The Bứa fruit is not a commonly known fruit, and many people in Quảng Ninh are even unaware of its existence. However, this fruit has numerous benefits and is extremely safe to use.
Essential Information About the Bứa Fruit
What is the Bứa fruit?
The Bứa fruit has a pleasant aroma, a sour taste, and its skin is green when unripe and yellow when ripe.
The Bứa fruit belongs to the same family as the mangosteen, a famous fruit from the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Unlike mangosteen, the Bứa fruit has a pleasant aroma, a sour taste, and its skin is green when unripe and turns yellow when ripe. People often use the Bứa fruit as a spice in sour soups or braised fish dishes.
The Bứa fruit originates from southern India and Southeast Asia, and in Vietnam, it can be found in some central provinces. The Bứa tree is medium-sized, and its harvest season typically falls between the sixth and eighth lunar months each year. The price for one kilogram of Bứa ranges from 50,000 to 70,000 VND. People usually find Bứa in markets in the Central or Southern regions, while in other provinces, it appears to be an unknown fruit.
According to Netmeds, the skin of the Bứa fruit has a high phytochemical content, including hydroxycitric acid and other compounds like polyphenols, luteolin, and kaempferol. Approximately 100 grams of the skin contains about 17.2g of carbohydrates, 0.5g of fat, 2.3g of protein, 1.24g of fiber, 15.14 mg of iron, 250 mg of calcium, 10 mg of ascorbic acid, and 18.10 mg of oxalic acid.
Thanks to its impressive nutritional content in both the skin and the flesh, the Bứa fruit provides many health benefits.
Characteristics of the Bứa fruit
The Bứa fruit’s scientific name is Garcinia oblongifolia Champ, which often grows wild in many mountainous provinces. In Quảng Ninh, this tree is mostly found in the islands of Quan Lạn and Ngọc Vừng in Vân Đồn district, but the quantity is limited.
The Bứa tree is a large woody plant, typically 6-7 meters tall, with some perennial trees reaching 10-15 meters high and having a wide canopy. Young branches are usually square-shaped, spreading horizontally and drooping. The leaves are lanceolate, slightly elongated, with a pointed tip, entire edges, and a smooth, shiny surface with many faint spots. The Bứa fruit is juicy, has thick skin, and features lobed segments, resembling a guava.
The Bứa fruit not only enhances the flavor of each meal but is also very beneficial for health.
The Bứa fruit has a light, pleasant aroma, is seed-filled, sour in taste, and has green skin that turns yellow when ripe. The harvesting time is from August to October each year, and the Bứa fruit in Quảng Ninh is currently in season.
A Fruit with Many Miraculous Benefits
Historically, Bứa has been regarded as a medicinal plant for treating ailments such as itching, coughing up blood, allergies, gastric ulcers, and poor digestion. These benefits were discovered when using the bark of the Bứa tree, which is rich in vitamin C.
Reduces Cholesterol
Additionally, the Bứa fruit contains a significant amount of Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA). This compound helps reduce the conversion of sugars into fats, shrinking fat cells and decreasing the synthesis of bad cholesterol in the body.
Aids Weight Loss
Research by scientists has shown that the components in Bứa skin can suppress appetite, effectively aiding in the burning of excess fats and promoting weight loss. Meanwhile, the sap from the Bứa tree can treat burns.
This fruit can also inhibit an enzyme called citrate lyase, which plays a crucial role in fat production. By inhibiting citrate lyase, the Bứa fruit is believed to slow down or prevent fat production in your body, potentially reducing blood fat levels and lowering the risk of weight gain.
After being harvested, the Bứa fruit is processed and dried to be used as a seasoning for dishes.
Boosts Energy
When starting a weight loss journey, your body undergoes significant changes, and many people feel fatigued with less toned muscles after weight loss. However, extracts from the Bứa fruit can help combat this issue by providing a surge of energy to overcome exhaustion during weight loss. If you’ve felt life has been dull for years, perhaps it’s time for a change!
Enhances Metabolism
Generally, anything that can speed up calorie burning and reduce cholesterol will have an incredible impact on body function. If you want to enhance your metabolism and shorten the weight loss process, incorporating Bứa fruit into your daily diet is a wise choice. Boosting metabolism means increasing energy instantly and reducing the conversion of calories into fat.
