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Botanical name: Amaranthus caudatus L. Love-lies-bleeding is a grain originating in South America, where it was also domesticated. The chronicler, Cobo, wrote in 1653 that, in the city of Guamanga (Ayacucho), delicious sweets were prepared from bledos (Amuranthus caudatus) and sugar. A similar species, the haautli (A. hypochondriacus). was extensively grown in Mesoamerica and is frequently mentioned by writers in connection with Aztec customs and ceremonies. Since the colonial era, the cultivated area of love-lies-bleeding has decreased considerably. However. it is still grown in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina because of the persistence of Andean farmers, and continues to be important because of its excellent nutritional quality. It is efficient at fixing carbon dioxide, does not have photorespiration and requires less water to produce the same amount of biomass as cereals The grain's nutritional value is high and can be as much as to 12 to 16 percent protein, while the balance of amino acids is very good, with a fair proportion of these containing sulphur: lysine, methionine and cysteine It does not contain saponins or alkaloids and the leaves are edible. In the human diet it is preferably eaten split or after the split grain has been ground, giving a very agreeable flour. The grain is also cooked whole. Over 50 ways of preparation are known: the leaves are eaten in salads and the grains are also used to make soups, custards, stews, desserts, drinks, bread and cakes. Agro-industry makes flour which is used up to 20 percent as a wheat substitute in breadmaking. It is also used to make an instant chocolate powder, syrups and sweets. A study has been made of the use of vegetable colouring matters, which are found up to 23 percent in the ear and are highly water-soluble and unstable in light. |
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| General description : The thurian-thet is a small slender evergreen tree of the Annonaceae family. It can grow up to a height of about 7 m. The tree thrives best in the tropical lowlands on rich deep loam. Among the cultivated Annona species thurian-thet, having few cultural requirements, is the easiest grow and has prolific fruiting capacities. However, it is the least hardy of the Annona species, requiring a warm and humid tropical climate. It grows at elevations up to 1,000 m and as far as 20°N and 25°S in sheltered sites. Growth and fruiting are severely set back by cold spells and light frosts kill the tree (Nakasone, 1972). A dry season enhances leaf fall and synchronizes extension growth and flowering to some extent. Yields may be higher under these conditions, provided that high humidity prevails during the period of fruit set. Where humidity tends to be low, a sheltered site is recommended to reduce transpiration, as the tree is also shallow-rooted. This is why thurian-thet is commonly found growing in the southern and eastern parts of Thailand where humidity is rather high throughout the year due to frequent rainfall. Thurian-thet can be grown in most soils with good drainage, as the tree does not tolerate waterlogging. Vernacular names :Soursop (English); guanábana (Spanish), corossol (French), sirsak, nangka belanda, nangka seberang (Indonesian); durian blanda, durian benggala, durian makkah (Malaysia); saua sap (Papua New Guinea); guayabano (Philippines); tiep banla, tiep barang (Cambodia); khan thalot (Laos); thurian-thet, thurian-khaek (Thailand); mang câù-xiêm (Viet Nam). Botanical characters : The leaves are oblong-obovate, 8-16 ´ 3-7 cm in size, short acuminate at the apex, with 3-7 mm long petiole. Flowers are regular, greenish-yellow, pedicel up to 2.5 cm long with 3 sepals, 6 petals, and numerous stamens with densely pubescent filaments and numerous ovaries. Uses : The fruit of thurian-thet can be consumed fresh as a dessert fruit when fully ripe or mixed with ice cream or milk to make a delicious drink. However, more often the puree is consumed after squeezing the pulp through a sieve. It can be made into a fruit jelly, juice (with the addition of sugar), nectar or syrup. In Thailand and Malaysia where the trees are cultivated mainly in the home garden the thurian-thet fruits are used as a good flavoured nutritional drink. Prospects : At present, this species is confined to home gardens, and because of erratic yield and short shelf-life, there is little expansion of cultivation. More research on higher yield through improving pollination is needed before the processing industry requirements can be met. |
