These sweet, delicious fruits are low in calories and contain a good amount of vitamins A, C, B6, potassium, iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc. They are also rich in fiber which promotes regular bowel movements and digestion.
They’re a wonderful addition to many dishes. Add them to a salad, use them as a topping for yogurt or ice cream, bake them into pies and muffins, or simmer them down into jam or compote.
Their ripening time is April and May, so you’ll want to get them while they’re still green. These delicate fruits don’t have a long shelf life and are easily bruised, so if you see them fresh at the market, they’re worth grabbing!
Whether you’re picking them from a tree or getting them at the market, make sure to keep the loquats refrigerated. The fruit will last a couple of weeks in the refrigerator as long as they are properly wrapped.
The fruit also contains a large amount of potassium which is an excellent heart health supplement. It can reduce stress on the blood vessels which in turn improves circulation and reduces your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
It’s also a rich source of Vitamin A which is an important antioxidant and helps maintain a glowing skin. It also has Vitamin C which helps bolster the immune system and is a great nutrient to consume if you have diabetes.
In fact, it’s been found that a diabetic patient who drank 2 litres of loquat leaf tea experienced a significant decrease in his triglycerides. This is an exciting development and we look forward to seeing more research on the loquat’s blood sugar support.
