East Asia and Africa. It is now present in every tropical and subtropical country.
There is a sizeable export to the continental United States from Hawaii and Mexico. The import into Europe is growing but has not yet attained a large volume. The Netherlands, for instance, imported only 30 tonnes in 1977 and 73 tonnes in 1982, mainly from Brazil.

Until recently, Tanzania was the main producer of papain and the chief importer is the United States.

Growth and development
Under optimum conditions the growth and development of papaya proceed at a fast rate. Seeds germinate in two weeks and from then on two leaves emerge each week. Flowers and fruits are produced in the leafaxils after a juvenile period. How long this period lasts, depends on the cultivar; for instance cv. Betty begins to flower at the node 24, 'Solo' at number 49 and their hybrid at node 32. Were fruits to set in all axils, one could expect a yield of 100 fruits a year (Storey, 1969). At an average weight of 0.5 kg and a density of 2,000, this would result in a production of 100 tonnes/ha/year. However, half this amount is already a respectable figure.

The tree remains in prime condition for two or three years, but its economic life comes to an end when the fruits are hanging so high that they cannot be picked profitably. A small farmer may cut back such a tree, after which some branches will sprout and bear fruit for some time yet; however, this practice is not recommended for orchards. It takes four to six months, depending on climate, for fruit to mature. Sex in papaya is determined by three genetic factors: Mj is dominant for maleness, M2 is dominant for hermaphroditism and m is recessive, for femaleness. Each ovule or pollen grain, being haploid, can carry only one of these factors. The diploid zygotes carrying two sex factors with capital letters cannot live; thus, the combinations MjMl, M2M2 and M1M2 are eliminated. Of the remaining ones Mjm are male trees, M2m hermaphrodites and mm females. If we cross a female with a male we get mm x Mjm with the result mm + Mjm: half the seeds will produce female trees, half male trees. Similarly the other crosses give predictable issues . With open, i.e. uncontrolled, pollination a cultivar will lose its identity in a few generations. The sex of a young papaya seedling cannot be predicted; one has to wait until flowers appear. All methods to separate male from female plants at an early stage have failed so far.

Ecology and physiology
Papaya is grown in the tropics up to an elevation of about 1500 m and in the frostless subtropics, from approximately 32° North to 32° South. The minimum temperature for survival is -1°C, lower temperatures kill the tree. Chandler (1958) puts the maximum at 44°C and Anon. (1982) states that optimal temperatures are between 25 °C and 38°C. No mention is made in literature of the minimum temperature for growth; we assume it to be 15 0C. Lassoudiere (1968-9) states that 22 °C-26 °C is probably optimal for growth, whereas 35°C by day and 26°C at night gave the fastest germination; daylength had no effect. Best quality fruit, which is determined largely by sugar content, develops under full sunlight in the final four to five days to full ripeness on the tree (Storey, 1972). As fruit is harvested almost every week, the tree always needs full sunlight.

Storey stipulates an annual rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm and Anon. (1982) puts this at an evenly distributed 1,500-2,000 mm (Venezuela). Terra (1949) found best growth of papaya on Java with more than 100 mm rain for every month. The potential evapotranspiration has been determined at 1.3 times the class-A pan evaporation (Anon. 1981a). Irrigation must be provided in climates with a long dry season.
In South Africa papaws of best quality are usually grown in areas low in air humidity (Malan, 1953). On the other hand, it has been claimed (Anon. 1982) that relative air humidity should be at least 60 per cent. It seems likely that the sugar content of the fruit, one of the best marks of quality, will be higher at low humidity. It is probably correct to say that good papayas can be grown under diverging conditions of air humidity, as long as irrigation facilities are available.
A delicate tree like papaya must be protected against strong wind; therefore, windbreaks must be established a year or more before the orchard is planted.
Like banana, papaya needs good soil: a well-drained, permeable, well-aerated, fertile loamy soil, preferably rich in organic matter, with neutral reaction (pH 6-7) should be chosen, if possible on flat land. Trees in water-logged soil will die by drowning in three or four days (Storey, 1972). As Popenoe (1920) stated: 'papaya is one of the most insistent plants in the matter of drainage'.

