… Ube is rich in fattty acid.

Ube,  orderwise known as AFRICAN PEAR  is very common in many parts of Eastern and Southern Nigeria.  

Names like  safou, Atanga,  bush pear or plum, Nsafu, bush butter tree, or butter fruit are all the same thing. They simply refer to this lovely shaped  fruit.

……you can  find Ube in any food market in Nigeria.

African pear, also known as  ube in Igbo language, is a fleshy succulent fruit that is said to be  rich in oils and minerals. It is an annual fruit that is harvested, and  usually eaten, either alone by being melted in hot water and eaten as snacks  or   with maize.

Whichever way, Ube which,  is traditionally eaten like a staple food  is rich in Vitamins C and E and both vitamins is said to contain antioxidant mineral which helps in slowing down aging process and maintaining healthy skin.

Like most other fruits, it has also been noted to particularly have high calcium content and can supply the daily requirement for the development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth.

It is highly regarded in many rural areas of Nigeria and is equally an economic fruit. Apart from its medicinal properties, it is one of the most important economic crops or fruits grown today in Nigeria.

Reports say African pear does not have a demanding recipe and is one of the easiest things to prepare. Simply put it in hot water for five minutes or boil for a minute or two to soften and its fleshy pulp is melted into its ready to eat ‘butter’ form.

Hmmn, It can also be roasted, but its seed is however not edible. It will interest you to know that the  flesh can also be substituted for butter or margarine to eat bread. It can also be eaten with rice, salad, yam, boiled plantain and roasted yam.
As the rainy season closely approaches, African pear is sure to flood food markets and shops. Ensure you try out any of these beautiful combinations and relish the taste of this unique drupe!

Facts about Ube

* African pear is a drupe!

*  The drupe apart from the South Eastern Nigeria can be found in African countries like Angola, Sierra Leone  and of course Uganda.

* It is also cultivated in Malaysia

* Studies have revealed that buttery African pear is loaded with essential ingredients for warding off diseases.

*  Ube is specially unique and different in appearance, shape and size from the common pear.
*  Ube as it is locally called among the Igbos in the south-east of Nigeria is botanically known as Dascroides edulis, it is a member  of the burseraceae  family .

*  African pear tree has a beautiful shade and  the bark of the tree is aromatic.

*  Nutritionists say its pulpy pericarp has the qualities of butter more so as it is rich in oil and vitamins!

*   The cooked flesh of the fruit has a texture that is similar  to that of butter.

*  It is this portion of the delicious pear that is eaten, either raw or cooked, especially with corn – cooked or roasted.

*  Pear and corn share similar season and mix well in the bowels too, so no matter how much you eat, there is no room for constipation!

*  Studies however revealed that African pear is rich in carbohydrates, sugars, fiber, vitamins, especially thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, panthotenate folate, vitamin C and vitamin B6.
*  It very important to note that the Scribe, Secretary General, West African Association of Food Science and Technology (WAAFoST), Professor Osaretin Ebuehi told The Guardian that this pear contains several minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.
*  Pears have antioxidant properties.

* Owing to the fact that pear is rich in Vitamin C, it  can protect body cells from oxygen-related damage caused by free radicals.

*  In the same vein, the presence of fiber in this drupe helps to prevent constipation and equally ensures regularity of bowel movement.

*  Studies have revealed that eating pears help protect women against postmenopausal breast cancer.

*  Pear is described as a hypoallergenic fruit, that is, less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits.
*  Regular consumption of pear can  lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the main cause of vision loss in older adults.

*  Eating  pear can also  help to lower blood pressure as well as reduce the chances of  stroke .

*  The skin of this  fruit can range from dark blue to purple or violet, whereas the flesh can be said to be pale or light green.  These pyramids of purple African wood pears must be roasted on hot coals or soaked in freshly boiled water to be eaten. When cooked, they taste like avocado as you cut through with cream to relish the taste of Africa!

Try roasting or boiling and eat alongside the fresh maize you have at home …….

…corn and pear, proudly Nigeria! .. boil fresh and enjoy these.