Pineapple is one of the most valued fruits in the world and is popular in those climate zones where it is not normally grown. This perennial plant prefers drought and grows up to 1.5 – 2.5 m. The fruit itself weighs 0.5 kg – 3.5 kg. Pineapple after picking does not further ripen. Pineapples are consumed fresh, canned, boiled and as extracted juice. Pineapple has a sweet taste, but beyond that, it is also a healthy food. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
The orange weighs 100 – 150 g and grows on the orange trees. The fruit belongs to the category of citrus fruits. Orange trees are grown in tropical and subtropical climates. Oranges are one of the most popular citrus fruits in the world, they are tasty and juicy, and they contain plenty of nutrients, necessary for good health, including vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and lots of other substances of plant origin.
Watermelon is a sweet and most frequently used summer fruit. It has originated in South Africa. It still grows self-sow in the Kalahari semi-desert. This fruit is grown worldwide counting more than 1,000 varieties. Watermelon fruit is 91% water and 6% sugar and are low in fat.
For up to 8000 years, people grew vineyards in what is now the Middle East. Today, 72 million tons of grapes are grown every year worldwide. The berries can be black, blue, golden, green, purple, red, pink, brown and white. The nutrients contained in grapes are very beneficial to human health. The berries are eaten fresh, or raisins, jams, jellies are produced from them, juice squeezed, grape seed oil and wine made.
This fruit has a hard red husk. There are about 600 seeds inside, embedded in red juicy layer. Pomegranates are native to West Asia and India. Fruit trees may grow up to 5 m high. This fruit prefers the mild climate. Moreover, to being used as a fruit, it is also used in producing pomegranate syrup, fruit juice, wine, alcoholic beverages, jams and jellies.
Grapefruit is a subtropical citrus tree known for is sour, semi-sweet, somewhat bitter fruit. Grapefruit tree was first found in the 17th century on the Caribbean Island in Barbados, and in 1820 it was brought to Florida for commercial cultivation. The inner pulp may vary from light yellow to dark pink. Raw grapefruit is 90% water, 8% carbohydrates and 1% protein.
A pear is a close relative of apples and quinces. The skin of the fruit may be yellow, green, brown, red, as well as multi-coloured. Though containing quite a considerable amount of sugars and possessing not abundant content of nutrients, they are noted for their huge amount of fibres. Pears are immune boosters and improve cardiovascular function.
Melon is a fruit of a big herbaceous plant with the crawling stem. The origin of the melons is Turkey. They are grown under mild and hot climate conditions. Melons are oval in shape. The inside of the fruit is fleshy and juicy. Melon is a unique fruit because it has been used both as a food and as a medicine since ancient times. Melons are rich in fiber that improves digestion boosts metabolism, vitamins C, PP, B1, B2, carotene, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Kiwis are fruits growing in subtropical and medium latitudes. In some places they are called Chinese gooseberries. The kiwis are egg-shaped, with green juicy flesh and small black seeds. A brown greenish skin is covered with tiny fuzz. They are grown in special gardens and land plots. Kiwi is rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. . Kiwis act as antioxidants, strengthen the vital functions of the organism, and maintain skin elasticity. The magnesium it contains strengthens muscles.
Green lemons are citrus fruits, usually round, of green colour, 3–6 cm in diameter and containing sour juice. They are rich in vitamin C. They are often used to emphasize the taste of food and beverages. The fruits are grown all year round. The content of sugars and acids in green lemons is higher than in ordinary lemons.
Lemon trees originated in South and Southeast Asia. Most of the species are cultivated plants that grow up to 4-12 meters, and sometimes up to 20 meters in height. Lemons are not only a great food, but also, as known, an irreplaceable medicine. Not surprisingly, that their sales go up in autumn and winter, when colds diseases attack. It is believed that every human being should consume one lemon per day or drink the juice of one lemon.
Mandarins are smaller in size and less rounded than ordinary oranges. Their taste is considered to be less sour and also sweeter and stronger than that of oranges. The longest season of mandarins lasts from autumn to spring. Mandarins are usually peeled and eaten by hand. Fresh fruits are also used in salads, desserts and main dishes.
Nectarine is a cultivar of smooth-skinned peach. Like peaches, nectarines can be yellow or white, and clingstone or freestone. Due to the lack of the fuzz, nectarine skin may seem to be redder than that of peach. Nectarine varieties are frequently sweeter than peaches.
