Jabuticaba: What Is It, Properties And Benefits

The jabuticaba, also known as yabuticaba, jaboticaba or guapurú, is a fruit that can be found in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina that has the particularity that it sprouts on the stem of the plant and not in its flowers. This fruit contains few carbohydrates and calories, besides being rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. 

The jabuticaba can be consumed fresh or in preparations, such as jellies, wines, vinegar, brandy and liquors. It is very difficult to get this fruit far from its production regions, since it loses its quality quickly when removed from the tree, its scientific name is Plinia cauliflora. 

Main benefits

Jabuticaba is rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that could provide various health benefits, among them are:

Prevent early aging, cancer and heart disease, being rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins, which decrease inflammation and cell damage caused by free radicals;

Strengthen the immune system, being rich in zinc and vitamin C;

Promote weight loss, because it is low in calories and rich in fiber that increases satiety;

Combat constipation, thanks to its fiber content;

Help control diabetes, since having low carbohydrate content, it prevents the increase in blood sugar;

Improve skin health, because it is rich in vitamin C;

Help prevent anemia, because it contains iron and B complex vitamins. 

It is important to note, that the anthocyanins in jabuticaba are found in higher concentration in its peel, which should be consumed in conjunction with the pulp of the fruit to obtain more benefits.

Nutritional information for jabuticaba

The following table contains the nutritional information for 100 g of jabuticaba, which is equivalent to about 20 units:

As jabuticaba deteriorates quickly, it is best preserved by storing it in the refrigerator or by putting the pulp in small bags, which can be kept in the freezer for 3 months. 

Recipes with jabuticaba

Recipes with this fruit are simple to prepare and delicious, some of them being:

Mousse de jabuticaba

Ingredients

3 cups of jabuticaba;

2 cups of water;

2 cups of coconut milk;

1/2 cup of corn starch;

2/3 cup of mascabado or brown sugar. 

How to prepare

Place the jabuticaba in a pot with the 2 cups of water and bring to medium heat, wait until the fruit peels break (which usually happens after boiling). Remove from the fire, pass the juice through a strainer, squeezing the fruits well to remove the seeds and making the most of the pulp.

In a pot, add the jabuticaba juice, coconut milk, corn starch and sugar. Mix well until the corn starch dissolves and a homogeneous mixture is formed. Place back on the stove over medium heat and stir until the desired consistency is reached. Immediately transfer the mousse to a clean container, allow to cool slightly and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving. 

Strawberry and Jabuticaba Smoothie

Ingredients

1/2 cup strawberry tea (banana or plum can also be used);

1/2 cup jabuticaba tea;

1/2 cup water tea;

4 ice cubes.

How to prepare

Mix all ingredients in blender, serve and drink well chilled. 

Learn about 10 other fruits that help you lose weight.