Cultivars
It is, perhaps, incorrect to speak of cultivars in a crop that is almost entirely propagated by seed. However, in some papaya strains the type is retained by inbreeding and we may regard them as cultivars. Storey (1969) quotes as examples: 'Solo' of Hawaii, possibly 'Hortus Gold' of South Africa, 'Improved Petersen' of Australia and 'Betty' of Florida. 'Solo' was then in its 25th generation of inbreeding since its introduction from Barbados in 1910.
Several improved 'Solo' lines were selected after prolonged selfing, e.g. 'Solo 5' (1948), 'Solo 8' (1953) and 'Solo 10'. All are hermaphrodites (bisexuals) with a pear-shaped fruit that weighs about 400 g; 'Solo 8' has a high sugar content. They were crossed with 'Betty', a dioecious dwarf cv. from Florida, to induce early bearing. After backcrossing and selfing during many generations 'Sunrise' resulted, a red-fleshed type with the desirable 'Solo' flavour (Hamilton and Ito, 1968).
Later work produced 'Waimanalo', an early flowering, vigorous grower with short internodes and short-necked fruits with firm flesh, excellent texture, high sugar content and a low cavity percentage (Nakasone et at. 1972). 'Waimanalo' is well accepted locally for its
fruit quality, but the fruit is considered too large for export - the normal weight in Hawaii being 450 g.
Two new cvs, 'Higgins' and 'Wilder', were introduced in 1974 after tests on different soil types and rainfall regimes of the four main islands of Hawaii. 'Higgins' performed well in the high rainfall area and 'Wilder' was good in all other areas (Nakasone, 1974).
'Hortus Gold' is dioecious, but only seed from hand-pollinated fruits is used for propagation. It has a golden colour, remains firm and weighs 1.5-2 kg (Malan, 1953). 'Coorg Honey', 'Co. l' and 'Co. 2' are the best cvs of India. In Indonesia 'Semangka' has big red-fleshed fruits and 'Filipino' (see Fig. 10.3) has practically unlobed leaves. Cv. 'Thailand' is popular in East Java (see Fig. 10.5). The bisexual 'Guinea Gold' and the dioecious 'Sunnybank' and 'Hybrid 5' are grown successfully in Queensland, Australia (Agnew, 1968).
Bharath (1969) in Trinidad mentions: 'Santa Cruz Giant', a hermaphrodite with fruit weighing over 5 kg; 'Cedros' which is dioecious and resistant to anthracnose with fruit weighing 3 kg; 'Singapore Pink', a hermaphrodite, very sensitive to anthracnose, that bears fruits weighing 2 kg. 'Pusa 1-15' is an outstanding Indian cv. with high yield, good quality and 13 per cent sugar (Ram, 1981). Anon. (1982) reports good performance of cvs Maradol roja, Cubana and Paraguanera in Venezuela. Local selections in Surinam were crossed with Hawaiian lines; results of this research are summarized in Table 10.3. A potential yield of 100 tonnes/ha was calculated for cvs Santo 3 and 4, but actual yield came to 60 tonnesjha (Soerodimedjo, 1978).

The improvement of cvs aims at: high yield, good flesh texture, high sugar content, intermediate fruit size, small fruit cavity, uniformity and resistance to pests and diseases (Yee, 1970); to this low-bearing habit could be added.

Knowing About Tropical Fruits

2006-10-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

Novice

Tropical Fruits

INTRODUCTION TO NOVICE

Malaysian has long been the site of tropical and research by MARDI, Jabatan Pertanian to develop agriculture technology in all aspect from seed till planting. During a few years there has been a major increase in the area planted to specialty tropical fruits in Malaysian such as Durian, Rambutan, Mangoo and a few other fruits.
Production increases have been accompanied by well developed marketing programs, particularly by the major tropical fruit packing houses, and by very favorable coverage by the news media. While these changes seem dramatic to those who have recently begun to watch this industry, it is well to view tropical fruit production in Malaysian from a historical perspective. Present plantings of mangos, which are slightly lower than they have been in the past.

Tropical Fruits

Malaysian Fruits

2006-10-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Delicious Fruits

Most of tropical fruits are listed here is from Malaysia. I know most of you already taken and know about Malaysian Fruits. It's very delicious. It contains a lot of vitamin which is better for our body.

