The phoenix eye fruit is the seed of the Chinese parasol tree, a plant in the family of the Meliaceae. It can be eaten as a food and used as a medicine. Its taste and flavor are similar to chestnuts, so it is often compared to chestnuts. There are many ways to eat phoenix eye fruit, such as steaming and boiling. Now let's learn about the medicinal value of phoenix eye fruit and how to eat it.
Phoenix Eye Fruit Image
【Medicinal Value of Phoenix Eye Fruit】
1. Improving Memory
Phoenix eye fruit contains various beneficial trace elements for the human body. Phosphorus and zinc are the most important elements in phoenix eye fruit, and it also contains some phospholipids. These substances can be directly absorbed and utilized by the human brain and central nervous system, improving brain cell activity and significantly enhancing memory. It is most suitable for people who use their brains frequently.
2. Protecting the Eyes
Phoenix eye fruit is rich in vitamin A, which can directly affect the human visual nerve, preventing vision decline and retinal degeneration, and reducing the occurrence of night blindness.
3. Lowering Cholesterol
Phoenix eye fruit contains a large amount of fatty acids, most of which are unsaturated fatty acids. After entering the body, they can promote fat metabolism and excretion, reduce the absorption of cholesterol by the body, decompose and excrete cholesterol in the body, soften blood vessels, and lower high blood lipids.
Phoenix Eye Fruit Image
【Methods of Eating Phoenix Eye Fruit】
The edible part of freshly picked phoenix eye fruit is its kernel. The peeled phoenix eye fruit kernel is soft and white, like small quail eggs, delicate and beautiful. Its taste and flavor are similar to chestnuts, with a slightly sweet and fragrant taste and a juicy texture, which is even better than chestnuts.
Because the taste of phoenix eye fruit itself is not very distinctive, and its texture can be sticky or powdery, it can be paired with different ingredients to create a variety of flavors. There are many ways to eat it, such as steaming and boiling, roasting, making syrup, and braising.
Since the flavor of phoenix eye fruit is similar to chestnuts, people in Guangdong naturally associate it with the eating method of chestnuts.
The most common ways to eat phoenix eye fruit are braising and steeping. Braised dishes made with phoenix eye fruit have a sweet and mellow taste. Braised chicken, duck, and pork are all suitable.
Among them, braising is considered the best way to cook it. Fatty ingredients such as pork belly, roasted pork, chicken, duck, and abalone (braised with abalone sauce) are the most suitable for pairing with phoenix eye fruit. The most representative dish is "Braised Chicken with Phoenix Eye Fruit".
Phoenix Eye Fruit Image
【Methods of Planting Phoenix Eye Fruit】
1. Planting
Spring is the best time for planting, with a row spacing of 4 meters × 5 meters, suitable for planting 33 trees per acre. The size of the planting hole is 80 cm × 80 cm × 60 cm. Organic fertilizers should be used as the main fertilizer, combined with a small amount of chemical fertilizer. Apply base fertilizer to promote the rapid growth of seedlings and early fruiting.
2. Field Management
The Chinese parasol tree does not have strict requirements for soil. Its roots are developed and it grows quickly. Although it can grow well in barren and sandy soil, it is best to use well-drained sandy loam with deep soil layers.
According to the growth habits of the Chinese parasol tree, it is resistant to flooding but not drought. Therefore, during the flowering and young fruiting period, it is necessary to water frequently to keep the soil moist.
The Chinese parasol tree has a strong ability to sprout from the trunk. It should be pruned properly, cutting off the upper part of the main branch to promote the sprouting of lateral branches, making the entire tree shape oval, which is beneficial for fruiting and harvesting.
3. Disease and Pest Control
The Chinese parasol tree is mainly affected by diseases such as anthracnose and root rot, as well as pests such as woodlice. Combining winter fertilization and maintaining garden cleanliness can reduce the source of infection by collecting and burning diseased fallen leaves.
