2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Langsat (lat. Lansium domesticum) - a fruit tree belonging to the Meliaceae family.
Description
Langsat is a slender erect tree, the height of which can vary from ten and a half to fifteen meters. The rough bark of trees is usually yellowish-brownish or reddish-brownish tones. And the feathery leaves of langsat reach a length of twenty two and a half to fifty centimeters.
The fleshy flowers of this culture can be either pale yellow or white. All of them are collected in compact inflorescences growing on the main branches and trunks.
Slightly oval or round langsat fruits reach a diameter of two and a half to five centimeters. Each fruit is covered with a velvety pale brownish or grayish-yellowish skin. And the white pulp contained inside is always transparent and aromatic. As a rule, it is divided into five to six distinct segments. Also inside the fruit you can find one or two rather long and large bones. By the way, outwardly, the fruits of langsat are somewhat reminiscent of young potatoes. Despite the fact that the peel of these fruits is very dense, it is quite easy to peel them (many people open them with their hands without much difficulty). And the taste of langsat can be either sweet or sour.
Langsat begins to bear fruit only after fifteen years, but then it will delight with the harvest twice a year!
Where grows
The homeland of this unusual plant is Malaysia. In addition, langsat is widely cultivated in Hawaii, South India, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. Sometimes single trees can be found on a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean. And the inhabitants of the American continent are not familiar with langsat, however, in small quantities it is still grown in Suriname.
It is noteworthy that langsat is one of the many symbols of the colorful Thai province called Narathiwat.
Application
Langsat fruits can be eaten fresh, or canned in syrup or boiled. Moreover, these amazing fruits will perfectly complement almost any dish. And the drinks they make are excellent.
When burning, the dry skin of langsat emits aromatic smoke that repels harmful insects. And the wood of this culture has found application in the popular furniture industry. But the products made from it are quite expensive.
The crushed seeds of the fruit are used as an anthelmintic and antipyretic agent. A decoction of the bark is good for curing dysentery and malaria.
In Chinese and Thai folk medicine, the miraculous langsat is actively used to add strength during the period of illness, as well as to increase the general tone.
The juicy pulp of langsat helps to reduce fever and fever, and improves sleep, brain function and memory.
Contraindications
Langsat is contraindicated in people with diabetes. You should not use it in case of individual intolerance. And excessive consumption of this fruit can lead not only to an increase in temperature, but also to more serious consequences.
Selection and storage
Ripe langsat is always quite firm to the touch and has an even skin. In no case should there be cracks on high-quality fruits.
To peel this fruit, gently squeeze the skin near its stem and slowly remove it, and then divide the pulp into two parts.
As a rule, langsat is not stored for long - at room temperature it is unlikely to last more than three to four days. And it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Best of all, these fruits are stored at a temperature of twelve to thirteen degrees.
