Pouteria campechiana

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  (Redirected from Canistel)

Canistel
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Sapotaceae
Genus:	Pouteria
Species:	P. campechiana
Binomial name
Pouteria campechiana Baehni
Synonyms
Lucuma campechiana Knuth

Two sliced Pouteria campechiana fruits.

The canistel (Pouteria campechiana) is an evergreen tree native to southern Mexico and Central America.^[1] It is cultivated in other countries, such as Brazil, Taiwan, and Vietnam for its fruit.

The canistel grows up to 10 meters (33 ft) high, and produces orange-yellow fruit, also called yellow sapote, up to 7 centimeters (2.8 in) long, which are edible raw. Canistel flesh is sweet, with a texture often compared to that of a cooked egg yolk, hence its colloquial name of "eggfruit." It is closely related to the Mamey sapote and abiu.

Contents   [hide]  1 Uses 2 Etymology 3 References 4 External links

Uses[edit]

The canistel displays climacteric fruit ripening. A fully mature fruit shows an intense yellow skin colour. It will eventually soften and drop from the tree. Surprisingly, the fruit flesh remains untouched by insects or birds, perhaps because of astringent principles, that are much reduced in senescent fruits, but still perceptible to the human palate. Apparently mature fruits severed from the tree while still hard often fail to develop the desired climacteric changes in terms of reduced astringency and a texture reminiscent of egg yolk. This and the fact that climacteric fruits quickly start to decay at ambient temperatures may have contributed to the low economic importance of the canistel, a fruit species that many regard as delicious, and easy to process.

As the related lucuma the canistel can be eaten out of hand. The fruit flesh blended with milk yields an attractive creamy shake or a more viscous, custard-like, mildly sweet and aromatic dessert.

Etymology[edit]

Its binomial name is derived from the Mexican town of Campeche, where it is native. It is sometimes (wrongly) referred to as Lucuma campechiana. In the Philippines it is called chesa. In Sri Lanka this fruit is known as Laulu, Lavulu or Lawalu.^[2] In Thailand it is known by different traditional popular names such as Lamut Khamen (ละมุดเขมร="Khmer Sapodilla") or Tho Khamen (ท้อเขมร="Khmer Peach"), attributing a hypothetic Cambodian origin to this fruit.^[3] Currently those names are officially discouraged and the name Mon Khai (ม่อนไข่), Khai meaning "egg", is favored.^[4]

The plant's name in the Vietnamese language is cây trứng gà (“chicken egg” plant) because of the fruit's appearance. It also has the Vietnamese namelekima. This is very unusual because Vietnamese is a tonal, isolating language whose morphemes all consist of a single syllable. It appears that this name derives from the word lucuma.

Silver carp

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Silver carp
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Genus:	Hypophthalmichthys
Species:	H. molitrix
Binomial name
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844)

The silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is a species of freshwater cyprinid fish, a variety of Asian carp native to north and northeast Asia. It is cultivated in China. Pound for pound, more silver carp are produced worldwide in aquaculture than any other species. They are usually farmed in polyculture with other Asian carps, or sometimes Indian carps or other species. It has been introduced to, or spread into via connected waterways, at least 88 countries around the world. The most common reason for importation was for use in aquaculture, but enhancement of wild fisheries and water quality control were also important reasons for importation.^[1]

Diet [edit]

The silver carp is a filter feeder, and possesses a remarkably specialized apparatus capable of filtering particles as small as 4 micrometers (µm). The gill rakers are fused into a sponge-like filter, and an epibranchial organ secretes mucus which assists in trapping small particles. A strong buccal pump forces water through this filter. Silver carp, like all Hypophthalmichthys species, have no stomachs; they are thought to feed more or less constantly, largely on phytoplankton; they also consume zooplankton and detritus. Because of their plankton-feeding habits, there is concern they will compete with native planktivorous fishes, which in North America include paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), and young fish of almost all species.

Because they feed on plankton, they are sometimes successfully used for controlling water quality, especially in the control of noxious blue-green algae(cyanobacteria). However, these efforts are sometimes not successful. Certain species of blue-green algae, notably the often toxic Microcystis, can pass through the gut of silver carp unharmed, and pick up nutrients while in the gut. Thus, in some cases, blue-green algae blooms have been exacerbated by silver carp. Also, Microcystis has been shown to produce more toxins in the presence of silver carp. These carp, which have natural defenses to their toxins, sometimes can contain enough algal toxins in their systems to become hazardous to eat.^[2]

Sport fishing 

Pear

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Pyrus" redirects here. For other uses, see Pyrus (disambiguation).

For other uses, see Pear (disambiguation).

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2007)

Pears European Pear branch with fruit Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Subfamily: Amygdaloideae[1] Tribe: Maleae Subtribe: Malinae Genus: Pyrus L. Species About 30 species; see text. Many varieties, such as the Nashi pear, are not "pear-shaped"

The pear is any of several tree and shrub species of genus Pyrus (pron.: /ˈpaɪrəs/), in the family Rosaceae. It is also the name of the pomaceous fruit of these trees. Several species of pear are valued by humans for their edible fruit, while others are cultivated as ornamental trees. The genus Pyrus is classified in subtribe Pyrinae within tribe Pyreae.

Storage

Pears may be stored at room temperature until ripe.^[14] Pears are ripe when the flesh around the stem gives to gentle pressure.^[14] Ripe pears are optimally stored refrigerated, uncovered in a single layer, where they have a shelf life of 2 to 3 days.^[14]

[edit]Uses

Gieser Wildeman simmered in red wine.

