Fruit tip of the week

I am Jaye Lentin, a raw food enthusiast, who has been living on fresh fruits and vegetables for over two years. Every week I'll be sharing one of my favourite fruits with you, explaining why I love it and why I feel it will help promote health and vitality.

By Jaye Lentin, Video Editor Gulf News
February 8, 2011

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  Mangosteens

  I love trying new foods and tropical fruits offer a world of strange and wonderful flavours. Mangosteens are no exception and always stir curiosity in first- time tasters. They are easy to open with one hand, just squeeze the shell and it splits open to reveal the delicious white fruit inside. They have a tangy sweet taste and are mouth-wateringly refreshing. Renowned for their antioxidant capabilities, they've been used to promote health and in natural remedies for centuries. Mangosteens are always best eaten fresh from where they grow, but can be enjoyed from most supermarkets in the UAE.

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  Mangoes

  There is nothing tastier than a fresh ripe mango. They are soft, sweet, juicy and perfectly delicious. I am getting hungry just writing about them. Kenyan mangoes are currently in season and I've been stocking up at the Al Aweer fruit market. Loaded with fibres, a great source of vitamins and mineral salts, I enjoy savouring this wonderful fruit for breakfast, lunch or dinner. My favourite variety, when in season, comes from Pakistan and I've yet to taste anything more delicious. With over 400 varieties to choose from worldwide, there's bound to be a few new flavours waiting for you to try.

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  Pomelo

  The first time I ever laid eyes on a pomelo, I thought it was a ball for some strange new sport. When I discovered the wonderful flavour that lies inside these giant citrus delights, the urge to ever kick one vanished immediately. Pomelos look like overgrown grapefruit but taste sweeter and are easier to peel and eat. Packed to the brim with vitamins and minerals that build health, prevent disease and infection, their thick skin makes them easy to cart around for meals when you're out. They also make excellent additions to salads.

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  Pineapple

  Fresh, ripe pineapples are renowned as a natural treatment for inflammatory conditions and they are an excellent source of vitamins and trace minerals. When pineapples are properly ripened and have not been frozen, they taste deliciously sweet. They make a good addition to fruit smoothies and fresh pineapple blended with a few raw almonds makes a wonderful creamy and tangy salad dressing. They promote good circulation, help supply oxygen to your cells and their enzymes even promote digestion.

• 

  Rambutan

  Rambutan
  It was on a holiday in Thailand that I was first introduced to the peculiar looking Rambutan. But, once the fresh white fruit touched my taste buds, I knew I'd made a best friend for life. They are similar to lychees. I love to munch on them while relaxing at the beach or by the pool. They are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and even protein. At about 60 calories per average-sized Rambutan, they are great for stocking up on nutrients after exercise or a long hot day out. You can usually find them in the tropical fruit section of most grocery stores and markets. So if you haven't tried them yet, go ahead and treat yourself.

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  Papayas

  Papayas are an ancient remedy for digestive ailments and can be applied topically to treat burns, rashes and cuts. Vitamins A, C and E, along with potassium, carotenoids and lycopene are some of the nutrients that a fresh papaya offers up. I love to cut them in half and fill them with banana slices for a sweet and juicy breakfast. Papayas are great in smoothies, or chopped and wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves and also make wonderful soups or salad dressings when blended with vegetables like tomato and celery. Look out for golden-yellow skin that gives a little to the touch when choosing a ripe papaya.

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  Blueberries

  I have fond memories of foraging for berries as a child, returning home with red stained teeth and hands and a very satisfied tummy. It's not surprising that blueberries are still a firm favourite in my kitchen. I love them on their own, but I also enjoy using them to jazz up salads and smoothies. Try blending blueberries with fresh tomato, celery, or capsicums for a sweet and tangy salad dressing that's packed with vitamins. Blueberries are well known for their high antioxidant activity and their ability to fight off bacterial infection. Blueberries are available in most supermarkets and are a fun day out for your tummy and your health.

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  Grapes

  Social activities like going to the cinema, live shows or movie nights with friends can often fuel your desire for junk foods like popcorn, chips and candy. That's why I always take a big bag of fresh grapes to any such gatherings. Grapes are easy to get (try any supermarket) and they are packed with nutrients so you can snack away without any worry of dehydrating, artery-clogging side effects. They are full of antioxidants and countless phytonutrients that protect against diseases like cancer and heart disease and they take no effort to prepare, just rinse and enjoy. Grapes are also an excellent companion when going on a road trip, flying or even just relaxing on the couch at home.

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  Persimmons

  Persimmons have a special place in my kitchen and in my heart. Known in the region as Kaki Fruit, these treats look similar to tomatoes but taste like the most delicious pudding ever. Recently I've enjoyed excellent varieties from the US and from Lebanon, all available at local markets. Whenever I have a craving for dessert, I reach for a fresh Persimmon. To me they taste like soft cinnamon pancakes, only better because they are also juicy and refreshing. They are used in traditional Chinese medicine and like all fresh fruits, can help to promote health and prevent diseases like cancer. Persimmons are also delicious spooned over chopped bananas or in smoothies. So try it and I'm sure you'll have a new favourite.

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  Oranges

  Oranges are one of my favourite winter fruits. They've been praised through the ages by many health practitioners for their medicinal value and life-giving goodness. They always seem to make an appearance at sporting events. It's not surprising to find that they are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. I like to cut up 10 or so and eat them as is. I also often squeeze a couple over my salad for a sweet, tangy dressing. You can blend one with ripe tomatoes for a delicious cold soup and then there's always a tall glass of fresh squeezed OJ. Yummy!

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  Bananas

  Bananas are one of my favourite meals for many reasons. Firstly, they are available all year round and easy to get your hands on. You can always keep unripe bananas and they will see you through a week quite easily. At approximately 100 calories for a medium-sized banana, about 6 to 10 of them make it a very tasty meal for athletes. They have lots of simple sugars, water and potassium, along with being easy to pack and take along as a snack on the go.

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  Watermelon

  They are packed with simple sugars, essential vitamins and have a high water content, so they hydrate and nourish the body. Many varieties are grown around the Middle East, so it's easy to get them fresh and ripe. Blended watermelon makes an excellent sports drink after a workout and is an all-natural way to replace lost sugar, water and electrolytes. I have it almost every day and it's always delicious. Enjoy.