Babaco -Tropical
Babacois a fruit which looks like Papaya and has a unique flavour. This fruit does not have seeds and has a soft outer covering. The shape of this fruit is cylindrical. Babaco tastes delicious when it is eaten raw or in the form of a shakes, smoothies, sauces or salsa. This fruit is originated from the regions of South America and is a very popular fruit of this country. Babaco has a yellowish colour with juicy flesh thatgives significant health benefits. In this article we will talk about fifteen health benefits of this amazing fruit.Babaco is a torpedo shaped fruit with a frothy flesh hence it is also called the champagne fruit whose scientific name is Carica pentagona Heilborn and Caricaceae.
Related Species: Papayuelo, Orange Papaya, Papaya.
Distant Affinity: Papaya Orejona , Mamao
Flowers: Flowers form on the newly developing trunk during the growth phase of the tree. Usually the thicker the trunk, the more prolific the flowering will be. The flowers, usually solitary on the end of a long pendulous stalk, arise from every leaf axil. The flowers are all female.
Foliage: The moderately large, palmate leaves have prominent ribs and veins and are on long hollow petioles that radiate from the trunk. The average life of a leaf is 4 to 6 months. During the cold winter months the leaves degenerate and are gradually shed.
Culture
Foliage: The moderately large, palmate leaves have prominent ribs and veins and are on long hollow petioles that radiate from the trunk. The average life of a leaf is 4 to 6 months. During the cold winter months the leaves degenerate and are gradually shed.
Culture
Location: Babacos like a warm location protected from winds. They will grow and fruit in shady locations but prefer a sunny spot. The smallish plants fit nicely in many parts of the yard, and with their broad green leaves and vertically held fruit add an exotic touch to the landscape.
Soils: Babacos prefer a light, fertile, well-drained soil. Although not as fussy about cold, wet soils as the papaya, the plants perform best in moderately dry winter conditions. Like papayas, the babaco does not tolerate salty water or soil.
Irrigation: Adequate rainfall or irrigation is essential during the growing phase of the babaco. A plant that has been injured by frost is susceptible to root rot.
Fertilization: During the growing season the babaco needs regular applications of nitrogen fertilizers. Feed monthly and adjust to the plant's response. Composted chicken manure makes a good mulch.
Climate: The babaco thrives in a cool subtropical climate, free of frost. In California it grows in coastal areas of the southern part of the state and with some protection as far north as the San Francisco Bay area. With some shade it will grow in the warmer interior regions, but high temperatues and low humidity may result in sunburned fruit and immature fruit drop. The babaco is much more tolerant of cool, damp winters than the papaya. It will withstand temperatures to about 28° F, although it may lose most of its leaves. The babaco is ideally suited to container culture and also excellent for greenhouses.
Growth Habits: The babaco is a small, herbaceous shrub, that grows to about 6 feet in height, with an erect softwood trunk lined with leaf scars typical of other caricas. The plant rarely branches but shoots often appear around the base. The thickness of the trunk is associated with the vigor of the plant.
Propagation: Since babacos are seedless, they must be propagated asexually. Wood for propagation is taken from the parent plant by cutting the entire trunk diagonally about 1 foot from the ground and making 1 foot cutting lengths from it. This should be done after fruiting but before the next flush of growth. The cuttings are then dipped in a fungicide bath and the rooting end dipped in a rooting hormone. The cuttings are then set vertically in a low-moisture medium such as sand or sandy loam to form callouses. With the first sign of roots and the beginnings of new leaves, they can be planted out, about 8 inches below ground level. Within 15 months these new plants are producing fruit.
Pests and diseases: It is important to start with virus-free material. During moist spells fungal diseases can affect the leaves, but this is seldom a problem in California. Other diseases include powdery mildew and Phytophthora root rot. The major pests affecting the babaco are the two spotted mite, Tetranychus uraticae and the strawberry mite, Tetranychus atlanticus. Control can be difficult since most miticides are phytotoxic to babaco leaves. Predatory mites do give reasonable control. Slugs and the California brown snail can damage the fruit and must be controlled. The plants are attractive to deer who will consume most of the foliage and young fruits.
Health Benefits of BabacoSoils: Babacos prefer a light, fertile, well-drained soil. Although not as fussy about cold, wet soils as the papaya, the plants perform best in moderately dry winter conditions. Like papayas, the babaco does not tolerate salty water or soil.
Irrigation: Adequate rainfall or irrigation is essential during the growing phase of the babaco. A plant that has been injured by frost is susceptible to root rot.
Fertilization: During the growing season the babaco needs regular applications of nitrogen fertilizers. Feed monthly and adjust to the plant's response. Composted chicken manure makes a good mulch.
Climate: The babaco thrives in a cool subtropical climate, free of frost. In California it grows in coastal areas of the southern part of the state and with some protection as far north as the San Francisco Bay area. With some shade it will grow in the warmer interior regions, but high temperatues and low humidity may result in sunburned fruit and immature fruit drop. The babaco is much more tolerant of cool, damp winters than the papaya. It will withstand temperatures to about 28° F, although it may lose most of its leaves. The babaco is ideally suited to container culture and also excellent for greenhouses.
Growth Habits: The babaco is a small, herbaceous shrub, that grows to about 6 feet in height, with an erect softwood trunk lined with leaf scars typical of other caricas. The plant rarely branches but shoots often appear around the base. The thickness of the trunk is associated with the vigor of the plant.
