What came first - the kiwi fruit or the kiwi bird? Fruit composition and beneficial properties.
It would be great to have a magical fruit that would have beneficial properties for the treatment and prevention of a wide variety of health problems. Isn't it true?
Just recently, my daughter and I visited a pediatric gastroenterologist, professor. He advised including… kiwi in the child’s diet as often as possible.
Just a few weeks later I heard the same advice from the dentist. I innocently considered cottage cheese and fish to be the most useful products for strengthening teeth enamel. But the doctor recommended eating kiwi to prevent caries.
After this, it was decided to understand all the properties of this overseas product.
Historical background
The birthplace of kiwi is China, where the Mihutao vine, the ancestor of the fruit, grows. The name “kiwi” itself comes from the flightless bird kiwi, which is similar in appearance to this fruit, and is even a symbol of New Zealand, where the fruit grows.
Currently, kiwi is grown in many countries around the world: New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Greece, Japan, Iran, Chile, USA and Russia ( Krasnodar region). It is thanks to this that we can purchase kiwi at any time of the year.
Composition and beneficial properties
Almost 85% of kiwi consists of water, about 10% is carbohydrates, 1% is proteins, and less than 1% is fat. Its energy value is 48 kilocalories per 100 grams.This exotic fruit contains a large amount of vitamins. Due to the certain acidity of the fruit pulp, most of them are not destroyed during preservation. Therefore, the benefits of compote, jam, and kiwi jelly are obvious.
There is twice as much vitamin C in kiwi as in citrus fruits and bell peppers (92 mg per 100 grams of product). Its regular consumption helps prevent acute respiratory diseases and strengthen the immune system.
Vitamin E, usually found in high-calorie foods (nuts, butter), may be useful here for those on a low-calorie diet.
Kiwi contains useful micro- and macroelements such as iron, zinc, manganese, iodine, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. That is why the dentist recommended this fruit! In addition, these microelements strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries, reducing the risk of thrombosis, atherosclerosis and hypertension.
The gastroenterologist's recommendation is apparently due to the fact that kiwi contains a unique enzyme - actinidin, which promotes the breakdown of proteins, has a beneficial effect on the entire human digestive system, and normalizes the level of blood clotting.
Kiwi is best consumed at the end of a meal. It relieves the feeling of heaviness in the stomach and reduces the likelihood of heartburn. During a large feast, do not forget about this beneficial property of the fruit!
Kiwi is rich in vitamin B9 ( folic acid) and B6, which means it should definitely be included in the diet of a pregnant woman. Kiwi is also useful for nursing mothers, children and the elderly. In a word, the whole family should eat it.
At large physical activity, stress, depression, unbalanced state of the nervous system, experts recommend consuming several kiwi fruits daily.
Kiwi is not high in sugar, so it is recommended for people with diabetes.
Youth and beauty
Don't throw away the kiwi peel. It can be used as a toning and rejuvenating mask. When finished, apply a light moisturizer.
It has been noticed that kiwi prevents early appearance gray hair
Contraindications
However, before purchasing kilograms of kiwi, do not forget to check your personal tolerance to this useful product. After all, kiwi can cause allergies. For children and adults trying kiwi for the first time, it is better to start with a minimal portion. Before applying the kiwi mask to your face, try it on back side hand a small applique of fruit.
Kiwi has a laxative effect, so it is not recommended for use as food. This fruit is also contraindicated for people suffering from gastritis with high stomach acidity and stomach ulcers.
If no adverse reaction is observed, you can safely increase the portions!
Dishes with kiwi
Kiwi goes well with fish, white meats and various seafood. Various salads and sauces are prepared from it, used as a dessert, an additive to baked goods and ice cream.We bring to your attention recipes for simple and quick-to-prepare dishes with kiwi.
Pie with kiwi filling
For the test: flour – 200 g, egg – 1 piece, sugar – 60 g, butter – 100 g.For the filling: kiwi – 5 pcs., egg – 2 pcs., sugar – 100 g, sour cream – 4 tbsp., cream 33-35% – 100 ml.
Preparing shortbread dough. Place the base in the refrigerator for 10 minutes and bake at 180 degrees. within 20 minutes. Cool the base. Post it? part of the chopped kiwi, pour in a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, sour cream and cream. Bake for 30 minutes, remove and add the remaining kiwis, bake for another 10 minutes. Let cool so that the cake can be cut well. It turns out to be a savory pie with a sweet and sour filling!
Beat kiwi and banana in a blender, add cream, yogurt or milk to taste. We get a tasty and nutritious cocktail, rich in various vitamins and microelements. Pour into glasses and add cocktail straws. Children will definitely love this treat!
We prepare an easy-to-prepare dessert made from kiwi and curd and cream mass in 10-15 minutes. Cut the kiwi into the bottom of a glass glass, fill it with a whipped mixture of cottage cheese, cream cheese and cream (sour cream) with sugar, sprinkle with a layer corn sticks or grated cookies, then a small layer of kiwi and a layer of creamy mixture, a layer of corn sticks (cookies, grated waffles), on top of the dessert - a decoration of fruit, cookies, chocolate chips.