Peach is a tree up to 8 m in height. Its fruits are sweet, juicy stone-fruits. The most prominent part of the peach fruit is the fuzzed skin. Peaches originated in China. They grow in mild climate zones. They can be eaten not only as a fruit, but also can used in desserts, jams, juice squeezing, drying and making tea.
Plums are not only extremely nutritious, but also stone-fruits, undeniably useful for health. The skin is green, yellow, purple, orange, red, blue, of various tints, with or without a coating. Plums contain vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber and antioxidants that can reduce the probability of some chronic diseases. They grow naturally in the mid-latitude zone of Northern Hemisphere, mainly in East Asia. Plums by origin are subdivided into European, American and Asian.
Persimmon fruits ripen in late autumn and can survive on trees until winter. The colours of the ripe fruit range from light yellow-orange to dark red-orange, depending on the sort and variety. The ripe fruit is noted for its sweet taste. It is believed that persimmons originated from China. And today the major part of persimmons are grown here – even two thirds.
Apples are the most grown and consumed fruit in the world. The benefit of apples for health is enormous due to the antioxidants and fiber they contain. The nutritionists often call this fruit a real health miracle or “super” fruit. The ripe apples are red, yellow, greenish or multi-coloured.
Mango are even called the king of fruits due to their special taste and aroma. Mango fruits are oval and have a delicate aroma. The flesh of the fruit is yellow or orange, the consistency of a ripe plum, fragrant, has a faint berry spice, sweet and sour.
Blueberry is one of the most popular berries in Poland. Blueberry season lasts from July to the end of August, but thanks to international cultivation, you can enjoy their taste all year round. Small, spherical fruits with a dark blue color are characterized by a sweet taste and juicy flesh. Blueberry is used both for the preparation of preserves, juices and tinctures, and in the season, it is eaten solo by children and adults. What is more, their regular consumption has a positive effect on our health.
Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits of the summer season. Ripe fruits are sweet, refreshing and extremely appetizing. They are perfect not only for desserts and cakes, but also for delicious cocktails. It’s hard to believe that strawberries are the work of chance – they were created about 300 years ago from the crossing of two species of wild strawberries. Fortunately, to these days we can enjoy their unique taste, literally – it turns out that these fruits are the tastiest in temperate climate regions.
Avocado is a pear-shaped single-seeded berry of dark green colour. The avocado tree starts bearing fruit in 4–5 years. The fruits are picked prior to their ripening. If the crop is harvested too early, it is impossible to ripen it fully. Fruits are highly valued and beneficial to health. They contain about 5–32 % fat, of which quite a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Avocado has been known in its native Central America for 8,000 years. At present, due to its unique composition, avocado is one of the most valuable fruits in the world.
Aubergines are grown as one-year plants under mild climate conditions and as perennials under the tropical climate conditions. Aubergines rank fourth as the most popular vegetable after tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. A total of 29.5 million tons of aubergines are produced in the world. The fruit is edible, large, spherical, oval, cylindrical or pear-shaped, their ripening time differs, and weight ranges from 40 to 100 g, usually of rich purple colour.
Ginger is a herbaceous perennial plant of fairly specific flavour. Its aroma is fresh, lemon-like, and flavour is pungent, warm and “biting”. Supposedly, its Latin name “Zingiber”, originating from Sanskrit, could mean “horny root”. It is believed that ginger is native to West India and Southeast Asia. Ginger does not exist in wild state.
Cabbage began to grow thousands of years ago in the Mediterranean. Today, they appear in lots of varieties, differing in colour, leaf texture, taste and even aroma. Cabbage is one of the vegetables that can be stored and preserved practically until the new harvest. Cabbages have extremely effective antioxidants. Namely, vitamin C is higher in cabbages than in oranges. One-cup serving contains more than half of the daily norm of the vitamin.
Potatoes are a fairly widely grown crop that was cultivated in South America several thousand years ago. A lot of varieties are known to exist. Potatoes are mainly used for food. A good variety of most nutritious dishes are cooked from tubers. Only potatoes of very good quality are used for food. They are rich in various nutrients.
Red cabbage is calculated that red cabbages, being a great source of calcium, potassium and beta carotene, are considerably ahead of white-headed cabbages. It is believed that vitamin C, contained in red cabbages, by more than two times exceeds that in white-headed cabbages. Due to the abundance of vitamin C, this vegetable is an irreplaceable natural immune booster.
Underground bulbs of the plant are called onions. They are round or oblong, covered with several layers of skin rind. In cooking, onions are used boiled, fried, stewed, in preparation of various dishes, as a spice vegetable, less often – as one of the main components of the dish. Onions are rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
The leek is a vegetable, containing plenty of minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus and vitamins: C, E, B6 and foliates. Leeks are beneficial for the respiratory system, since ethereal oil possesses an antiseptic effect that improves sinusitis and bronchitis. The sources tell that leeks were used to feed the pyramid builders in Egypt.
