The ackee, also known as achee, ackee apple or akee (Blighia sapida) is a member of the Sapindaceae (soapberry family), as are the lychee and the longan. It is native to tropical West Africa in Cameroon, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Ackee, national fruit of Jamaica is a fruit that is yellow in color with black seeds. The edible fruit also known as aril is used in many cuisines. Treated like a vegetable in cooking its vivid red color on the outside, when ripped turns into yellow.
The name Ackee is derived from the West African name "Akye Fufo", in general, the tree is a tropical evergreen tree that grows as tall as 40 feet. Rich in essential fatty acids, the fruit may be colored anywhere from straw to bright red. Allowing it to open and ripen naturally will be an added benefit. The fruit splits open while still on the tree to let slip 3 dead flat black seeds encircled by a thick, oily, yellow aril. They are also rich in vitamin A, zinc, and protein.
What are the Health Benefits of Ackee Apple Fruit
The Ackee Fruit must be fully ripe and split open to be edible, otherwise it’s toxic.Ackee Fruit is full of fatty acids; in fact over 50% of the fatty acids are linoleic, stearic, and palmitic acids. Ackee Fruit are Full of Omega 6 oils, and it would be good to augment the Omega 6 oils with fish oil that has Omega 3 fatty acids too.
Ackee Fruits do not contain any cholesterol or saturated fats.
Ackee Fruit is high in protein, full of good energy producing carbs, and great B and C Vitamins, Zinc, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Calcium. Ackee Fruit is low in calories, high in fiber, and low in carbs too!
The pods of the Ackee Fruit can be used instead of soap for washing clothes, used in cosmetics, and the seeds can be made into natural pesticides.
Ackee Fruit tastes like scrambled eggs and most Jamaicans love to boil Ackee Fruit and add salt and a little bit of cod fish and oil for a great tasting meal. You can also curry Ackee with shrimp, add cheese, or have Ackee with crab and many more dishes.
Enjoy! I hope this article adding you more clarity.
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