Combats Depression
The organic compounds found in the Bứa fruit can act as antidepressants, specifically by releasing serotonin – the hormone associated with feelings of “contentment” or “joy.” This creates a self-sustaining cycle—using herbal extracts, losing weight, feeling uplifted and motivated, and then committing to continue and achieve goals. This mood-stabilizing ability relies on the efficacy of HCA on neurotransmitters and low stress levels, potentially contributing to the treatment of chronic depression.
Bứa is typically harvested when the fruit is ripe or near ripeness, after which the seeds are removed, leaving the skin. The skin is then sliced thin and dried for preservation, either for medicinal use or for cooking sour soups and braised fish dishes.
Prevents Diabetes
Individuals who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than others. Since the Bứa fruit aids in weight loss and improves blood triglyceride levels, it can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, the Bứa fruit reduces inflammation, improves balance, and controls blood sugar levels, enhancing insulin sensitivity. Combined with overall weight loss and the management of these factors, this fruit can significantly impact those at risk of diabetes or facing other metabolic issues.
Inhibits Kidney Stone Development and Dissolves Stones
Researchers at the University of Houston (USA) discovered that the HCA found in the Bứa fruit can slow the accumulation of oxalates and calcium. The research results are considered very promising for patients with kidney stones, especially since kidney stone treatment methods have changed little in the past 30 years, according to Daily Mail.
“HCA shows that it is a very promising compound for treating kidney stones in patients,” said Dr. Jeffrey Rimer, the lead researcher at the University of Houston.
A Distinctive Spice
Unlike the sharp sourness of lemons or the astringency of green plums used in boiling water for water spinach, the sourness of Bứa is light, fragrant, and mild. Pouring a little soup water from boiled water spinach with some Bứa skin over rice, or pairing it with pickled eggplants truly embodies the Northern taste, making one reminisce about childhood memories of enjoying multiple bowls of rice with boiled water spinach. When boiling water spinach, it is important to note that after the vegetables are cooked, remove them before adding about two pieces of Bứa skin, as too much can make it overly sour and unpalatable.
The sour fish soup will taste better with the addition of 2-3 pieces of Bứa skin.
The Bứa skin used in sour soups or braised fish is typically added to the pot along with other ingredients from the start. As the fish cooks or the soup is finished, the sour flavor of the Bứa skin dissolves, enriching the dish with a pleasant sourness that is not overwhelming.
One key distinction that makes the bứa fruit more popular than other fruits, especially among coastal residents, is that bứa is often sun-dried, does not require refrigeration, and is easy to store; simply placing it in a jar or a tightly sealed plastic bag allows it to be used for several years. In contrast, fruits such as lemons, soursop, tamarind, and sour apples generally need to be consumed fresh or require refrigeration for long-term storage. However, a few years ago, the islands of Quảng Ninh lacked electricity, making refrigeration unfeasible. As a result, locals primarily preserved bứa for gradual consumption.
Does bứa Fruit Have Side Effects?
Although bứa fruit can provide health benefits, excessive consumption may pose certain health risks, including:
- Symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and other gastrointestinal and upper respiratory symptoms.
- Severe liver damage and complications in the eyes (reduced vision and eye pain). This can occur from consuming too much bứa, particularly when intake exceeds 2,800 milligrams (mg) of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a compound found in bứa.
- Bứa fruit may also interact with certain medications. Therefore, if you are taking any medication, it is advisable to consult a doctor before consuming this fruit.
Consuming too much bứa may cause nausea and headaches. (Image: Internet).
3. How Can Bứa Fruit Be Eaten?
Both the core and the rind of bứa can be consumed, allowing for various ways to enjoy this fruit.
- First, people can eat bứa as a fruit, specifically enjoying the sweet inner core.
- Second, the rind of bứa can be used to prepare sour soups or to braise fish.
- Third, bứa can also be sun-dried to make a daily tea, but it is advisable not to exceed 500 mg in consumption.
In conclusion, bứa not only offers a delicious flavor but is also known for its health benefits, particularly its weight loss effects. However, it is essential to incorporate bứa into your diet in a balanced way, creating a diverse menu to ensure that your body receives adequate nutrients. Avoid consuming too much bứa in a single day or at once, as this could negatively impact your health.