Most of these fruits we can eaten fresh after we open their skin. We also can make juice with add a little bit of sugar to make better taste. Some of fruits also we can processes to become a jam.

Delicious Fruits

NUTMEG (Myristica Fragrans)

2006-09-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

TROPICAL FRUITS

NUTMEG (Myristica Fragrans)

The nutmeg or, as is known locally, buah pala is grown mainly in Penang. The fruits introduced to Penang in the early 1800’s from the Moluccas by spice trade. It is a bushy tree reaching 9 meters in height. The plant is usually propagated from seed and is planted at a recommended distance is about 125 plants per hectare. The tree will bear fruits between 5 to 6 years after planting. And the fruits can be harvested six months after flowering. However, in order to have a more matured fruit and to have the seed well formed the fruit is normally harvested nine months after flowering. The nutmeg seed is mainly used as a spice for flowering in foods and in the manufacture perfumes, soaps, hair tonics and even dentifrices. The oil from the seed is also used for medicinal purpose particularly as an external application for ill s such as indigestion. In Penang, the fleshy pericarp of the fruit is normally pickled and sweetened and sold as a titbit. A good tree produces about 1,500 to 2,000 fruits a year. However, the yields depends on the age of the tree with the tree with the yield reaching up to as much as 8,000 kilograms per hectare when the tree reaches 40.

How to Eat

Wash the whole fruits. Cut them into two halves and remove the seeds or stones. The meat or the endocarp are then soak in 1% citric acid solution for 24 hours. Remove the acid solution and wash them with plain water. Then soak them in a 10% salt solution (with 700 ppm of sodium metabilsulphate). Peel of the outer skin of the pericap. Soak the white fleshy pericap into 0.4%$ brix to 50% brix sugar solution for one week before they can be eaten.

The stones of seeds are normally dried and used as spices in small quantities. The net-like covering surrounding the stones is also dried for use as spices.

TROPICAL FRUITS

CASHEW (Anarcardium Occidentale)

2006-09-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

TROPICAL FRUITS

CASHEW (Anarcardium Occidentale)

Cashew, known locally as gajus, jambu monyet or jambu golok is a fast growing evergreen perennial which commonly grows to 10 meter in height. It has been in Malaysia since 1973. The more than 90% of the crop is normally planted on marginal land and bris soil especially in the east coast of Penisular Malaysia. There are two types of cashew; C11 and F2070 for commercial planting.

The planting practice normally begins with the high density cultivation of 185 trees per hectare (6 meters by 9 meters recommended planting distance) by cutting down alternate trees to avoid overcrowding and reduction in the size of the nuts.

The cashew tree takes about 4 years to reach maturity. Maximum yield can be obtained when the tree is about 8 years old and will continue to have a minimum life span for a further 12 years. The estimated production is around an average of 2,200 kg per hectare in one season.

The seed of the cashew has a more important economic value compare to the flesh of the fruit. The color of the mature seed is between grey and brown of mixture of these colors. It varies in the size, shape and weight. The quality of the cashew nut shell oil. Normally, cashew nut contains about 20% oil in the shell.

The flesh of the cashew fruit is normally used for making jam, jelly and syrup. The cashew nut shell liquid as a major nature source of phenols. The fruit is therefore a versatile and valuable raw material.

How to Eat

Only the nuts that are attached to the cashew fruit are normally eaten. The nuts must normally be cooked before they can be eaten.

To do this, separate the nuts from the rest of the fruit, wash the nuts to remove dirt and other impurities. Steam them in the autoclave for 30 – 60 minutes. Let them cool. Then, break off the shells to get the fresh kernels. The kernel can be eaten as they are or are further fried.

However, processed cashew nuts are normally available in the market. It is more convenient to buy them off the shelves.

TROPICAL FRUITS

CASHEW (Anarcardium Occidentale)

2006-09-22T01:06:00.000-07:00

RAMBUTAN (Nephelium Lappaceum)

2006-09-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

TROPICAL FRUITS

RAMBUTAN (Nephelium Lappaceum)

The rambutan is a local fruit which is popular throughout the Asian region. Rambutans are usually consumed fresh fruit can kept for more than one month under cold temperature (5 degree Celsius). The recommended planting distance is 9 meters x 9 meters. The tree is fairly large, usually reaching height of 10 – 12 meters with a canopy of 6 meters in width. The rambutan tree starts fruiting three years after planting. The fruit ripens 15 – 18 weeks after flowering. The time of harvest is when most of the fruits of a bunch turn from green to red or yellow.

