My
husband and I decided we would plant some graviola or soursop trees (Annona muricata L) or durian belanda as it is called locally. Why it is called Dutch Durian is a mystery to
me. It’s neither Dutch nor a durian! So
many people testify as to its herbal usefulness - including being a potent cure
for cancer - that we could no longer resist planting a couple in the garden. In any case, I love the taste of this funny
fruit, although my husband doesn’t care much for it. He says it tastes funny-strange, kind of
sweet and kind of sour and it has a slightly strong smell, though nowhere near the strong smell of
the real durians. I suppose it’s all due
to childhood upbringing – I used to eat it when I was growing up, and he
didn’t.
Whether
the part where it helps to cure cancer is true or not is probably yet to be
proven, although I have heard of friends
whose friends (!) have been cured by drinking tea made out of soursop leaves. Certainly googling soursop +
cancer will get you many articles about it.
The
traditional uses of this plant includes using the leaves as a tea drink (15 leaves) twice a day (morning and
evening) to lower high blood pressure.
Drinking the water from boiled leaves is
also said to increase a nursing mother’s milk, relief coughs and vomiting. In the old days, parents would put the leaves
inside a child’s pillow to encourage a good night’s sleep.
As for
the fruit, it is can be eaten fresh as it is, but I have eaten it as fruit
sorbet and it’s super delicious! Some
restaurants serve ice cream and top it with pureed soursop, or even fresh soursop drinks.
One year
after buying and planting a couple of fruit trees, we are now eating ‘the fruit
of our labour’. Here is a pictorial
story of our soursop/graviola on its journey to providing us with delicious fruit
.
Still growing. Notice the dark green color.
This fruit has turned lighter in color and as it ripens, will turn more yellowish.
vkm
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