Today was a good day. For the start of the year nature has already started to share her blessings in abundance. Over the past 3 weeks I have not been able to do much as the recovery of my fractured toe had me a bit in a steadfast position. Never the less, I still try my best to get out in nature and let her also do her healing on me. Nothing better then fresh air, hot sun and a productive group of volunteers. Pass few days I have been focus on soil adjustments and seed germination while volunteers come together to help complete the rest room at the agricultural center. Today we were bless to harvest a variety of organic produce. Produced gathered today was an estimated 30+ Kilos ranging from soursop, egg plant, luffa, cherry tomatoes, arugula, season pepper and callaloo.
Today, a few community members also stopped by to show their support and collected their fresh produce, reserving their soursop from days before. Most visitors especially look forward to indulging in the sweetness of the mild tangy fruit. Each time we harvest soursop I notice they don’t say very long on the table at the farm. A very important thing I observed over the past 2 years is the significant decrease in the fruits availability on the island.
Soursop also known as Guanabanna is a seasonal fruit found in tropical climates such as the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
I first stared to observe this shortage in 2017 around carnival time when I was forced to buy bottle soursop processed in the Dominican Republic to use for making my fresh fruit smoothies. As it was while back i cant recall exactly how much it cost me at the time, but I believe it was less then 1\2 pound for around $8.
It’s been awhile since have seen soursop on the fruit stand of the provision ladies at the side of the roads. Once again observing this shortage prompted me to do a bit of research to see if was able to maybe purchase soursop from a distributor online I decided to google it and not to my surprise it popped up on Amazon. The topical fruit seem to be very poplar on the highly used platform and distributed by a company name Tropical Importers, but its not even available for sale at the moment and the price is not visible. This should get us to thinking, When are we going to safeguard mass production of this highly beneficial fruit in our Caribbean region ? . Below is a description outline of the tropical fruit describe on Amazon:
Soursop (Guanabana Product description)
The flesh of the fruit consists of an edible, white pulp, some fiber, and a core of indigestible, black seeds. The species is the only member of its genus suitable for processing and preservation. The pulp is also used to make fruit nectar, smoothies, fruit juice drinks, as well as candies, sorbets, and ice cream flavorings. Due to the fruit’s widespread cultivation and popularity in parts of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, soursop and its derivative products are consumed across the world, also via branded food and beverage products available in many countries. In Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Harar (Ethiopia), it is a common fruit, often used for dessert as the only ingredient, or as an agua fresca beverage; in Colombia and Venezuela, it is a fruit for juices, mixed with milk. Ice cream and fruit bars made of soursop are also very popular. The seeds are normally left in the preparation, and removed while consuming, unless a blender is used for processing.
Health Benefits
Soursop, if added to your routine diet may harvest great longterm health benefits for the consumer. The fruit can be use for many desert creative types and the leave is great for making tea which may help the body to relax and sleep. Over all the plant has many great medical values.
To outline a few benefits I gathered some info from Health Line to share with you:
Soursop is typically eaten raw by cutting the fruit in half and scooping out the flesh. Fruits range in size and can be quite large, so it may be best to divide it into a few portions.
A typical serving of this fruit is low in calories yet high in several nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of raw soursop contains :
- Calories: 66
- Protein: 1 gram
- Carbs: 16.8 grams
- Fiber: 3.3 grams
- Vitamin C: 34% of the RDI
- Potassium: 8% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 5% of the RDI
- Thiamine: 5% of the RDI
Soursop also contains a small amount of niacin, riboflavin, folate and iron.
Interestingly, many parts of the fruit are used medicinally, including the leaves, fruit and stems. It is also used in cooking and can even be applied to the skin.
Research has also unearthed a variety of health benefits for soursop in recent years.
Some test-tube and animal studies have even found that it may help with everything from alleviating inflammation to slowing cancer growth.
If interested further on implementing the tasty fruit in your diet, You can read up a bit more on the benefits @ healthline.com/nutrition/soursop-benefits
Over the past year the soursop tree on the island have been suffering with a Scale Bug disease which robs the plant from its essential nutrient intake.
To understand more about this disease, I gathered some info based on my research a few years back online from gardeningknowhow.com :https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
The scale plant insect consists of three types: armored scale soft scale mealybug Scales, both armored and soft, are the most destructive. Armored scales are more difficult to control once mature. Soft scale bugs excrete large amounts of honeydew, which encourages the growth of sooty mold, a black-colored fungus that interferes with photosynthesis. Mealybugs are easier to control. Scales cannot fly so, dispersal depends on the movement of crawlers. Crawlers may be detected by placing double-sticky tape on plant branches. Scale Insect Control Scale-damaged plants look withered and sickly. Leaves turn yellow and may drop from the plant. They may also have sticky sap or a black fungus on the leaves and stems. Heavily infested plants produce little new growth. If scale insects are not controlled, death of infested plants is possible. Scale insects are invasive and will infest other plants, so move infested plants away from healthy ones.
This invasive species causes a serious threat our production of the fruit and has to be addressed starting now. The St Maarten Agricultural Research and Development Center once completed will try its best to address the situation, seeking support from local community members and government to try keep the disease under control from taking over natures most beneficial crop types that may ensure and encourage healthier eating habits and lifestyle adjustments.
Soursop can fruit all year long, but best production is March through June, in the mean time as we have available we will keep the general public and encourage them to consume the fruit when available, as we don’t know when the shortage may become an issue! Currently on https://soursopstore.com 2-3 pieces may cost you about $79 excluding shipping. I don’t think supporting your local farmers should be a food for thought !
Fresh organic produce, smoothies, natural juices and health vegan and sea food available Mon-Sat 11am to 2pm at St Maarten Agriculture Research and Development Center. Find out how you may become a member and invest with your community towards safeguarding our food security.
Support Spaceless Gardens and ECO St Maarten Agricultural Research and Development Foundation in 2019 ! One love
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