The Malay apple is a distinctive tropical fruit that is currently grown, consumed, and traded in Nigeria and other tropical nations. The Malay apple, as its name implies, comes from the lowlands and woods of south-east Asia in the Indo-Malayan region.
The Malay apple tree is highly regarded for the beauty of its blooms and its vibrant, glittering fruits, making it a visual joy in every way. In many Nigerian states nowadays, trees are the dominant feature.
The largest apple fruit in the world is the Malay apple. It comes in three (3) different colours and forms and has the maximum juice content or moisture, ranging from 90.3 to 91.6g. The hues are white, green, and red. The forms are bell, oblong, and obovoid. Some people in Nigeria like it because of its distinct sweet-sour flavour. Children adore Malay apples, and the red type is currently the most popular in Nigeria.
It has both therapeutic and nutritive properties. This is demonstrated by the nutritional makeup and a study that was published in the Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, Food Chemistry, and Scientific World Journal. Syzygium malaccense is the scientific name. It is yet another global marvel.
It is exclusively tropical. It cannot withstand cold or frost. Although it can withstand seasonal rains as long as there isn’t a prolonged dry spell, it likes year-round rainfall. When there is a drought, trees that are planted in regions with a seasonal dry season require irrigation.
In Nigeria, Malay apple trees are planted in gardens, residences, and farms. When completely grown, the tree produces two to three harvests annually and roughly two thousand (2,000) apples per tree per harvest.
The health advantages of Malay apples are amazing. Epicatechin, which is found in apple flesh, is a powerful blood pressure-lowering agent. It cleanses the body. It has minerals, vitamins, and water that act as detoxifiers.
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Because it is high in fibre, it aids in the relief of constipation. Because it contains a lot of water, it aids in hydrating the body. It contains vitamin A, which helps to improve vision clarity and sharpness. Skin cancer is prevented by vitamin C and other minerals. In Malaysia, root preparation is used to relieve swelling and irritation, and the powder made from the dried leaves is said to be applied to a cracked tongue.
The roots, leaves, and seeds are used to treat fever in Cambodia. In Brazil, several components of the Malay apple tree are used to treat a variety of illnesses, including catarrh, headaches, coughs, diabetes, and constipation. Throughout the species’ distribution, numerous additional uses have been documented.
You can eat the ripe Malay apple raw. The meat is white and crisp, and the skin is thin. Pickles and jelly are made from somewhat immature apples. Red and white table wines are made from it. The ripe apples can be used to make tasty jams and preserves.
Apples can be chopped into fine pieces and added to salsa recipes, or they can be chopped raw and used in fruit salads. Young leaves and shoots are eaten uncooked with rice or cooked and eaten as greens before they turn green.
