We all have gorged on red, crimson, green, and golden apples. How about trying a version of a black bright variety of this super fruit? From the small town of Nyingchi, located in the mountains of Tibet, lately, this graceful and rare apple variety has gained immense popularity. Black diamond apple or black apple, the fruit belongs to the family of Huaniu apples and goes by the scientific name Malus Domestica. Notable for its deep violet almost black hue, it has a distinct, sweet, and robust flavour. Boasting of several health benefits due to the presence of dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and of course a great taste, this rare apple can be a part of your breakfast, pushed into a fruit salad, or fitted into a mid-day snack.

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What Makes The Diamond Apple Black?

Fondly called a scorpion fruit, a super sweet and crunchy black apple gets this dark dense purplish black colour due to the unusual climatic conditions where it grows. Another variety of black diamond apple called Arkansas Black is found in the US. Their harvesting areas experience unpredictable temperature swings at night and extreme levels of ultraviolet light during the day. These factors impact the apple's skin and give the fruit its dark colour. Traditionally it is used in pies, eaten raw, or consumed as a juice. The fruit can also be dried and used to make vinegar and apple ciders. The leaves of this nutritious fruit can be boiled and used as an herbal drink.

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Health Benefits Of Black Diamond Apple

Like other apple varieties, the super nutritious black apples contain fiber, Vitamins B, and C, epicatechin, antioxidants, flavonoids, and Vitamin A. Here are some health benefits all these components provide:

Delays Ageing Signs: The fruit helps to fight the effects of free radicals linked to premature aging, wrinkles, dark spots, and fine lines.

Aids Healthy Digestive Function: Black diamond apple fruit contains pectin, a fibrous component that helps to maintain bowel regularity by promoting good bacteria in the gut.

Upkeeps Bone Health: Black apple fruit contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that can keep the bones strong and prevent bone health problems such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and bone cancer.

Promotes Healthy Skin: The powerful antioxidants in black diamond apple contain Vitamin C which can increase blood circulation and fight off acne-causing bacteria. It can also treat skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea.  The bark of the fruit contains antiseptic properties and is a remedy for several skin infections.

Good For Weight Loss: Black Apple fruit contains high water content. This helps to increase satiety and decrease appetite. This helps in refraining the person from overeating and aids weight loss.

Enhances Vision Health: Black apples are a fabulous source of Vitamin A which is crucial for eye health and prevents numerous eye visions. It can help to prevent age-related vision problems like macular degeneration, loss of vision, and cataract.

Improves Metabolism: Black apple fruit contains riboflavin, iron, and Vitamin B12. This helps to form red blood cells and absorb iron while fostering body tissue health.

Reduces Risk Of Heart Diseases: The presence of soluble fiber and polyphenol antioxidants in black apples can contribute to heart health by preventing unhealthy build-ups in the arteries and enhancing good blood flow to the heart.

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When it comes to making recipes from apples, there is no dearth of stuff that you can do with this nutrient-dense fruit. For starters,  try this simple and super nutritious recipe that will make you say that an apple a day certainly may keep the doctor away.

Black Apple And Banana Custard

Ingredients

1 medium-sized black apple

1 ripe banana

3 cups whole milk

5 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tbsp custard powder

1 tbsp chia seeds

A few pomegranate arils to garnish

Method

Heat the milk in a thick-bottomed pan

In a separate bowl, take 3 tablespoon warm milk from the boiled lot and add custard powder

Whisk well to make a smooth slurry and ensure there should be no lumps

When the rest of the milk has come to boil, add sugar and stir well

Add the custard paste in small portions

Keep adding more and stirring quickly so that lumps are not formed

Cook for about five minutes on a low heat until the mixture starts to thicken slowly

Let the custard cool down

Until the custard is set, chop the apple and banana

Once the custard has cooled, add them and mix well

Serve the custard garnished with the tiny pomegranate arils and chia seeds

Nutrition

Black apple has good amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber that are essential for bodily functions. The fruit is low in calories which prevents weight gain. Chia seeds are a good source of proteins that help in muscle health and banana is a great potassium source to keep bones healthy.