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Prickly Pears Nutrition
and Health Benefits
It is certainly worth noting some
important facts about the nutritional value of these
particular types of Prickly Pears. Although the brightly colored
pears which are red - purple in color, are small, its
contents is very powerful and will provide many health
benefits. There are around 42 calories in one
prickly pear. The benefits and nutritional value of Prickly Pears is high as the fruit provides a high
content of magnesium, fiber and vitamin C. The amount of
fibre in just one cacti fruit can help the digestive
system to function better, as it can encourage bowel
movement, which can result in careful weight loss as
part of a healthy diet.
Prickly Pears Nutrition: Calories and Nutritional
Value
The flesh and juice of Prickly Pears are low in calories,
and an exceptional, nutritional and delicious tasting fruit. The amount of calories
in Prickly Pears depends on the method the
fruit is served, for example if the fruit is
served in syrup, obviously it will contain more calories.
This fruit is extremely low in fat, with only a trace. The
following calorie guide can be used to calculate the
amount of prickly pear calories:
Nutritional Data:
Calories in Prickly Pears per unit:
Prickly pear calories- 48 calories per pear |
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Prickly
Pears Nutrition: Facts
and Health and Benefits
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Nutrition Fact: There are more
than 5000 named varieties of pears, however, this
particular types is very unique as it doesn't grow
from a tree as with normal varieties. This fruit,
which is sometimes known as a fig, grows from a
cactus - a very prickly cacti at that, hence the
name of these special pears.
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Nutrition Fact: Some
people believe prickly pears are magical as their
health benefits are quite considerable - they are
known as cactus medicine!
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Nutrition Fact: Prickly Pears are becoming widely available
for purchase across the world - with the spikes removed!
Their popularity is increasing as people come to
recognize this healthy exotic fruit which is packed
with nutrition
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Prickly
Pears Nutrition: Health Benefits and Information
The picture
below is of a prickly pear cactus plant otherwise known by
the name Opuntia. This cacti produces a red rounded
fruits called the prickly pears. There are spikes on
this cactus which detach very easily, therefore, it
is of paramount importance that great care is taken
when picking prickly Prickly Pears from the cactus! Thick
leather gloves are a must to completely protect the hands!
It's safer to obtain cactus fruit from a shop or
market where the spikes have been removed.
Prickly
Pears Nutrition: Picking
Fruit from a
Cactus
This picture
was taken in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands where
this type of prickly cactus is commonly grown. Prickly Pears
are also grown in many other areas of the worlds including much
of America. It's widely known by other names
including the cactus fruit, cactus
fig, or tuna in Spanish (this type of pear is grown
in many Spanish speaking countries). The cacti spikes (glochids) must
be removed before the Prickly Pears can be peeled and
eaten.
There are lots of these little barbs, so it's
very important to remove them all. This can be simply done
just by rolling the fruit
on the ground or in sand. This cacti fruit provides
excellent tasting juice which is a little similar to
water melon, quite difficult to define as the flavor
is very distinctive - it tastes
wonderful nonetheless and is often used in recipes such as
jellies, candies and alcohol such as vodka. The
juice makes a wonderful addition to salads also as a
dressing. The little red prickly pears grows on the nopales
cactus.
Prickly
Pears Nutrition: Peeling
Cactus Pears
Once you have followed the
instructions above to completely remove the Prickly
Pears spikes, you are ready to peel away the skin.
Slice the prickly pear at both ends, discarding the
ends. Cut the prickly pears on one side only, lengthways
- be careful not to cut into the flesh too deeply as
this is only to remove its skin. Pull carefully on one
side of the slice by slipping your finger underneath the
skin. Completely peel away the cactus pears skin. |
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Prickly
Pears Nutrition: Cutting Cactus Pears
Once you have completely peeled the
cactus fruit, you will be left with the edible part of
the prickly pear. The flesh contains lots of seeds which
are edible if you want to eat them. Prickly pears can be
eaten as they are now, simply cut them up and serve.
Otherwise, you may prefer to juice the fruit, in which
case, follow the next set of instructions.
Prickly
Pears Nutrition: Cactus Pears Juice Nutritional
Value
Once you have peeled the cacti pear,
you can extract the delicious juice. This can be done by
simply putting the prickly pears into a food processor
or blender until its totally liquefied. Sieve the juice
afterwards to ensure all pips, seeds and pulp are
removed. Use a fine sieve and push the liquid through.
It will take approximately 4 prickly pears to make a
glass of juice. Prickly pear juice is delicious mixed
with lemonade! |
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Health
experts and nutritionists believe that a well-balanced
diet that includes at least five portions of fruit and
vegetables per day will help to considerably improve our
lifestyles and ultimately extend our lives |
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