The information portal “Motherhood.ru” wishes you creative inspiration in using such a healthy fruit as kiwi during your summer holidays, outdoor holidays and your daily diet!
When creating the material, the basic recipes and photos from the site were used
Without wings, without a tail - surprisingly simple!
To be honest, it is difficult to recognize the bird in it. Why is it difficult? Yes, because she has no wings (except for five-centimeter stumps)! This wingless creature is the only representative of the flightless bird family.
But that's not all! She doesn't even have a tail. But the kiwi (bird) has a fairly long and strong beak, as well as very strong paws with sharp claws. Its short legs are spread wide apart, making the bird a terribly clumsy creature. Imagine, when she runs, she rolls from one side to the other, resembling some kind of living pendulum! The kiwi's plumage is rather dirty-colored, thick fur. In general, in appearance this creature looks more like a furry animal. However, there is also something of a heron in it - the neck apparently gives this resemblance. The kiwi has one more “trump card”, reminiscent of the habits of all birds without exception: during rest, they, like all other birds, hide their beak under their wing. This amazing creature lives only in New Zealand, being also its national symbol.
Lifestyle
The kiwi bird weighs about three kilograms, of which four-toed clawed feet make up a third of its total weight! She has rather poor eyesight and her eyes resemble those of a pig. That is why these creatures are forced to rely on developed hearing and an excellent sense of smell.
The long beak and sensitive vibrissae are an excellent help in searching for food. It is unlikely that you will be able to meet it during the day, because the kiwi is a nocturnal bird. Throughout the day, like moles, she hides in holes. When dusk falls, the kiwi comes out in search of food, as well as to walk around the nesting area. These creatures move slowly, sometimes staying in one place for a long time. Their “menu” is varied: fallen berries and other fruits, insects with their larvae, earthworms, amphibians. Kiwi is a family bird and lives in pairs with a male. She usually lays no more than two eggs. Males hatch them, but sometimes females come to replace them. When the chicks hatch, the adult birds move away from them. These creatures are long-lived among birds; the life span of a kiwi is from 40 to 60 years. They tend to choose damp evergreen forests as their habitats. There they have the opportunity to dig very deep holes, making shelter under the roots of trees.
"Mushroom" bird
Oddly enough, kiwi birds smell like mushrooms! The treacherous smell always plays a cruel joke on them, making them easy prey for predatory animals. Since the enemies of the kiwi were brought by people, they made it their task to correct the situation. Now the New Zealand government has allocated funding, and local scientists are developing a special “deodorant” for these birds.
Kiwi - the bird in law
Not only because of predators, but also because of the deforestation of New Zealand's forests, a sharp decline in the population of these creatures began to be noted. Now kiwis are under the strictest protection (since 1921) and are listed in the Red Book.
What came first - kiwi fruit or kiwi bird?
And this, of course, is a bird!
The fact is that the fruit was named after her because of the striking resemblance to the elongated and pubescent body of the bird, both in shape and color. In addition, the kiwi (fruit) is as furry as the kiwi (bird). The photo in which these “relatives” are captured together is proof of this. It is interesting that the company that presented the fruit had the same name as it and the bird, and its logo depicted a flightless bird.
Kiwi- the commonly used name for the fruits of cultivated plant varieties belonging to the genus Actinidia, the species Actinidia chinensis or Actinidia deliciosa. The plants themselves are large tree-like vines native to China. Sometimes kiwi is called Chinese gooseberry.
The kiwi plant got its name from the similarity of the shape of its pubescent fruit with the body of the bird of the same name. The company that first introduced this product to the market was called Kiwi. Its emblem depicted this flightless bird.
History of kiwi breeding
The wild actinidia had a fruit weight of only 30 g and was brought to New Zealand at the beginning of the 20th century. The cultivated large-fruited actinidia chinensis was bred in New Zealand; it differs from the original species not only in the multiply increased weight of the fruit (100 g or more), but also in better taste.
New Zealand breeders gave the name to the resulting “new” plant for the similarity of the shape of its pubescent fruit with the body of the New Zealand kiwi bird, which is the emblem of this country.
Now kiwi is grown in many countries with a subtropical climate, especially widely in Italy, Abkhazia, New Zealand, and Chile. From there, juicy medicinal fruits (containing a record amount of vitamin C and other biologically active substances) with soft green tasty pulp are transported all over the world. In Russia, there are experimental kiwi plantations on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory.
Fruit
The weight of an average kiwi fruit is 75 g, large fruits - up to 100 g.Kiwi is a berry. The flesh is usually green or yellow. There is a variety called Gold kiwi (“golden kiwi” or “yellow kiwi”).The high potassium content makes kiwi useful for some forms of hypertension and iodine deficiency.
Eating
When describing the taste of kiwi, they talk about the combination of aromas of gooseberries, strawberries, banana, melon, apple and pineapple. Kiwis are eaten fresh, made into jam, made into jelly, added to salads, and served with meat.There are plenty of recipes for desserts and drinks involving kiwi. Kiwi is suitable for filling pies; you can also make jams and marmalades from it; winemakers make liqueurs and wine from kiwi.
| Fresh kiwi fruits Nutritional value per 100 g of product |
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| Energy value 61 kcal 255 kJ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Just a dozen years ago, this fruit was something exotic for us, and its prices were high. Now its taste is familiar to everyone and everyone can buy it.
