Winter fruits: a pleasure to bite into

Nature is very wise and the fact that The citrus Be the kings of winter fruit proves it. Especially rich in Vitamin C, citrus fruits are allies against colds and other ailments that we have to deal with when temperatures drop. However, they are not the only treasures that the cold brings us.

We take a tour of the ten bites that cannot be absent from our tables this Christmas. Fresh, in jam and even in nougat.

Orange, sun warehouse

Originally from China, the orange arrived in Arabia in the XNUMXth century. It began to be cultivated in Sicily in the XNUMXth century and in Seville, a century later. In addition to vitamin C, the orange is rich in phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium and vitamin D, having the reputation of being the fruit that can store the most sun.

There is bitter orange, the first to arrive in Europe, generally employed in the confectionery; the sweet y the blood, a variety of red flesh and slightly bitter taste. Orange is, like other citrus fruits, a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Proves it Citrus, a recently published cookbook that compiles 170 recipes based on this winter jewel.

Cherimoya, black and white sweetness

Sweet, between the flavor of pineapple and banana, aromatic and seductive. A natural candy. The cherimoya is a tropical fruit native to Latin America –apparently, specifically from Peru– that is grown successfully on the Costa Tropical de Granada. What’s more, it even has its own protected designation of origin.

From a nutritional point of view, custard apple is a treasure, being rich in calories, sugars, proteins, calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin C. It is very nutritious and even its leaves and flowers are fragrant. Of course, its black seeds, up to thirty in a single piece of fruit, are not eaten.

Apple, the “lady” of winter

Round and universal, the apple is native to Central Asia and is rich in vitamin C (especially the Ribston Pippin variety), calcium, iron and phosphorus, among other things. It is believed that there are more than 80.000 varieties of this fruit, of which more than 5.000 have been classified.

In 1973 an Australian named John Cripps crossed a Golden Delicious with a Lady Williams. The “newborn” was baptized with the name of Pink Lady, inspired by a cocktail that appears in the novel The Cruel Sea by Nicholas Monsarrat. Grown in France, Spain and Italy, Pink Lady is a very exclusive apple variety. From the choice of land to the slow flowering and harvesting times (October-November), passing through its aromatic notes of rose and lychee and its pink color, nothing in the pedigree of this fruit is accidental.

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada in her day designed a bag for this apple. For your ice cream parlors rocambolesc, Jordi Roca has exclusively elaborated two flavors with this variety: apple sorbet and Pink Lady apple ice cream baked with cinnamon. The last in order of arrival is an apple nougat, almond praline and white chocolate devised by the Catalan confectionery Tugues.

Persimmon and persimmon

Persimmon is another exotic fruit that has adapted wonderfully in Spain. The classic khaki, originally from China and Japan, it looks similar to a large orange tomato. With soft and gelatinous pulp, it is eaten very ripe with a spoon, in juices or in salads.

El caqui Persimon It is an autochthonous variety called Rojo Brillante, which is grown in the Ribera del Xúquer, in the Valencian Community. It is characterized by its firm pulp and crunchy texture. It is an immature persimmon, treated in the absence of oxygen to minimize the action of tannins, that is, its astringency. It is eaten in pieces, without skin, like an apple. The Khaki Ribera del Júcar It is a protected designation of origin. A select club to which only the original Persimon can belong.

Grapefruit, a bittersweet treasure

Is rich in vitaminas A, B, PP, C, in antioxidant carotenoids, phosphorus, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, folic, citric and formic acid, water and proteins. It contains very few sugars and is highly digestive. There is more than one reason to include grapefruit in our diet.

Starting the day like this is undoubtedly a great luxury. Belonging to the great citrus family, the grapefruit has perhaps a single defect: its moderately bitter taste. However, there are several types of this fruit, the yellow being less sweet than the pink or red varieties.

Pineapple, exotic luxury

Tropical treasure par excellence, the pineapple caused in Europe, back in the XNUMXth century, almost as much sensation as the discovery of the New World. By its peculiar shape, pineapple it slipped into the most disparate artistic representations and in the XNUMXth century it was preserved in sugar to travel to European tables as the most exotic of luxuries.

The “fever” for this fruit rich in vitamin C, fiber, iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus it later spread to China, the Philippines and the island of Java. It seems that by the end of the XNUMXth century, planting pineapples in greenhouses became an eccentric fashion for the English nobility, and pineapples grown in Britain were being sold in the markets at exorbitant prices.

Currently, the Italian multinational GF Group, which is dedicated to the import and distribution of fruit and vegetable products, markets under the brand name Flli. Orsero pineapples and bananas with Extra Premium quality. As a novelty in the world of delicatessen, the artisan brand Miren’s Mother make an original jam with Orsero pineapple and saffron Dop la mancha. The 180 gr jar can be purchased for 5 euros on its website and in specialized stores.

Aroma and essence “limited edition”: bergamot

La Bergamot It is a citrus fruit with a seductive aroma and a real jewel for health. Almost all of the world production of this fruit is concentrated in a small strip of land in Calabria, a region in southern Italy. A rare commodity, which has rightly earned the nickname of “Green gold”.

Highly demanded Since always in cosmetics, perfumery, the food industry and confectionery (it is the essential ingredient in Earl Gray tea), bergamot is also a great ally against cholesterol and takes care of good heart health.

It is harvested in winter, it is edible, but impossible to eat fresh. Better in juice or jam. Its essence, which is extracted from the skin, is your most precious asset. The origin of this fruit is mysterious: according to some it would come from China, according to others from the Canarian city of Berga.

Kiwi, a concentrate of vitamin C

El Kiwi It came to the West from Japan or, according to some, from China, at the end of the XNUMXth century and for a time it was more appreciated as an ornamental plant (its flowers are small scented roses and its leaves are similar to the vine) than as a fruit. At the beginning of the XNUMXth century, it landed in New Zealand, where a large part of the world production of this fruit now comes from.

Also called “Chinese gooseberry”, kiwi is a concentrate of vitamin C, fibers, antioxidants And apparently it can be used as a soothing lip balm. Apart from the classic variety with bright green flesh and acidic flavor, there are varieties of Kiwi sweeter or yellow flesh and tropical flavor.

Tangerine, the perfect citrus

Sweet, scented, easy to peel and eat. Tangerine is, so to speak, a perfected version of orange, perhaps the most pleasant of all citrus fruits. It is also native to Asia and rich in vitamin A, C and group B, magnesium, water, potassium, calcium, mineral salts, among other things. It is reputed to cleanse the body of lead, a characteristic that has earned it the nickname of organic fruit. It is eaten fresh, candied or in jam.

LoRuSSo, a small “limited edition” jam factory, produces an organic mandarin jam that has won the silver medal in the last edition of the World’s Original Marmalade Awards In England. A 175 g glass jar of this delicacy exceeds 6 euros. Of course, we will have to wait for January to try it, because at the moment it is sold out.

Welcoming the new year with twelve grapes

In Spain the new year is greeted with twelve grapes. It is not surprising that in the hours that precede the chimes, this fruit becomes a luxury good. Native to the Caucasus and Mediterranean by adoption, the grape is the perfect fruit to celebrate life. It is rich in water and sugars, as well as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, vitamins A, B and C and zinc, among others.

In the world there are hundreds of varieties of this fruit, whose names sound like some of the most select wines on the planet. I said, the perfect snack to celebrate the new beginnings.