Ever come across a dark purple coloured mysterious-looking fruit in an exotic fruit mart or a grocery store? If you are wondering what is it, this lavender-looking lovely fruit is popularly called Akebi in Japanese and Akebia in English with very interesting facts and a peculiar taste.
Akebia is a climbing evergreen shrub in the Lardizabalaceae family primarily native to East Asia but specifically adored by the Japanese for ages due to its taste, health benefits, and culinary incentives. The fruit that was not known to the rest of the world until a few decades ago is now gaining popularity across the globe for its hidden array of properties it possesses. The luscious fruit that goes by the scientific name Akebia Quinata signifies the arrival of autumn and has umpteen benefits. Mostly vine or dense purple, the shape of the fruit varies depending on the variety and its place of cultivation. In some places, it is also called a chocolate vine perhaps due to the mild chocolate fragrance that this fruit exudes upon ripening. Besides having its blossoms with a soothing chocolate aroma, sometimes due to the brownish-hued flowers, akebia has become popular as the chocolate vine.
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A native to the northern Tohoku region of Japan where the fruit was first discovered by the local people, many people still consider purple akebia fruit as the princess of the mountains. The fruit that resembles a white dragon fruit has a wild variety that has been growing naturally in the forests, but the cultivated variety has only been available across the globe in the last few decades. The fruit flesh is still an extremely popular snack among the village folk even used in several other food items. Purple akebia can be easily found (in limited quantities though) at markets and grocers in Japan, China, and Korea. Due to its growing popularity, the fruit is also being grown across Europe, New Zealand, and many states of the United States. Another popular and interesting notion about this fruit is that it is believed to be the vehicle that could carry spirits of ancestors to and from this world to another world during certain months of the year!
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The Akebi Plant
Akebia is a deciduous vine that thrives in dense forests along streams, on mountain slopes, at forest edges, and on stream banks. The vine can grow up to as high as fifty feet. The stems of this vine are green when young but turn light brown and woody when they are fully grown up. The vine is cylindrical with small, prominent lenticels that are ring-shaped. It has slender twigs and small buds and bears a lavender or dense purple fruit semi-sweet flavor and chocolate-smelling aromatic flowers. Initially, they appear light green but turn purple with light lovely speckles on the petals. The leaves of the plant tend to grow along the stems or on the small branchlets and are divided into three to four or more likely into five or a maximum of seven leaflets. Not many know that the sturdy vines of the plant are woven together to make natural-looking baskets and bags. The seeds are pressed to create aromatic oils with immense healing benefits. Various herbal medicines that have antiseptic, diuretic, and cold-preventative properties are also made and have been used in Chinese medicine to treat many mild to severe diseases. The ripe fruit has thick, semi-firm skin that feels soft when sloshed. The fruit is highly perishable and should be used immediately when ripe for the best flavor.
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Some of the common vernacular names of the plant include the following:
- English: Chocolate vine, Five-leaf akebia, Raisin vine, Five-leaf
- Bulgarian: Akebiya kuinata
- Chinese: Mu tong bai mu tong
- Danish: Femfingret akebia
- Dutch: Klimbes and Schijnaugurk
- German: Fingerblattrige akebie, fuenfblaettrige akebie
- Hungarian: Otlevelkeju akebia
- Japanese: Akebi, yusura
- Finnish: Akebia, Kastanjakoynnos, Rinneakebia
- French: Akebie a cinq feuilles, Akebia, feuilles
- Korean: Euleum
- Swedish: Fembladig akebia
- Lithuanian: Penkialape akebija
- Turkish: Cikolata sarmasigi
- Netherlands: Klimbes, schijnaugurk
- Polish: Akebia pięciolistkowa
- Russian: Akebia kuinata, Shokoladova loza
- Serbian: Petosilna akebija
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Nutritional Content Of Akebia
A little difficult to procure, this lovely-looking fruit is laden with nutritional value and has all the essential nutrients that can help the body to stay in the pink of health. Purple Akebi is a good source of Vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants that can protect the body against environmental as well as oxidative stress and let the body stay disease free. The fruit also contains a combination of zinc and important B vitamins. All these can help strengthen the immune system. This pulpy fruit also provides calcium and protein besides ample dietary fiber to keep digestive health in place and carbohydrates. High in potassium, the chocolate vine is fabulous for good heart contractions and optimum bone health.