Pears are sometimes eaten dried

Pears are consumed fresh, canned, as juice, and dried. The juice can also be used in jellies and jams, usually in combination with other fruits or berries. Fermented pear juice is called perry or pear cider.

Pears ripen at room temperature. They will ripen faster if placed next to bananas in a fruit bowl.^[15]Refrigeration will slow further ripening. Pear Bureau Northwest offers tips on ripening and judging ripeness: Although the skin on Bartlett pears changes from green to yellow as they ripen, most varieties show little color change as they ripen. Because pears ripen from the inside out, the best way to judge ripeness is to "Check the Neck": apply gentle thumb pressure to the neck or stem end of the pear. If it yields to gentle pressure, then the pear is ripe, sweet, and juicy. If it is firm, leave the pear at room temperature and Check the Neck daily for ripeness.^[16]

The culinary or cooking pear is green but dry and hard, and only edible after several hours of cooking. Two Dutch cultivars are "Gieser Wildeman" (a sweet variety) and "Saint Remy" (slightly sour).^[17]

Pear wood is one of the preferred materials in the manufacture of high-quality woodwind instruments and furniture. It is also used for wood carving, and as a firewood to produce aromatic smoke for smoking meat or tobacco. Pear wood is valued for kitchen spoons, scoops and stirrers, as it does not contaminate food with color, flavor or smell, and resists warping and splintering despite repeated soaking and drying cycles. Lincoln^[18] describes it as "a fairly tough, very stable wood... (used for) carving... brushbacks, umbrella handles, measuring instruments such as set squares and T-squares... recorders... violin and guitar fingerboards and piano keys... decorative veneering." Pearwood is the favored wood for architect's rulers because it does not warp. It is similar to the wood of its relative, the apple tree, Pyrus malus (also called Malus domestica) and used for many of the same purposes.^[18]

Pear leaves were smoked in Europe before tobacco was introduced.^[19][20]

[edit]Health benefits

Pears, raw Pear, 'Alexander Lucas' Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 239 kJ (57 kcal) Carbohydrates 15.23 g - Sugars 9.75 g - Dietary fiber 3.1 g Fat 0.14 g Protein 0.36 g Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.012 mg (1%) Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.026 mg (2%) Niacin (vit. B3) 0.161 mg (1%) Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.049 mg (1%) Vitamin B6 0.029 mg (2%) Folate (vit. B9) 7 μg (2%) Choline 5.1 mg (1%) Vitamin C 4.3 mg (5%) Vitamin E 0.12 mg (1%) Vitamin K 4.4 μg (4%) Calcium 9 mg (1%) Iron 0.18 mg (1%) Magnesium 7 mg (2%) Manganese 0.048 mg (2%) Phosphorus 12 mg (2%) Potassium 116 mg (2%) Sodium 1 mg (0%) Zinc 0.1 mg (1%) Link to USDA Database entry Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Calligraphy of the "Basmala" phrase bismi-llāhi ar-raħmāni ar-raħīmi بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم in the form of a pear

Pears are a good source of dietary fiber and a good source of vitamin C. Most of the vitamin C, as well as the dietary fiber, is contained within the skin of the fruit.^[21]

Pears are less allergenic than many other fruits, and pear juice is therefore sometimes used as the first juice introduced to infants.^[22] However, caution is recommended for all fruit juice consumption by infants, as studies have suggested a link between excessive fruit juice consumption and reduced nutrient intake, as well as a tendency towards obesity.^[23] Pears are low in salicylates and benzoates, so are recommended in exclusion diets for allergy sufferers.^[24] Along with lamb and rice, pears may form part of the strictest exclusion diet for allergy sufferers.^[25]

Most of the fiber is insoluble, making pears a good laxative.^[26]

[edit]Herbalism

In ancient Greece, pears were used to treat nausea.

[edit]Cultural references

Pears grow in the sublime orchard of Alcinous, in Odyssey vii: "Therein grow trees, tall and luxuriant, pears and pomegranates and apple-trees with their bright fruit, and sweet figs, and luxuriant olives. Of these the fruit perishes not nor fails in winter or in summer, but lasts throughout the year."

'A Partridge in a Pear Tree' is the first gift in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" cumulative song, this verse is repeated twelve times in the song.

[edit]See also

Carp

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Carp (disambiguation).

Common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Carp are various species of oily^[1] freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia.

The cypriniformes (family Cyprinidae) are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain common features, such as being found predominantly in fresh water and that they possess Weberian ossicles (an anatomical structure originally made up of small pieces of bone formed from four or five of the first vertebrae); the most anterior bony pair is in contact with the extension of the labyrinth and the posterior with the swimbladder. The function is poorly understood, but this structure is presumed to take part in the transmission of vibrations from the swimbladder to the labyrinth and in the perception of sound, which would explain why the Ostariophysi have such a great capacity for hearing.^[2]

Most cypriniformes have scales and teeth on the inferior pharyngeal bones which may be modified in relation to the diet. Tribolodon is the only cyprinid genus which tolerates salt water, although there are several species which move into brackish water, but return to fresh water to spawn. All of the other cypriniformes live in continental waters and have a wide geographical range.^[2]

Some consider all cyprinid fishes carp, and the family Cyprinidae itself is often known as the carp family. In colloquial use, carp usually refers only to several larger cyprinid species such as Cyprinus carpio (common carp), Carassius carassius (Crucian carp),Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp), Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (silver carp), and Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (bighead carp). Carp have long been an important food fish to humans, as well as popular ornamental fishes such as the various goldfish breeds and the domesticated common carp variety known as koi. As a result, carp have been introduced to various locations, though with mixed results. Several species of carp are listed as invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,^[3] and worldwide large sums of money are spent on carp control.