Some weeks ago, I was at my cousin’s on what was supposed to be a short family visit. But it turned out to be a long business meeting, as my reason for visiting got changed, after about five minutes of my stay there. I saw some papers on his study table, and Tom, I knew, was doing some research for his postgraduate programme, so seeing the papers weren’t a reason to be surprised. What got my attention was an image I saw. It looked like one of those things I knew but never paid attention to. It took me a while to realize that it was an image on the front cover of a book I had on my shelf; a long-ignored book. I took a closer look and remembered its name, mayhaw. Tom saw my interest and expressed how he had gone around the world trying to get some information on the fruit. He also told me about how he needed a research assistant. And it was at that point that my being at Tom’s remained unforgettable, even till this time. I got the deal right away. I’ll tell you more, later.
Getting Familiar…
Mayhaw is a type of berry usually harvested at late spring, May to be precise. Hence, the reason it is called ‘Mayhaw’. Amazing, isn’t it? Mayhaws are known to be in excess during this period (late spring/early summer). They are likely to be seen gathered under their trees, forming canopies for easier pickup. It is much easier to use nets, and sometimes, buckets full of water could be used so as to get them fresh. One could also shake the tree or its branches to make them fall off their branches. Mayhaws are red, yellow, pink and orange in color. The red mayhaws are more common than the yellow, pink and the orange ones. Mayhaws are like small crab apples and cranberries and have similarities in taste, shape, and color. Mayhaws are usually found in swampy areas. The people of the Southern part of the United States of America believe Mayhaws could only grow better in swampy areas. Not only could they grow in swampy areas, they also grow perfectly well on dry land too. Meanwhile, mayhaw trees are of different types. There are basically three different types of mayhaw trees namely big red, super spur and heavy. Super spur mayhaw trees are known to produce flavored berries for jellies and syrup. These trees live so much longer that they are capable of producing fruit for fifty years and more. Mayhaws are highly acidic and they taste so sweet. Though mayhaws’ skins are bitter, however, jellies and syrups are extracted from the strained juice of the fruit.
To make mayhaw based jelly, cook the fruit in boiling water; once it is cooked, cheesecloth should be used in extracting the juice from the berries. Cheesecloth is used so as to prevent the seed from getting into the jelly. Mayhaw jelly and syrup can be served with ice cream, coffee cake, biscuit or toast, depending on one’s choice.
A Brief History
We really should discuss the history of this fruit. Mayhaws are fruits found in Texas, Georgia, Florida and most especially Louisiana. If one mentions Louisiana, then one is most likely to talk about mayhaw, trust me. So, yes, Mayhaws are mostly found in Louisiana. Mayhaws are known to make jellies, jam, juice, and syrup. They are one of America’s recipe for enjoyable desserts. Some Southern Americans actually celebrate Mayhaw Festival during late spring and early summer because they are usually harvested during that period.
Getting Deeper…
Mayhaws are eaten more for pleasure rather than their nutrition. This is a reason there aren`t so many health benefits. There are relatively fewer nutritional values. They contain carbohydrate, vitamin C, and beta-carotene which provide the body with vitamin A. Minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, and potassium are also found in mayhaws. Meanwhile, ascordic acid is destroyed when mayhaws are made to jelly. Mayhaws could be cooked or frozen, depending on how quickly they`ll get consumed.
Now, Health Benefits of Mayhaw…
Mayhaws Are Medicinal
Mayhaws are indeed highly medicinal. They contain flavonoids such as kaempferol, rutin, naringenin, apigenin, quercetin, myricetin, oligomeric and procyanidins which are highly medicinal. These medicinal properties, however, provide antioxidants which are useful for the regulation of blood sugar. The regulation of blood sugar in the system helps reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
Helps Fight Heart Failure
Did you know mayhaws help fight heart failure? Interestingly, they do! They help fight heart failure, improving the function of the heart of diagnosed patients. All thanks to the antioxidants found in mayhaws.
Prevents Diseases Caused by Oxidative Stress
Antioxidants also help prevent diseases caused by a certain stress called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the release of certain oxygens in the body, which is a catalyst for disorders such as autoimmune diseases. These autoimmune diseases are rheumatism, cataracts, and cardiovascular malfunction, amongst other autoimmune diseases.
Cures Cancer
Doctors usually advise patients diagnosed with cancer to invest so much in mayhaws because they help fight cancer. Thank goodness we have another cancer-fighting agent. Mayhaws are great.
Potent Anti-bacteria
Mayhaws could help tackle enteric infections like diarrhea. The extract of ethanol from mayhaw is an anti-bacteria tackling the enteric bacterial pathogens which cause diarrhea.
Cures Liver Disorders
Are you aware that mayhaws, their peels especially, are enriched in polyphenols? Polyphenols such as hyperoside, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin and rutine are good sources in matters of curing liver disorders such as hepatitis. Now you know, go for mayhaws!
Helps in Treating Indigestion
Mayhaws aid easy digestion because they help in the proper functioning of the stomach. This is why they are highly recommended for treating indigestion and sometimes, abdominal pain.
Great for Lowering Cholesterol
Mayhaws help lower levels of cholesterol in the body because they boost the fecal neutral sterol excretion. This is as a result of the presence of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid in mayhaws, which are responsible for lowering cholesterol.
Helps Fight Cardiovascular Diseases
Hyperlipidemia, hypertension and arrhythmic (and more) are those cardiovascular diseases mayhaws could help to prevent and cure. So yes, mayhaws care for the heart. Isn’t that so cool?
Final Words…
So now you know. This fruit should be added to your list of consumed fruits asap. Remember to tell others about it.
So at Tom’s…I knew you were waiting for this. *smiles*
We got talking, and I made him realize that I could get him a book on mayhaws. In fact, I found two on my shelf. I also became his research assistant; we wrote on mayhaws and other fruits. If you keep visiting this website, you’ll get to know more. It was so great working with my cousin, my business partner, I mean. *laughs* The time I spent him was an opportune time for me to learn so much more than I knew. I won’t hesitate to share some of my newly acquired knowledge with you. Until the next article is posted, enjoy eating mayhaws, and enjoy its not-so-many but super benefits, and get your body system fit in more ways than you can imagine. I’ll be waiting to read your comments, as you share your experiences.
