The phoenix eye fruit is a medicinal and edible ingredient with rich nutritional value. It not only helps regulate the digestive system but also has detoxifying, insecticidal, and anti-aging effects. Let's get to know the morphological characteristics and methods of consuming phoenix eye fruit.
【Morphological Characteristics of Phoenix Eye Fruit】
Many people have never heard of or seen phoenix eye fruit. It is rare and scarce in the market because of its low yield and difficulty in large-scale cultivation. Phoenix eye fruit, also known as pingpo fruit, belongs to the evergreen tree in the Meliaceae family and is mainly distributed in southern regions such as Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan.
When mature, the fruit pod splits open to reveal the bright red flesh, with three or four black seeds resembling eyes inside. The whole fruit pod is visually appealing, hence the name phoenix eye fruit. In some regions, it is also called "wealthy fruit" because "ping" sounds like "poor" in Chinese.
The seeds of phoenix eye fruit are oval or oblong, dark brown in color. When peeled, the mature seeds resemble chestnuts, with yellow kernels resembling small quail eggs.
Phoenix eye fruit can expel roundworms from the human body, especially relieving abdominal pain caused by roundworm infestation. It also has detoxifying properties and can treat pediatric scalp sores.
【Methods of Consuming Phoenix Eye Fruit】
The fruit of phoenix eye fruit is not only visually appealing but also delicious. The taste of the fruit is similar to chestnuts, and it can be cooked in various ways, such as stewed with duck, pork ribs, or chicken.
Especially in the Panyu and Shunde regions, phoenix eye fruit is a seasonal delicacy favored by many knowledgeable gourmets.
Phoenix eye fruit can be used in both food and medicine. When cooked with various meats, it has the effects of nourishing the stomach, clearing the intestines, clearing heat and dampness, and improving vision. It is particularly suitable for consumption in southern climates.
Phoenix eye fruit itself has the effects of warming the stomach, invigorating the spleen, and relieving irritability and excessive internal heat. It is a precious ingredient. So, how can phoenix eye fruit be used in cooking? The answer is steaming, boiling, roasting, and braising. It can also be used to make desserts, soups, etc.
Phoenix eye fruit is often used in braising and simmering dishes. Among them, braised chicken with phoenix eye fruit is the most classic dish.
【Distinguishing Real and Fake Phoenix Eye Fruit】
Phoenix eye fruit is not widely cultivated, but fake pingpo fruit is common. Fake pingpo fruit, belonging to the same evergreen tree in the Meliaceae family as phoenix eye fruit, has similar appearances in terms of fruits and leaves. So how can we distinguish between fake and real pingpo fruit (phoenix eye fruit)?
Look at the flowers: Phoenix eye fruit has small and dense flowers resembling small palace lanterns. The flowers of fake pingpo fruit are like spreading small red stars, which are its split sepals. The colors are also different, with phoenix eye fruit being milky yellow or light pink, while fake pingpo fruit is pale red.
Look at the leaves: The leaves of pingpo fruit are wide and round to rectangular, much wider than the leaves of fake pingpo fruit, which are oval to rectangular and almost lanceolate.
Look at the fruits: Distinguishing by the fruits is the easiest. Phoenix eye fruit usually has 1 to 3 seeds per pod, which are larger than pigeon eggs but smaller than broad beans. On the other hand, the fruits of fake pingpo fruit are palm-shaped and radiate, with small black pearl-like seeds, usually having 5 to 7 seeds per pod, similar in size to peanuts.
