June 17, 2018

miracle fruit

A miracle fruit tree on the roadside of Brgy. Mambago, Sta. Rosa, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) in Samal island, Davao del sur.


miracle fruit - (Mindanao fruit) [n.] calabash (sc.name: Crescentia cujete).




Miracle  fruit (Calabash) is used to be known only in Mindanao. It was seen growing anywhere there (in red). Latest distribution inventory shows miracle fruit is now all over the Philippines. I marked the provinces and islands in orange labels where miracle fruit is now grown and distributed by locals.

Miracle fruit (internationally known as the calabash) is a tree that bears huge fruits that looks like a buko (young coconut). It grows abundantly everywhere in Mindanao, some parts of the Bicol region, and in the Visayas. Few are also growing in Luzon up to the northern part of Ilocos and Cagayan region (see the food map, above, for the latest inventory). 

At first glance, you could have mistaken this as a young coconut fruit growing on a small tree.

Sadly, most of the fallen fruits were left to rot on the ground. Most local folks do not know what to do to make good use of this wonderful fruit. They dreaded the black color of its flesh and the gummy smell. What they do not realize is that black juice is sweet and has healing wonders, the reason why old folks called it the "miracle fruit."

I tried one. And yes, it was wonderful.


The  outer shell is very hard that you have to cut it with a saw to split open into halves You cannot just cut the calabash fruit with a knife, unless you use a big bolo or machete.   

Many who tried this drink claimed they experienced rejuvenating vigor and mental alertness. It is good when you are going to study, review, or take an exam.  

Local women who have tried the freshly extracted black juice claimed it helped ease their menstrual pain. 

Drinking miracle fruit juice is relaxing and helps you go to sleep, relieve stress, and feel well-rested as you wake up. It makes the skin glow healthy, and feel younger again.

Good for those who are recuperating from sickness and a treat after a weary activity. 


The flesh is white, moist, and soft.
 
I experimented with the first calabash fruit I got from Mindanao. I extracted the juice and processed my first miracle fruit wine at home. I hand-carried one fresh green fruit of calabash on my flight from Misamis Oriental to Metro Manila. I cut open and processed the fruit juice into miracle fruit wine using the needed ingredients that were found in the groceries. After three months of fermentation, I had the wine and enjoyed it.

I wonder if this fruit once grew in the fountain of youth. The vigor made me feel younger. Next time, I will no longer bring a calabash fruit. I will bring the tree.

When boiled, the flesh of calabash turns black.

Here's a calabash fruit I found in Cagayan de oro City, Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. I brought it home in Metro Manila. Cooked it into tea and later processed into wine.
How to know if the miracle fruit is already ripe to harvest:
  • The color of the fruit is dark green and has slight shades and spots of brown.
  • The surface or outer skin is no longer shiny.
  • It is heavier and sounds dull when you knock it with your fingers.         


Personal Notes

Miracle fruit (Calabash) is used to be known only in Mindanao. It was seen growing anywhere there (shaded red in the food map, above). The latest distribution inventory shows miracle fruit is now all over the Philippines. I marked the provinces and islands in orange labels where miracle fruit is now grown and distributed by locals.

I first saw this fruit and the tree on the campus of Notre Dame University, Cotabato City on November 10, 2010. Since then, I took notes on where else I found miracle fruit in Mindanao.

In 2017, I picked a fruit from a tree in Cagayan de Oro and hand-carried it on my flight back to Manila where I tried to process it into wine. The wine turned out good - it tastes jammy and fruity. I kept a bottle of it until now for aging.

Related readings:

Know more about calabash here 


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9 comments:

  1. I've heard a lot about this plant about haven't tried it yet. With my friends telling me about it I've no doubt about it's medicinal & recuperative properties. I wonder how do you propagate the plant/tree? Is it through cuttings or through its seeds?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. through branch cuttings, plant directly to the ground.

      Delete
  2. Propagating miracle fruit/calabash it can be both through cutting the stem and through planting matured seeds

    ReplyDelete
  3. if this taste sweet, is it fine to drink someone who has diabetes?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow!
    Thanks for your blog, we are guided on what to do this calabash. It really has a strong smell that almost makes me dizzy. I heard this is one thing to cure cancer. I hope our plant here grows.
    I wanted to share your blog to keep everyone informed and not just depend on tablets.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow!
    Thanks for your blog, we are guided on what to do this calabash. It really has a strong smell that almost makes me dizzy. I heard this is one thing to cure cancer. I hope our plant here grows.
    I wanted to share your blog to keep everyone informed and not just depend on tablets.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have planted 4 miracle fruit tree here in Pangasinan , Philippines. I am happy that my plant have fruit already. I want to make a fusion out of it.., thanks for your blog. I’ve learned a lot in your blog. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for keeping informed about this miracle fruit. It is my first time to see such fruit which was given by my brother. I hope the cuttings given by him will grow as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mahusay o magaling po ba sa enlarge prostate?

    ReplyDelete

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