Propagation: Since babacos are seedless, they must be propagated asexually. Wood for propagation is taken from the parent plant by cutting the entire trunk diagonally about 1 foot from the ground and making 1 foot cutting lengths from it. This should be done after fruiting but before the next flush of growth. The cuttings are then dipped in a fungicide bath and the rooting end dipped in a rooting hormone. The cuttings are then set vertically in a low-moisture medium such as sand or sandy loam to form callouses. With the first sign of roots and the beginnings of new leaves, they can be planted out, about 8 inches below ground level. Within 15 months these new plants are producing fruit.
Pests and diseases: It is important to start with virus-free material. During moist spells fungal diseases can affect the leaves, but this is seldom a problem in California. Other diseases include powdery mildew and Phytophthora root rot. The major pests affecting the babaco are the two spotted mite, Tetranychus uraticae and the strawberry mite, Tetranychus atlanticus. Control can be difficult since most miticides are phytotoxic to babaco leaves. Predatory mites do give reasonable control. Slugs and the California brown snail can damage the fruit and must be controlled. The plants are attractive to deer who will consume most of the foliage and young fruits.
Healthy Gums
Babaco is a rich source of very important nutrients like iron, protein, thiamine, calcium,sodium, magnesium and fat. Vitamin C in it helps in keeping gums healthy and strong. Any type of gum related problems like loosening of gum, infection, damaged gums, etc. are easily treated by consuming this fruit.
Babaco is a rich source of very important nutrients like iron, protein, thiamine, calcium,sodium, magnesium and fat. Vitamin C in it helps in keeping gums healthy and strong. Any type of gum related problems like loosening of gum, infection, damaged gums, etc. are easily treated by consuming this fruit.
Keep Teeth Healthy
Babaco is very effective and useful in preserving the health of teeth. It is a good source of calcium which keeps teeth healthy, diseased free and strong.
Babaco fruit exhibits remarkable properties in treating variety of skin infections like eczema, skin burn, redness,inflammations etc.
Helps In Digestion
Babacois vital for your digestive system. It has large amounts of a very beneficial digestive enzyme called as papain. This enzyme helps in disintegrating proteins compounds and makes the process much simpler. This enzyme is extracted from the fruit and available in the form of chewable tablet. These tablets work as an effective digestive supplement.
Babacois vital for your digestive system. It has large amounts of a very beneficial digestive enzyme called as papain. This enzyme helps in disintegrating proteins compounds and makes the process much simpler. This enzyme is extracted from the fruit and available in the form of chewable tablet. These tablets work as an effective digestive supplement.
Control Heart Rate
Babaco shows wonderful properties in regulating the heart rate in a person. It has good amounts of Potassium which helps in nullifying the harmful effects of sodium in the body fluids and thereby controls heart rate efficiently.
Healthy Skin
Being a rich source of skin nourishing vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, it helps in providing healthy and glowing skin. It also prevents premature ageing signs in skin and gives a youthful appearance naturally.
Better Vision
As vitamin A is found in large quantities in this fruit, it makes it good for improving eye sight in a person. The yellow colour of this fruit is due to beta carotene. This ingredient is important to maintain a good health of eyes. Intake of this fruit helps in getting rid of various eye sight related problems like myopia, night blindness, cataract, glaucoma etc.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is very crucial aspect in various health problems like heart diseases, diabetes, thyroid, cholesterol, anxiety etc. Babaco helps in balancing the levels of blood pressure in a person and keeps them within admissible limits.
Low In Calories And Fat
Babaco is a fruit which is low in fat and carbohydrates. This helps in generation of fewer calories in the body. Based on the research it has been found that 100 grams of this fruit provides you only 21 calories.
Babaco is a fruit which is low in fat and carbohydrates. This helps in generation of fewer calories in the body. Based on the research it has been found that 100 grams of this fruit provides you only 21 calories.
Use of Babaco:
We can use babaco in many aspect of life.
Give business area
As skin medicine
Babaco has advantage to treat skin disease. Babaco in America is used for skin disease medicines.
As cosmetic and skin care
It is not only for skin medicine, babaco can build collagen in our body. So, this fruit can become material of cosmetic and skin care. Collagen from babaco can make our skin smoother and avoid from premature aging like wrinkle on face and body. If babaco consume regularly, it will give you big effect for your skin.
Give business area
Indirectly, the fruit that only grew at highland give business area for people in that area. Babaco can be useful as foodstuff. It can become many foods such as jam, candy, syrup, chip and dodol. People make home industry to process babaco and sell it.
As skin medicine
Babaco has advantage to treat skin disease. Babaco in America is used for skin disease medicines.
As cosmetic and skin care
It is not only for skin medicine, babaco can build collagen in our body. So, this fruit can become material of cosmetic and skin care. Collagen from babaco can make our skin smoother and avoid from premature aging like wrinkle on face and body. If babaco consume regularly, it will give you big effect for your skin.
Give freshness
Babaco that has been processed or not will give freshness for our body because its taste is so tasty. Babaco that has not been processed is not tastier than babaco that has been processed because its taste is sour. Most of people love babaco that has been processed.
Babaco that has been processed or not will give freshness for our body because its taste is so tasty. Babaco that has not been processed is not tastier than babaco that has been processed because its taste is sour. Most of people love babaco that has been processed.
