Sign In | Home | Contact Us | About Us | Register here
MeriRasoi.com | Recipes | Food | Nutrition
Foods Nutrition
 
 
 
Mulberry   

The fruit of the mulberry is similar to the blackberry. It is a compound fruit that is made of many smaller fruits called drupes.  Therefore, botanically it is not a true berry.  The skin is smooth and fragile, and the color changes from green to red to dark purple as it matures. There are also white mulberry varieties that exist. Mulberries have a stem that persists on the fruit when it is picked from the tree, distinguishing it from blackberries and raspberries.

They are the fruits of a plant belonging to the Morus (Moraceae) family. The 10–16 species of deciduous trees it contains are commonly known as Mulberries. The black mulberry (Morus nigra L.), the most common species, is a native of western Asia that spread westward in cultivation at early times. Up to the 15th century it was extensively grown in Italy for raising silkworms, but it has since been superseded by the white mulberry (Morus Alba L.). Now an introduced species in North America, it is mainly cultivated for its large, juicy, purple-black fruits, which are superior in flavor to those of red mulberry (Morus rubra L.).

All three mulberry species are deciduous trees of varying sizes. White mulberries can grow to 80 ft. and are the most variable in form, including drooping and pyramidal shapes. The black mulberry is the smallest of the three, sometimes growing to 30 ft. in height, but it tends to be a bush if not trained when it is young. The species vary greatly in longevity. Red mulberry trees rarely live more than 75 years, while black mulberries have been known to bear fruit for hundreds of years. The mulberry makes an attractive tree which will bear fruit while still small and young.

 
Mulberry
 
General Nutrition Info
Nutrient Name Quantity
 
 
Vitamins Nutrition Info
Nutrient Name Quantity
 
Minerals Nutrition Info
Nutrient Name Quantity
 
 

The one grown in China is the white mulberry. One of the main uses of the plant is for raising silkworms, which utilize the leaves as their main food source. China has been producing silk since ancient times and remains one of the world's primary sources. It is juicy and has a sweet taste with some sourness that is more prominent in the less mature fruits.

Some of these benefits have not been scientifically verified but are traditional remedies that have developed in countries where mulberries are consumed for hundreds of years.

Cancer Prevention
Mulberries are a good source of resveratrol; a potent phytonutrient also found in grapes that researchers believe can prevent cancer and fight in the existing battle against cancers.

Longevity
Because of their resveratrol content, mulberries may also be a key in one's life extension arsenal, as resveratrol has shown in several studies to extend the life of mice.

Blood Tonic
In Chinese medicine, mulberries are considered a blood tonic, meaning that they cleanse the blood and increase its production, strengthening the entire system.

Kidney care
In Chinese medicine, mulberries are stated to strengthen the kidneys.

Liver Cleanser
In Chinese medicine, they are believed to be effective in cleansing the liver.

Digestive care
In Turkey, a remedy for constipation is to eat white mulberries on an empty stomach with a glass of water. Mulberry is also instrumental in eliminating abdominal distention.

Anemia
Due to its content high in iron, mulberries are a great fruit to include in the treatment of anemia.

Cold and Flu Treatment
In Turkey, mulberry molasses is used as a treatment for colds and flu. Their ability to cure may be due to their high vitamin C content.

Hair Care
Mulberries are considered an effective remedy for prematurely gray hair. Mulberry juice applied directly on head also promotes healthy growth of hair and blackening.

Recovery aid
Intake of mulberry juice after any surgery is restorative. Mulberry is helpful in recuperating after long-time sickness. Consumption of mulberry juice after childbirth is also good for women’s health.

Heart health
Mulberry helps in containing hypertension. Use of mulberry keeps low cholesterol level in the body.

Eyesight
Regular consumption of mulberry protects our eyesight. If you have dry eyes due to working in front of a computer for long periods, you must drink mulberry juice which can helps strengthen your sight.

Regular consumption of mulberry juice would be an excellent aid in health problems like anemia, pallor, dizziness, heart-palpitations and insomnia. Black mulberries are more flavorful and tasty than their counterpart white and red varieties. The peak season for black mulberry is May through August while the other two varieties are available by late spring. Look for fleshy berries that are flavorful and heavy in hands. Avoid selecting the bruised, bleeding and sunken berries in supermarkets.

Upon arriving at home, preserve them in the zip pouch unwashed inside refrigerator where they can stay fresh for a week. Mulberries spoil rather quickly so consume them immediately. To eat, wash the berries in cold water in a container (bowl) instead of in running water. This way you avoid injuring the flesh. This method also put the berries to room temperature and enhances their flavor and taste.

Fresh mulberry are usually eaten raw and fresh. But they do mix well with other berry salads and can be a great snack between meals. Mulberries are favored in jams, jellies, tart syrups and are added to ice-creams, smoothies and yogurt as in strawberries and raspberries. The dried mulberries can be used in pie fillings, mulberry muffins, cookies, cakes etc. Why not try them now in your everyday dish? It will not only bring you the delight of its flavorful taste but also its goodness body benefits!

  Home | Contact us | About us | Advertise with us | Site Map | Recipe Categories | Links
Copyright merirasoi.com © 2012       Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Detection
Bookmark and Share