We are talking about kiwi, which got its name from the small kiwi bird, which has a long beak and cannot fly, but is very similar in appearance to this fruit.
Why kiwis are loved...
...doctors
Because it contains a lot useful components. First of all, this furry green ball is rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid). 100 g of fruit contains from 250 to 380 mg of vitamin C. More than in kiwi, it is not found in any other product. Ascorbic acid is actively involved in the metabolic process, strengthens blood vessels and the immune system, and increases the body's resistance to various infections. To provide the body with ascorbic acid, it is enough to eat even half a fruit a day. Such champion wealth also explains frequent allergies to kiwi: eating 2-3 fruits, we get a strong overdose of vitamin C. It becomes visible on the face, hands, where the rash appears. Therefore, kiwi is contraindicated for allergy sufferers. To avoid an overdose, you need to drink kiwi green tea, where there are many bioflavonoids that soften the effect of ascorbic acid.
In addition to ascorbic acid, kiwi contains a lot of magnesium, which ensures healthy heart function and calms nervous system, as well as iodine, which supports normal thyroid function. Kiwi is also high in fiber, which is known to help remove excess cholesterol from the body and normalize digestion.
…women
Firstly, the fair half of humanity loves kiwi because it has a minimum of calories and is considered a dietary product. And secondly, due to the fact that vitamins and organic acids of kiwi make the skin more elastic, toned and youthful. Here's how to use the miracle fruit for cosmetic purposes.
Cleansing mask
Mash 1 kiwi fruit into a puree. Do not dilute the resulting mass with anything; apply generously to your face. The mixture should slightly pinch the skin. Wash off the mask after 15 minutes. After this, wipe your face with toner and apply a non-greasy moisturizer.
Nourishing mask
Mash half a banana and 1 medium-sized kiwi fruit, mix the mixture thoroughly. To enhance the softening effect, add 2 tbsp. l. natural yogurt. Apply the mask to a previously cleansed face. Rinse off with warm water after 15-20 minutes. Wipe your face with lotion.
How to select and store
First, feel the fruit. If it is too hard, it means it has a bland taste and is not yet ripe. If the fruit is elastic to the touch, but not softened or shriveled, it means it can be eaten, it is quite juicy and sweet. Don't stop at feeling - smell the kiwi. The ripe fruit should give off the aroma of banana, strawberry and lemon. To preserve kiwi longer, wrap the fruit in plastic bag with holes. This way they can be stored in the refrigerator for about a month.
Many children and adults love the sour, refreshing kiwi. But do you know why this fruit is called that? Introducing the selection interesting facts about kiwi - be surprised with us!
Kiwi is tasty, healthy and interesting. Judge for yourself!
1. Kiwi has many names. Its homeland is China, it tastes a little like gooseberries, so until the 20th century it was called “Chinese gooseberries”. But in China they called it “monkey peach”: all because of the hairy skin. The fruit got its name by which we know it now in New Zealand. The government did not want to pay extra taxes during the Cold War, so they decided to name the fruit in their own way - especially since the main share of kiwi exports by that time was grown in New Zealand. The fruit was named after the kiwi bird, which is very similar to this unusual fruit.
2. Kiwi is the result of selection. About 80 years ago it was tasteless, and only thanks to the experiments of New Zealand farmers it became what it is now - moderately sour, juicy and pleasant to the taste.
3. Kiwi is a berry. In their homeland, China, kiwi was highly valued by emperors: they used it as an aphrodisiac.
4. Kiwi growing on a vine. This plant is one of the most unpretentious: garden pests and insects do not like it, so farmers do not have the concept of “kiwi crop failure.” The only thing the plant is sensitive to is weather conditions. It does not tolerate frost, and in extreme heat the vines must be kept in water: they can “drink” up to 5 liters per day!
5. Thanks to this Kiwi is 84% water. Because of this, its properties and low calorie content make kiwi very popular in various diets.
6. Kiwi is a very healthy product. Two average kiwi fruits contain more vitamin C than an orange, and they also have a lot of potassium - the same as one banana. And the quantity dietary fiber two kiwis are equivalent to a whole bowl of grain - thanks to this, kiwi can be consumed by people with diabetes.
7. The weight of kiwi is fixed. High-quality and ripe kiwi cannot weigh less than 70 and more than 100 grams. But in the wild, the fruits weigh only 30 grams.
8. You cannot make jelly from kiwi. It's all about enzymes: they break down gelatin and prevent it from hardening. However, if you still want kiwi jelly, try pouring boiling water over the fruit well: some vitamins will be destroyed, along with the enzymes, and the jelly will harden.
9. There is a golden kiwi. When cut, its flesh is not green, but bright yellow. This variety was developed in 1992 in New Zealand, and it quickly became popular despite its high price. But in China, breeders want to grow kiwi with red flesh - they have been working on a new variety for several years. Such varieties of kiwi are practically not exported to other countries - they are too expensive.