How to Eat

The rind of the ripe rambutan fruit can be peeled off by using both thumbs. This is done by pressing both thumbs at the center of the fruit and then removing the ring. In most of the new clones, the flesh is easily separable from the pip of seed.

Processed from found in the market:
- jam, rambutan syrup, juice.

Local uses:
- rambutan cake, pickles, jam

TROPICAL FRUITS

POMELO (Citrus Grandis)

2006-09-20T01:34:00.000-07:00

TROPICAL FRUITS

POMELO (Citrus Grandis)

The pomelo is locally known as limau bali, limau tanbun, liamu abong, limau betawi or limau besar. It is the largest of the citrus family. The ripe fruit is large, about 10 – 30 cm in diameter and weighs more than one kilogram. The recommended planting distance for the pomelo tree is 9 meters x 9 meters. The tree can grow up to 15 meters in height. In Peninsular Malaysia, pomelo is grown mainly in the Tambun district in the state of Perak. The main harvesting seasons are February and September. A marcotted pomelo tree bears fruit three years after planting. The fruit when set is normally wrapped with paper to avoid damag by Dacus. The fruit takes about 6 months to ripe from the setting. The fruit is mature when the color of the skin changes from green to yellowish and the skin is smooth. Maximum yield can be obtained when the tree is about 8 – 10 years. The average yield is 20 tonnes per hectare and its economic life is 20 years.

How to Eat

Hold the fruit with one hand. Cut the outer skin vertically from the top to the bottom. Make a few such cuts then peel the skin, leaving the thin inner skin covering the flesh. The flesh can be eaten with or without the thin inner skin. Pomelos are always consumed in the fresh form.

TROPICAL FRUITS

MANGOSTEEN (Garcinia Mangostana)

2006-09-19T03:05:00.000-07:00

MANGOSTEEN (Garcinia Mangostana)

The mangosteen, known as the queen of tropical fruits, is native to Malaysia and has great potential of commercialisation and export. The mature tree is 10 – 25 meter tall and is one of the slowest growing trees. While seedling may fruits within 6 – 8 years, such fruiting may not happen until the 15th to 20th year if it is grown under suboptimal conditions. The recommended planting distance is 10 meters x 10 meters, and it is advisable to intercrop with short term crops.

An average yield is 200 – 500 fruits per tree per season but in a good season, yields may reach 2,000 fruits. The color of the fruit changes from green to greenish purple and finally to dark purple when it is ripe. The fruits are usually harvested singly with a bamboo pole, one end of which is split and widened to form nest-like structure. This enables each fruit to be securely placed in the nest preventing it from falling to the ground and being damage.

How to Eat

The mangosteenhas a thick outer rind but a soft flesh when it is ripe. The ripe mangosteen can be opened by pressing the fruit with both hands until the skin cracks. The skin is then easy to open and contents can be eaten fresh. It can also be made into jam.

Other way to easy open the mangosteen skin, use a sharp knife. Cut around the skin and then just open it. It’s easier than pressing by hands and the flesh also look better.

MANGO (Mangifera Indica)

2006-09-18T03:25:00.000-07:00

Tropical Fruits

MANGO (Mangifera Indica)

The mango is native seasonal fruit found especially in tropical and semi tropical countries. Reports show that the number of farmers who are engage in planting mangoes is increasing. Many types of high quality mangoes suitable for commercial cultivation have already been introduced to Malaysia. There are at least 15 species of Mangifera ifn Peninsular Malaysia and they include mango, kuini, bacang, binjai, lanjut, rawa and asam kumbang. The mango tree is of medium size. Its planting distance depends on the species of the mango. There are many variations in the size, structure, taste and the color depend on the clones. The mango fruit takes 15 – 20 weeks to ripe. They are harvested with a knife or bamboo pole when there is a change in the color of the skin from green to light yellow.

