Exotic fruit: the healthy extras on your festive menu

Dates

Although you can get dried dates throughout the year, they are especially in demand during the Christmas holiday season. Also called "bread of the desert", dates are a good and healthy energy source, and they can be paired as tasty finger foods to go with drinks. In addition, dates contain plenty of minerals (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and calcium), vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, C) and fibre, all of which are good for digestion.

Pomegranates

Pomegranate is the oldest medicinal fruit known to man. It not only contains glutamine and aspartic acid, which support muscle growth, but also protects the cardiovascular system, stabilises cholesterol levels and lowers blood pressure. You can extract pomegranate seeds and use them as a snack or for decorating a festive menu.

Limes

As a close relative of lemons, limes are a bit spicier, which makes them ideal for putting the finishing touch on cocktails, dressings and sauces. Furthermore, lime peel is a very popular ingredient in numerous desserts. As is the case with all citrus fruit, limes have lots of vitamin C, potassium, calcium and phosphorus, which are especially important for a healthy heart and strong muscles.

Papayas

Papaya is rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C and provitamin A. It aids digestion of high-protein foods such as meat, fish, cheese, etc.) and helps to prevent cancer. It also makes a good snack and is a popular ingredient in exotic sauces such as chutneys, curries and salsas.

Passion fruit (maracuja)

Passion fruit not only has enormous amounts of vitamin A, B and C but is also rich in minerals such as potassium, phosphorous and calcium. As a berry with a brown and violet skin, it is also widely used in cocktails, punch and fruit juice as well as in yoghurt, desserts and ice cream.


24.12.2014