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 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  Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Bouea macrophylla

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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, insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?, stroke?, and other health ailments.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

References