How to Eat

Due to eat sweet and sourish taste, mango fruits are usually eaten fresh. The skin of the ripe mango is peeled off from the top to the bottom using a sharp knife. After the skin is peeled off, the fruit is sliced into pieces (from top to bottom). The fruit can be eaten or refrigerated to preserve its freshness.

Processed from found in the market:
- juice, preserved mango (wet/dry), jam, sweet meat.

Local uses:
- mango chutney, sweet meat, pudding, pickles.

Tropical Fruits

LIMAU LANGKAT (Citrus Reticulata)

2006-09-18T03:05:00.000-07:00

Tropical Fruits

LIMAU LANGKAT (Citrus Reticulata)

The limau langkat is classified under the mandarin orange group and is one of the more popular citrus species cultivated in the lowlands. The size of the fruit is between 5 – 10 cm in diameter and its shape is slightly round. There are, however, many variations in fruit type, with quite noticeable difference in fruit type, thickness of rind and sweetness. These variations are due to the influence of climate and soil. The quality of the fruit is usually better if grown in the highland area. The tree is grown at a distance of 6 meters x 6 meters giving 270 trees/hectare. The trees are usually are usually propagated by marcotting. The fruit matures 7 – 8 months after flowering planting. The fruit is ripe when the skin changes color from green to yellowish green. There are usually two fruiting seasons per year, i.e. July/August and October/November. The yield is around 20 – 25 tonnes/hectare and its profitable life is 10 years.

How to Eat

Peel the skin and eat the flesh. It can be taken in the form of juice by cutting the citrus horizontally into two pieces and squeezing the fruit to get the juice. The juice is best served chilled.

Tropical fruits

LANGSAT (Lansium Domesticum)

2006-09-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

LANGSAT (LANSIUM DOMESTICUM)

Langsat is a species widely planted in Malaysia, Philipines and Java. The slow growing tree is slender, reaching 10 to 20 meters high. It takes 10 – 15 years to mature. Usually it planting distance is 9 meters x 9 meters giving 118 trees per hectare. The fruit has a milky yellowish color, with a comparatively thin skin which exudes latex when peeled. The fruit size is between 2 – 3 cm long, round or oval in shape. Harvesting is normally not done after a heavy rain to avoid fruits having cracked skins. The skin will become bruiced, cracked and rotten if kept for too long. Harvesting of the fruits is done by climbing the tree, plucking of the bunches which are then placed in a basket. This method of harvesting prevents the fruit from falling to the ground which would cause skins of the fruits to crack.

How to Eat

The ripe langsat fruit contains a slight sticky liquid with the flesh divided into segments. Press the middle of the fruit until the shell opens. Remove the shell and the fruit is ready for consumption. At present, the langsat fruit is only eaten fresh.

DURIAN (Durio Zibethinus)

2006-09-16T03:05:00.000-07:00

Tropical Fruits

DURIAN (DURIO ZIBETHINUS)

The durian is one of the most popular fruits among Malaysian. It is usually eaten fresh, made into cakes, added into cooking or used as a food flavouring. The durian tree is planted at a distance of 12 meters x 12 meters this depends on the type of clone. The tree is large and canreach the height of 20 meter. Up to 1987 about 100 clones have been registered, with variation in the shape, color, skin, flesh, taste, texture and size of the fruit. The durian tree will take between 6 and 12 years to bear fruit. The ripe fruit will drop by itself and has a strong aroma. The average yield is 10 tonnes per hectare per season and the tree gives a profitable yield for 15 years.

How to Eat

The skin of the durian is difficult to open. However it is relatively simple it cut along the segments on the skin which can be seen at the bottom of the durian. It has between 4 – 5 segments. Cut the two opposite segments o that it can be easily opened. Separate the skin into two sections along the segments that have been cut. Each seed is covered with a cream pulp which is normally eaten fresh.

Tropical Fruits

DUKU LANGSAT (LANSIUM DOMESTICUM)

2006-09-16T02:06:00.000-07:00

DUKU LANGSAT (LANSIUM DOMESTICUM)

The duku langsat belongs to the same MALICEAE family as the duku and the langsat. These three type of fruits are distinguished by the color, the size, the thickness of the skin, the latex content and the taste. The duku langsat is cross between the duku and the langsat. However, it is difficult to distinguish a duku langsat from the langsat just by size and color. A good distinguishing point is in the case of duku langsat compared to that of the langsat. Additionally, there is less latex in the duku langsat.