Carrot is believed that people started growing them several thousand years ago in Asia. Their coloration was not orange at that time. Carrots contain antioxidants that can protect against cancer. Vitamin A in these vegetables may prevent nyctalopia. Carrots are available at any season of the year.
Cucumbers are one of the most popular and common vegetables. They are believed to be native to Southwest Asia. Cucumbers may be used both fresh and canned or pickled. Cucumber varieties are adapted to different growing conditions; their variety makes it possible to have fresh cucumbers everywhere and at different seasons. They are grown in open ground, greenhouses, and hotbeds.
Bell peppers are very beneficial for health. Its qualities are alike to other peppers, but at different levels due to the ripening phase where it occurs. Red/sweet pepper is sweeter and contains more vitamin C than green pepper, and contains more vitamin A than yellow pepper. Nonetheless, all peppers contain antioxidants that are beneficial to the organism and are recommended for those who keep to a diet.
Chili peppers are widely used in many cuisines as a spice. Chili peppers originate from the tropical part of South America. The substance giving heat to chili peppers is capsaicin. It reduces the risk of obesity, contains antibacterial properties, has antibacterial properties, protects against diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Tomatoes are one of the favourite vegetables. These juicy vegetables are grown in many countries around the world, both outdoors and in greenhouses. Tomatoes are low in calories, consisting mostly of water. Even though in biological terms tomatoes are fruits, in the everyday context they are attributed to vegetables. Tomato fruits are used for garnishing, salads, mixes, canned and in the production of tomato ketchup. Tomatoes are native to South America, the alpine Andes.
Beetroot is a vegetable with its round and dark red roots, and firm, vertical and bright red leaf stalks. Beetroots were domesticated in the second millennium B.C. in the Mediterranean Sea region. The plant spread across Mesopotamia and China. The roots, fresh leafstalks and leaves are used for food. Beetroot contains many useful elements – iron, calcium, vitamins A, B6, magnesium, a lot of vitamin C, copper, antioxidants, folic acid, which is considered the enemy of oncological diseases and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
This is a strongly fragrant plant with a thick and vertical stalk, having distinct ridges and furrows. Celery is grown as a vegetable, spice and medicinal plant. Leaves, leaf stems and roots are used for food. All parts of the plant are rich in vitamins and have some healing properties. Celery is popular around the world. In West Europe leaf celery is more popular, while, for example, the Americans prefer leaf-stem celery.
Celery roots are one of the parts of celery used for food. Vitamins of groups C and B, proteins and carbohydrates accumulate in the lower part of celery, the roots. They are especially important for immune boosting. Various beverages, improving kidney function and even helping to heal urinary bladder inflammation, are often produced of chopped celery roots.
Pumpkin is one of the most fertile vegetables, rich in vitamins. It also contains vitamin C, a little of vitamin E, vitamins of PP and B group. Pumpkins mostly accumulate carotenoids which give lighter or darker orange coloration to the pumpkin pulp. A special feature of pumpkin is that it can be consumed in its entirety, and, in addition, its seeds are especially valued and useful.
Zucchini is a herbaceous plant with large, oblong, usually dark green fruits, oblong, commonly of deep green coloration, although yellow colour also occurs. In many European and American cuisines, zucchini is served stuffed, baked and boiled. Zucchini contains large amount of minerals, such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium. In addition, it has vitamins C, A and B3.
Garlic is a vegetable rich in minerals and vitamins: vitamin B6, manganese, selenium and vitamin C, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, iron and copper. Garlic has healing properties. Due to its natural flavouring substances, it is widely used in all global cuisines.
Broccoli is a variety of cabbage of the Bastunica family. These vegetables are eaten raw or processed. Broccoli and high content of calcium, vitamin A and other substances.
Fennel is a plant of the celery family. This vegetable is perfect for various dishes, especially stews. Fennel seeds can be used to make tea. Vegetables are very rich in vitamins and minerals.
Radish – is a plant of the bastaceae family. Best for salads. Has an average amount of vitamins.
Lettuce mixes – accumulated vitamins of group A and B, calcium and iron. It is perfect for a diet, because it has few calories and a lot of water, but together with dietary fiber, it quickly fills the stomach and gives a feeling of satiety.
Sweet potatoes- also known as batatas, are nutritious, high in fiber, filling and delicious.