Arrayan Fruit
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
This item was last sold on : 12/02/23
Description/Taste
Arrayan fruits are small in size, averaging 1 to 3 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to oval shape with blunt, curved ends. The fruits sometimes feature a prominent dried calyx that resembles a small crown, but not all fruits will have this as it can be easily removed or naturally falls off with handling. Arrayan fruits ripen from green to shades of muted yellow and have smooth, thin, and taut skin. Underneath the surface, the pale-yellow flesh is aqueous, soft, tender, and succulent, enveloping up to five seeds per fruit. The seeds are angular, yellow-brown, and hard, ranging from 5 to 7 millimeters in length. Arrayan fruits are edible raw once ripe and can be eaten whole, discarding the seeds. Ripe fruits have a sweet, tart, and acidic flavor with citrus, fruity, and floral nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Arrayan fruit is available in the fall through early spring, typically between September and March. In some regions of Mexico, additional crops may also form throughout the year, depending on the growing region.
Current Facts
Arrayan fruit, botanically classified as Psidium sartorianum, is a tropical to subtropical species belonging to the Myrtaceae family. The small fruits grow on trees reaching fifteen meters in height and are an ancient, wild species native to the Americas. Arrayan is the name used for the fruits in communities within the Mexican states of Sinaloa, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Durango. The species is also known by other regional names, including Guayabillo, Choqui, Piciche, Niedenzu, Rayana, Little guava, and Sartre guava. Historically, Arrayan fruit was foraged from wild trees and incorporated into various medicinal and culinary uses. It has since become a domesticated species and is popularly planted in home gardens as an ornamental. Arrayan fruits are collected from the trees by shaking the branches and bundling the dropped fruits into piles using blankets. Once gathered, the fruits are sold through local markets as fresh or processed culinary ingredients.
Nutritional Value
Arrayan fruit is a source of potassium to balance fluid levels and replenish electrolytes in the body, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, and calcium to support bones and teeth. The fruits also provide fiber to stimulate and regulate the digestive tract, iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, and other nutrients, including magnesium, zinc, and tannins. Arrayan fruits are believed to have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties and have been utilized in natural medicines throughout Mexico for these qualities. The fruits are mashed and topically applied to the skin to help heal wounds. The leaves of the tree are also historically used in treatments for ulcers, indigestion, and coughs.
Applications
Arrayan fruits have a sweet, tart, fruity, and floral flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The small fruits are popularly consumed out of hand, discarding the seeds, and are eaten as a stand-alone snack. Arrayan fruits are also sprinkled with salt, lemon juice, or chili powder for added flavoring. In Mexico, Arrayan fruits are famously blended and strained into warm or chilled beverages. On hot days, agua frescas are prepared with boiled fruit, sugar, and water as a refreshing reprieve. The fruits are also tossed into salads or mixed with beans as a quick meal. Try simmering Arrayan fruits into preserves, jams, jellies, and syrups. Arrayan fruits are also made into candies, frozen into ice cream, baked into cakes, or made into popsicles. While less common, Arrayan fruits have been noted as an ingredient sometimes added to tamales in Mexico. They are also dried for extended use and mixed into baked goods, desserts, and drinks. Arrayan fruits pair well with lemon or lime juice, mint, cinnamon, vanilla, and cane sugar. Whole, unwashed fruits will keep for several days to one week when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Arrayan fruit is a seasonal ingredient sometimes added to atole in Mexico during the winter. Atole is a traditional beverage made from water, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, cane sugar, and masa harina, a type of dried corn mixture. The thick and creamy drink is customarily served hot in the winter, and if Arrayan fruits are added, they are blended, strained, and stirred in, or the flesh is deseeded and infused during the cooking process. The name atole is derived from the Nahuatl word “atolli,” meaning “water” or “watered down,” and was given to the drink for its original recipe of using water with corn and other ingredients. The drink’s origins date back to ancient times, and new variations have been made to meet changing consumer demands, including adding milk to make it creamier. Atole is one of the typical drinks served during Christmas and New Year celebrations in Mexico, and Arrayan fruits are added during the fruit’s peak season for enhanced flavoring. Beyond festive beverages, Arrayan fruit trees are notably sourced for their wood. The wood is favored for its weight, texture, and durability and is often shaped to construct plywood, beams, and columns for houses. The wood is also used to make furniture.
Geography/History
Psidium sartorianum is native to the Americas and is thought to have origins in Mexico and select regions of Central America. Much of the species’ early history is unknown, but it is believed to be an ancient, wild species utilized as a food source among indigenous populations. Psidium sartorianum thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas in deciduous tropical and semi-deciduous forests. Over time, the species was selected from the wild for cultivation and was domesticated and bred for improved traits. Psidium sartorianum also spread and naturalized throughout tropical regions in Central and South America as the use of the species expanded to culinary and ornamental purposes. Today, Psidium sartorianum remains mostly localized to the Americas. The species is widely found throughout Mexico, notably in the states along the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Psidium sartorianum has also been recorded throughout Central America, South America, parts of the Caribbean, and Southern California. When in season, Arrayan fruits are harvested from wild and cultivated trees and are sold fresh or dried in local markets.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Arrayan Fruit. One
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