The duku langsat tree is usually planted from seed and it takes anywhere from 15 to 20 years to mature. The recommended planting distance between the trees is 9 meter square to 12 meter square. The tree can reach a height of 30 meters. The average yield of the tree ranges from 30 to 180 kg/tree during early years and can increase to 250 kg/tree when the tree reaches the fifth years.

The duku langsat fruit spoils, turn black and splits if it is plucked under wet conditions. The fruits is normally harvested in about 3 to 4 months after the start of flowering when the fruit changes colour from green to brownish yellow.

How to Eat

The ripe duku langsat fruit contains a slight milky juice. The fruit has segments which make it easier to open by hand. Press the middle of the fruit until the shells opens. Remove the shell and the fruit is ready for consumption. At present the duku langsat fruit is only eaten fresh.

DUKU (LANSIUM DOMESTICUM)

2006-09-16T01:50:00.000-07:00

DUKU (LANSIUM DOMESTICUM)

The duku believed to be native to Malaysia but can also be found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and most of the tropical countries. In Malaysia, most of the duku is found in the state of Johore. The duku shape is round in shape, ranging from 3 – 5 cm in diameter. The matured fruit is brownish yellow in color with a thick skin an exudes latex when peeled. The duku fruit is a kind of berry with cauliferous habit, that is, fruit forming on the trunk and branches of the tree. Each fruits contains 5 segments. The duku belongs to the group of fruits which have a slow growth rate. The tree takes 15 years to mature. It is grown at a distance of 7 meters x 7 meters, giving 204 trees/hectare. Until 1980 only one clone of duku (D 4.1) was registered by the Department of Agriculture. The estimated average yield is 250 kg per tree and the tree can bear fruits until it reaches 50 years or more.

How To Eat

The ripe duku fruit has a thick skin. Each fruit have five segments which make it easier to open by hand. Press the middle of the fruit until the shell opens. Remove the shell and the fruit is re

CEMPEDAK (Artocarpus Integer)

2006-09-15T00:52:00.000-07:00

CEMPEDAK (ARTOCARPUS INTEGER)

The Cempedak is from the same family and genera as the jackfruit but it can be distinguished from the jackfruit by it smaller size and its spines, which can sometimes be absent. The size of the tree, distance planted and other agronomic characteristic are similar to the jackfruit. There were 21 clones of cempedak registered until 1980. This means that there are great variations in the size and weigh of the fruit. The fruit is varies in the length from 21 cm to 58 cm and in weight from 1.7 kg to 7 kg. Variations also exist in the thickness of the flesh, the number of seeds and flesh characteristics (colour, texture, sweetness, water content, ect). The skin of the ripe fruit is yellowish green. The fruit is usually wrapped while still on the tree to protect from pests. The fruit is carefully plucked using a knife or a pair of scissors to avoid any damage.

HOW TO EAT

The skin of the ripe cempedak fruit is soft and tender. Cut the skin using a knife. Open and tear off its skin. The flesh is found clustered to the core. The flesh can be eaten fresh or fried.

Processed form found in the market:
- Juice

Local uses:
- juice, fried cempedak, cempedak cakes, sweet meat.

TROPICAL FRUITS

2006-09-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

Tropical Fruit

INTRODUCTION

Malaysian ha s a wide variety of fruits to offer. Some varieties such as banana, the papaya, the guava and the carambola are available all the year round. Other fruit such as durians, mangosteens, rambutans and mangoes are seasonal and are usually available in the middle of the year, between June and August and at the end of the year between November and January.

Most fruits has traditional been grown by Malaysian farmers in small orchards. However, larger scale cultivation of fruits for export and for processing has expended in recent years. The quality has also improved with more research and development of better varieties and improvements in production and post-harvest practices.

Here, I would like to focus on twenty varieties of fruits which have been specially selected to represent the best that Malaysia can offer based on their appearance, taste, aroma and texture.

The world demand for exotics fruits of Malaysia is expanding. A few varieties, such as the banana, the papaya and the carambola, have already reach consumers in countries in Europe and the Far East. It is expected that more varieties of Malaysian fruits will flow into the world market in the near future.