2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Imbe (lat. Imbe) - an exotic fruit, often called African mangosteen or Livingston's garcinia. In fact, he is one of the varieties of garcinia.
Description
Imbe is a shade-tolerant, evergreen and slow-growing tree, the height of which rarely exceeds seven meters. Oval paired imbe leaves are painted in bluish-greenish tones and are equipped with distinct whitish veins. In length, they reach from six to eleven centimeters, and their width ranges from three to five and a half centimeters. And the leaves grow, as a rule, in whorls (three or four pieces each) or in opposite pairs.
All imbe flowers, forming in clusters located on the stems, are collected in spectacular racemose inflorescences, each of which has from five to fifteen flowers. And the color of the flowers can be either yellowish or whitish or greenish.
The spectacular pinkish-orangeish fruits of the imbe, famous for their coloring effect, are usually very small - they rarely exceed three centimeters in size. The skin of the fruit is very thin, and the flesh is sweet, juicy and fibrous. One very large bone is hidden inside each fruit. The taste of imbe is sweet and sour, very rich and bright. As for the aroma, it is somewhat reminiscent of the aroma of apricots.
The pulp of the fruit contains a small amount of latex, which leads to the stickiness of the juice secreted by them, which sometimes is very unpleasant for some people. True, in view of the excellent taste, it is quite possible to put up with this small drawback.
Where grows
It will not be difficult to try imbe in the vastness of distant Africa, and its homeland is East Africa. Ideal for growing imbe and southern Florida climate. Unfortunately, this fruit is practically not imported to other countries - this is due to its incredibly thin skin, which will not be difficult to damage. And fruits with damaged skin immediately begin to deteriorate - it is this factor that is the main obstacle to its movement over considerable distances.
It is noteworthy that the capital of Mozambique is decorated with the imbe tree, and this beautiful plant can also be seen in Zimbabwe and Zambia, near the Victoria Falls.
Application
Imbe fruits are either consumed fresh, or made into jam, and delicious desserts are prepared with their addition, or the pulp of imbe is used as a filling for a wide variety of pies. Quite often, imbe is also dried - dried fruits are very similar to raisins in taste and in appearance. Imbe also makes great jams, juices, wines, liqueurs and various sweetened canned foods. In Africa, these fruits have long been a traditional plant food. However, in some regions, imbe is also grown as an ornamental crop.
This fruit is very rich in vitamins and substances that actively contribute to the prevention of cancer. And the local population constantly uses it as a powerful aphrodisiac. In addition, various animals and birds (including elephants) eat imbe with pleasure, and the trunks of this tree are an excellent building material.
The roots and bark of imbe contain an impressive amount of phytoncides, which allows them to be used in the treatment of various infectious ailments, including such dangerous and serious diseases as tuberculosis and meningitis. Imbe leaves boast a pronounced antiseptic effect, and its juice is often used as a dye.
Contraindications
As such, imbe has no contraindications, however, when using these fruits, the risk of developing allergic reactions is not excluded.
