Introduction
The damson fruit is a small, nearly black-purple for black-blue drupelet . That belongs to the Prunus family and is similar to the plums. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean basin . But grown in Europe and some parts of Asia for many years.
It is oval or round and must be cook . But as a cooking ingredient it is valued for its tart and somewhat astringent taste. Some of the nutrients explaining the health implications of damsons include, antioxidant compounds, dietary fiber and Vitamin C.
The high percentage of pectin in the fruit makes it suitable for production of jam, jelly and sauces. Damson trees which are fairly resistant and robust are cultivate . Both as ornamental and fruit bearing trees and favor warm climate.
Origen :
Damson (*Prunus insititia*) is thought to grown originally in the Mediterranean, in Europe and parts of Western Asia. It was one of the oldest crops grown and historians’ evidence points to the Greeks and Romans as having domesticated . This crop because of its strong and sturdy nature for it could easily grow in any type of soil.
It is presume that the damson was transport throughout Europe by these civilizations . Then to the British Isles in particular. In time it seemed to adapt to different forms and climates . And as such became a common feature in most of the traditional European gardens. The damson fruit is a variety of plum that grows in the wild or as semi-wild . Though they have been grown for centuries because of their sharp taste and sweet or slightly acidic . Sometimes with high amounts of pectin which makes them good for preserves or cooking.
Varieties :
Although there are several varieties of damson, there are differences between them. All categorically fruitful in taste and containing a level of tartness and astringency. One of the most famous types is the Shropshire Prune because of large, sweet and dark purple Fruit. The other common type is the Stanley owing to its dark purple skin with harder texture . That is most suitable for cooking as well as for most preserving techniques.
The Monarch is slightly sweeter and slightly larger . While Damson Plum also known as Common Damson is smaller and sharper and is well use in classic jams and jellies. Besides these varieties, there are produce interspecific damsons, for example, Mirabelle the cross between a damson and sweet plum, has both sour and sweet taste.
Nutrition value of damson fruit:
Damsons are a healthy fruit that has many nutritional benefits to the body. They are not very high in calories. They contain approximately 50-60 calories for each 100 grams . Therefore make a good food choice for people who want to eat healthy.
Damson contain dietary fats, which are useful in digestion and help the human body . That feeling that they have eaten enough. They also contain good quantities of vitamin C, a highly useful antioxidant nutrient . That strengthens the immune cells, enhances skin, and facilitates the absorption of iron.
Apart from vitamin C the fruit also contains a small measure of other vitamins including vitamin A ,vitamin K and several of the B vitamins which assist in the body’s health. The fruit also contains minerals potassium for the proper functioning of the heart and regulation of blood pressure and manganese for the construction of bones and for metabolism.
Characteristics of damson fruit:
Damsons are small, oval shaped and have dark purple to blackish-blue skin though this has a slightly waxy feel. The flesh inside is commonly a yellow or amber hue and comprises a single stone the same as with other plums. Damsons are small, dark-plumed and sweet-tart, with just a hint of bitterness . That is not desirable in a fresh fruit but superb in a cook dish.
The fruit has lots of pectin, which makes this fruit ideal for making preserves such as jams, jellies and sauces. Damson trees are shrubby or grow to a moderate height, though it can be unusually large, and is even resistant to climate. They have a widespread growth pattern . The green leaves are dark with white or pink flowers, which bloom in spring.
Damsons are not only a popular fruit for cooking but the shrubs themselves are attractive, reaching maturity in size and adorned with bright, fleshy fruits. By being able to be the star ingredient in sweet food products as well as salty food products, damsons have been widely popular in many areas due to its resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions, and of course, their beautiful skin.
Characteristics of damson fruit :
Damsons have numerous health benefits because it is rich in nutrients. It contains a lot of antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, and support the body’s working against oxidation stress, excessive inflammation and aims to restore the proper working of cells. Damsons are rich in Vitamin C, which is important to boost immunity and healthy skin as well as improve the body’s uptake of iron.
Our body uses dietary fiber to control digestion, the health of bowels and equilibrium of fat burning capacity by enabling the feeling of fullness. Damsons are also recommend as the fruit for those who have heart-related issues, because they are rich in potassium – the compound which contributes to normal control of blood pressure and the proper functioning of muscles. Thus, the content of antioxidants, vitamin A, and K disclosed in the fruits contribute to eyesight and bone health.
Health benefit of damson fruit :
Damsons are rich in nutritional values, and therefore consumption of damsons has several different health benefits. It presents a high antioxidant containing anthocyanins that can address the hazardous effects of oxidation, inflammation and drastically cut down the prevalence of chronic diseases.
Hence these antioxidants play a role in increasing blood circulation as well as in prevention of heart diseases. Damsons are rich in fiber and when consumed, they help improve digestion, the health of the gut and even cholesterol levels. Credit the vitamin C stored in them for an improvement in the immune system, skin, and quick healing of injuries.
This fruit also contains Potassium which is useful in the control of High blood pressure, hypertension, muscular, and nerve functions. Another nutritional benefit is that the fruit is also virtually calorie free, therefore recommended for weight loss diets. To some extent, they allow enjoying the natural sugars that can truly fuel the body’s processes without leading to the increase in blood glucose levels.
Also, there is extremely minor content in vitamin A and K, contributing to eye health, immunity, as well as bone support. Taking damsons makes a positive impact on a person’s health, digestion, and can even help prevent some health issues.
Drinks of damson:
It proved that it is rather easy to prepare different tasty drinks based on damsons that would reflect their sharp taste. One food is damson gin which is a gin soake fruit similar to a Chambord, made from gin and damsons with sugar. Damsons are also put into making tasty juices that are combine with apples or pears to help reduce on the sour taste.
The juice can be take straight or dilute with carbonate water to give a cocktail which is slightly sour. On the flip side, damsons can be use in syrups that use to enrich cocktails, lemonades or ice teas. The fruit also use in some portions of the world to make wine. Using the natural sugars that converted into alcohol to make the wine slightly sweet.
Dessert of damson:
Damsons can be use to prepare a range of exciting and tasty drinks that well display their sour taste. One of the favorite is damson gin, which is a twelfth-month tipple of the English countryside whereby . The fruits are steepe in gin with sugar and produce a dense fruit liqueur.
Damsons are also utilize in preparing various juices . They are combine with other fruits probably apples or pears since they are too sharp. The juice can be taken on its own or combined with sparkling water to give a sparkling, sour beverage. Besides, the fruits can be use in syrups . That in turn can be blend into cocktails or added to lemonades or iced teas.