Bouea macrophylla/Gandaria is also known as Plum Mango and Marian Plum. The flowering and fruiting season differs in Thailand and Indonesia. In Thailand, flowering takes place in November-December and fruiting occurs from April-May. In Indonesia, flowering takes place in June-November and fruiting occurs from March-June.
An immature fruit has a pale green color which changes as the fruit develops. When the fruit gets ripened, it turns yellow to orange, roundish and 4-7 cm long. The fruit has a sour or sweet taste with the smell of turpentine. The seeds present in the fruit are small and similar to mango. The endosperm is white, pinkish-purple with an astringent and bitter taste.
Gandaria Quick Facts
Name:
Gandaria
Scientific Name:
Bouea macrophylla
Origin
North Sumatra, West Java, and Peninsular Malaysia. It is widely cultivated in Sumatra, Ambon, Java, Mauritius, Borneo, Philippines and Thailand.
Colors
Green, yellow, or orange (Fruit)
Shapes
Subglobose, oval-round, Length: 4-7 cm (Fruit)
Flesh colors
Orangey yellow
Taste
Sour-sweet
Health benefits
The function of the brain, Eradicate toxins, Heart ailments, Lung functions, Vision
Gandaria is a juicy fruit belonging to the genus Bouea, cultivated mostly for its edible fruit. They belong to the family of flowering plant Anacardiaceae. The Gandaria is native to North Sumatra, West Java, and Peninsular Malaysia. It is widely cultivated in Sumatra, Ambon, Java, Mauritius, Borneo, the Philippines, and Thailand. It was exported to Europe by Thailand.
GANDARIA FACTS
The fruit resembles a miniature mango which varies in shape from oval-round. The matured fruit is 4 to 7 cm long having smooth, brittle, and thin skin. When the fruit gets ripened, the skin turns to the apricot color or yellow. This fruit is generally added to the salads and used for the preparations of sauces.
Name
Gandaria
Scientific Name
Bouea macrophylla
Native
North Sumatra, West Java, and Peninsular Malaysia. It is widely cultivated in Sumatra, Ambon, Java, Mauritius, Borneo, the Philippines, and Thailand. It was exported to Europe by Thailand.
Elliptic, ovate to oblong to lanceolate, glabrous; Length: 45 cm long, Width: 13 cm
Flowering Season
Thailand: November-December Indonesia: June-November
Flower
Oblong-obovate petals, yellowish or light yellowish to green, 1.5-2.5 mm × 1 mm
Fruit shape & size
Subglobose, oval-round, Length: 4-7cm
Fruit color
Green, yellow or orange
Flesh color
Orangey yellow
Fruit skin
Thin, smooth, brittle
Fruit Taste
Sour-sweet
Seed
Single seed with blue or violet cotyledon
Endosperm
White, pinkish purple
Fruit Season
Thailand: April-May Indonesia: March-June
Health Benefits
Skin Health
Speeds healing process
Treat cancer
Improves blood circulation
Function of brain
Eradicate toxins
Heart ailments
Lung functions
Vision
Assist weight loss
Gandaria Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Bouea macrophylla
Rank
Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom
Plantae (Plants)
Subphylum
Euphyllophytina
Infraphylum
Radiators
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Rosanne
Order
Sapindales
Family
Anacardiaceae
Tribe
Anacardiaceae
Genus
Bouma
Species
B. macrophylla
Synonyms
Bouea gandaria Blume ex Miq.
Trpoidopetalum javanicum Turcz
Plant
Gandaria trees grow upto 27 m high with a trunk diameter of 55 cm. The trees are perennial. The leaves are elliptic, ovate to oblong to lanceolate, glabrous; 45 cm long, and 13 cm wide. The flowers have oblong-obovate petals which are yellowish or light yellowish to the green of 1.5-2.5 mm × 1 mm. The fruit is a subglobose drupe, oval-round, and 4-7 cm long. Inside its flesh ranges to orangey-yellow. Each fruit contains a single seed with blue or violet cotyledon. The fruit has a sour to sweet taste. The skin of the fruit is thin, smooth, brittle which is green, yellow or orange.
Health Benefits of Gandaria
Besides the delicious taste, this exotic fruit provides various health benefits. Gandaria could be added to salads, juice, and pickles.
Skin Health
This fruit possesses a high amount of Vitamin C which assists in collagen tissue formation that helps to nourish the skin. Additionally, beta-carotene is also found in Gandaria fruit which is essential for skin health. The water content helps to moisturize the skin which is intact the skin health.
Speeds healing process
Gandaria is a great source of protein and Vitamin C which promotes the rejuvenation and regeneration of body cells. The cell’s regeneration speeds up the time of the healing process. It assists in the formation of collagen and protein metabolism.
Treat cancer
Gandaria has a high amount of water which is good for the digestive system. Additionally, the fiber assists the absorption process more quickly and smoothly. It prevents precipitation which could cause cancer in the digestive system. The study shows that consuming 26 gm of fiber in a day reduces the chances of cancer. Gandaria helps to prevent the chances of gastrointestinal cancer.
Improves blood circulation
The body requires more water for the consistency of the circulatory system because our body resides about 55% of water and about 82% of blood is water. This fruit possesses a high amount of water content. An adequate amount of water in the body assists in the smooth circulation of blood.
Function of brain
Our brain is composed of 70% water so the brain needs an adequate amount of water for its smooth function. The intake of Gandaria fruit maintains the brain function as it is rich in water content. The body requires a sufficient amount of water for the well-functioning of the brain.
Eradicate toxins
Water plays a vital role in the function of body parts. Water regulates the temperature of the body which is related to the perspiration process. It helps to eliminate the toxins and impurities from the body. The water assists the reabsorption process due to which the waste could be removed from the body. It helps to reduce the chances of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and other health ailments.
Heart ailments
The study shows that fiber acts as an effective aid to counteract heart disease. The intake of 26 grams of fiber in a day prevents the chances of heart disease by about 40%. One should consume a diet rich in fiber which helps to evade heart disease.
Lung functions
The other organs along with the lungs require an adequate amount of water because about 90% of lung composition is water. Gandaria possesses the nutrition which helps to maintain the function of the lungs.
Vision
Beta carotene is one of the ingredients found in Gandaria which helps to maintain eye health. Beta carotene is the nutrient that transforms into Vitamin A benefits which are absorbed by the body. Vitamin A helps to maintain eye health.
Assist weight loss
Fiber helps to low weight. Gandaria contains more fiber in comparison to fat. Additionally, an adequate amount of fiber helps to make the stomach full for a long period of time.
Edible parts of the plants
Mature fruit: Edible with peel, had a light taste of mango.
Immature fruit: Edible with fruit salad and condiments.
Seed: Edible cotyledons but endosperm possesses bitter taste.
Young leaves: Consumed raw or cooked
How to Eat
Immature fruits could be pickled or added to curries.
The mature fruits are cooked in syrup or as an ingredient in the sambal.
Young leaves are eaten as vegetables.
In Indonesia, the leaves are consumed raw along with rice.
Fruits are eaten fresh.
Young fruits are added as an ingredient in pickles and chili-based condiments.
Leaves are consumed raw and can be added to salads.
Immature fruits are used in Asia and rojak.
The fruits are used to make drinks or added to the stew.
The fruit is used to make jam in Indonesia.
In Java, the leaves are consumed by adding it to salads.
In Thailand, young fruits are added as ingredients for condiments and pickles.
Ripe fruits are used to make halwa and dried as snacks