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Health Benefits Of Akebia Quinats
The plant is laden with anti-inflammatory properties and boasts many health benefits which is why it is one of the most sought-after fruits in all the markets. The following health benefits can be derived from every part of this fruit:
Helps Weight Loss: Akebia fruits contain a significant amount of fiber content that is ideal for weight loss thus it is consumed by weight watchers.
Cures Liver Diseases: Being a good anti-inflammatory agent Chocolate vine also helps to detox and soothe the liver.
Manages Painful Urinary Infections: Akebi also works very well for helping to get rid of painful urinary tract infections
Increases Circulation: Chocolate vine increases circulation to all parts of the body and helps to keep the heart strong and heart ailments at bay
Prevents Cancer: Akebi has anti-cancer and anti-tumor agents with certain properties which help to fight harmful cancer-producing cells in the body and reduce the chances of developing different types of cancers.
Cure Bacterial Infections: The chocolate vine is also a good antibiotic herb for getting rid of bacterial infections that could be a host to various health problems.
Heals Mouth Sores: The plant used as a tea is also great for treating mouth sores and mouth ulcers.
Treats Skin Woes: This herb also works well for skin rashes, eczema, skin irritations, pain, and swelling of the skin.
Lowers Fevers: Chocolate vine roots can be made into a tea that works wonders for reducing many types of fevers.
Good To Relieve Headaches: Chocolate vine also helps with migraine headaches when taken as an herbal infusion and tea.
Soothes Arthritis-Borne Pain: The fruit is loaded with very good anti-inflammatory agents which help with arthritis and bone-related ailments. It can also soothe all kinds of joint-related pain.
Helps Get Rid Of Water Retention: Akebi is a very good diuretic that helps to shed excess water in the body thus letting the body be clear of urinary disorders and stimulating the urination process.
Powerful Pain Reliever: The dried stems are made into a tea or taken as herbal infusions that are very good for getting rid of all sorts of body pain.
Induces Menstruation: This wholesome herb also helps to bring about monthly periods thus regulating the menstruation process.
Increases Immunity: Chocolate vine or akebia helps with general feelings of weakness helping to strengthen the body and increase the immune system.
Promotes Skin Health: Akebi fruit helps fight free radicals in the body, thus aiding the skin glow and promoting the overall health of the skin and even hair.
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Culinary Uses Of Akebi Fruit
Akebi is a very versatile fruit and becomes a part of any dish it is added to. The flesh can be scooped straight from a spoon, or it can be sliced open and slurped directly from its purple pod. Though it is most often savored as raw, all parts of the plant are used in some or the other form. It can be widely used in cooking or curried and can be transformed into a delicious snack or a meal. Purple akebia also works very well when it is used for frying, sauteing, or even grilling. The leaves of this herb are used medicinally by being steeped into teas. The rind of the plant has a tad bit bitter taste. It can be stuffed and even deep-fried. The pulp is mixed with lemon juice and other ingredients to make smoothies and other delectable beverages. Young shoots are used in various salads or for pickling purposes. The skin of the fruit despite being bitter is relished and the leaves are dried and used as tea. The fruit is also used to make wine.
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Akebi Smoothie
Ingredients
1 cup of akebia pulp
2 cups of water
1 tbsp of squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp granulated sugar or honey
Few ice cubes (optional)
Method
Remove the seeds from the akebi
Mix the pulp in a few drops of water
Whisk the lemon juice and sugar together until the sugar has melted if you are not using honey
If using honey, add it at the end
Combine with ice cubes and serve cold
Nutrition
This simple smoothie has akebia as a key ingredient and thus it packs a punch of essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamins, phosphorus, and zinc. Since it also has lemon juice, the smoothie is rich in Vitamin C which helps to fight oxidative stress and keep immunity levels strong.
Akebi Jam
Ingredients
400 grams of akebia pulp
Granulated sugar or sugar syrup
Lemon juice as desired or 2 tbsp
Method
Scoop the flesh and seeds of the akebia carefully and keep them aside
In another pan mix and heat about half the amount of granulated sugar adding the lemon juice
Add half the amount of akebia pulp, granulated sugar, and lemon juice to a pan and cook over low heat
Add the other half of the granulated sugar and keep cooking slowly
Put the other half of the granulated sugar in a pan and continue to cook
Keep cooking until the sugar melts and it becomes transparent
A smooth dense mixture should be formed
Let it cool down completely
After it has cooled completely shift to a bottle
When storing in a freezer by tightly close the lid
If it is frozen, it will be stored for a long time, and even if it is frozen, it will not harden
Whenever needed scoop it with a spoon and sprinkle it on your favorite delicacy
