Falcon fruit, also known as yingtao, is a unique fruit that grows in the southern regions of China. This bright red fruit is known for its tart, sweet taste and soft flesh – somewhat similar to a cherry or cranberry. While not very common outside of Asia, falcon fruit does have some interesting properties that make it worth learning about.
What is Falcon Fruit?
Falcon fruit comes from the Chinese hawthorn tree, which produces small red berries approximately 1-2 cm in diameter. The fruit grows in clusters, with each berry containing a large seed in the middle. While the berries resemble cranberries or cherries, falcon fruit has a more complex, tropical flavor. The taste is a balance of sweet and tart, with subtle notes of pine and citrus. When ripe, the flesh is soft and almost gelatinous in texture.
In traditional Chinese medicine, falcon fruit is considered to have cooling properties and is believed to nourish the yin, clear heat, and promote body fluid production. It is often used to make herbals teas and tonics for conditions involving fever, irritability, thirst, and restlessness. The high antioxidant content also makes it valued for health and longevity.
While not as common in the West, falcon fruit can sometimes be found in Asian specialty grocery stores when in season. It is primarily produced in Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and Jiangxi provinces of China.
Nutrition Facts
Falcon fruit is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Some of the main active compounds include:
- Vitamin C – Very high levels, even more than oranges. This vitamin is an essential antioxidant that supports immune function.
- Vitamin A – Falcon fruit contains beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This vitamin is important for eye health and cell growth.
- Organic acids – The tart, acidic taste comes from the presence of citric acid, malic acid, and oxalic acid. These organic acids support detoxification.
- Polysaccharides – Bioactive carbohydrates with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
- Polyphenols – Phytochemicals that provide antioxidant and anti-cancer effects.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the polyphenols and polysaccharides are believed to be responsible for many of the health benefits associated with falcon fruit.
Potential Health Benefits
A number of preliminary research studies have suggested potential health benefits linked to eating falcon fruit:
Supports Immune Function
The high vitamin C content helps boost immune cell activity and provide antioxidant protection against free radicals. In Chinese medicine, this makes falcon fruit valued for strengthening defence against pathogens.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
The polyphenols and polysaccharides in falcon fruit demonstrate anti-inflammatory activities. By reducing excessive inflammation, falcon fruit may help with conditions like arthritis, dermatitis, and joint pain.
Anti-Cancer Potential
Test tube and animal studies show promising anti-tumor abilities. The bioactive compounds are believed to induce cancer cell apoptosis (death) and inhibit the spread of cancer. More research is still needed to confirm effects in humans.
Supports Digestion
Falcon fruit acts as a mild natural laxative thanks to its fiber content. It may help relieve constipation and maintain regular bowel movements. The organic acids also promote gut health by feeding beneficial probiotic bacteria.
Protects the Liver
Active compounds like polyphenols demonstrate hepatoprotective properties, meaning they may help keep liver cells healthy and prevent damage. This could have implications for conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
How to Eat Falcon Fruit
When fresh, falcon fruit can be eaten raw like cherries or cranberries. Many people also like to cook with it by adding it to dishes like:
- Fruit salads – Mix with mango, lychee, pineapple etc.
- Yogurt parfaits
- Oatmeal
- Smoothies – Blend with banana, yogurt, and milk/juice
Falcon fruit also works well in jams, chutneys, compotes, and sauces. When making desserts or baked goods, its gelling properties allow it to thicken up mixtures nicely.
The fruit can also be juiced and made into beverages like juices, teas, cocktails, and infused water. Chinese herbal medicine uses dried berries to make hot tonics that are consumed for various health purposes.
Possible Side Effects and Precautions
For most people falcon fruit is considered safe to eat in normal food amounts. However, there are some potential side effects and precautions to be aware of:
- Allergic reactions – Those with sensitivity to plants in the rose family may experience allergy symptoms.
- Medication interactions – Effects on blood sugar and blood pressure are possible. Those on diabetes or blood pressure medications should monitor levels.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding – Best to avoid due to lack of safety research.
- Oxalate content – People prone to kidney stones should limit intake of high-oxalate foods like falcon fruit.
Using Falcon Fruit for Grinding
The use of falcon fruit for grinding purposes is not very common. However, there are some ways the fruit could potentially be used in grinding applications:
Food Grinding
Falcon fruit has a soft, almost creamy flesh when ripe. This texture allows it to breakdown easily in a food processor or blender. It can be used to create fruit spreads, purees, sauces, and pastes. Adding some falcon fruit to other fruits/vegetables can help grind them down more smoothly.
Pigment Grinding
The deep red pigments of falcon fruit could potentially be extracted and ground into a natural powder dye. However, this would require an extensive process to isolate the pigments. There is no evidence that falcon fruit pigments are commonly used for coloring or grinding purposes.
Herbal Medicine Grinding
In Chinese medicine, dried falcon fruit may be ground down as part of herbal formulations. It can be powdered along with other herbs in order to create concentrated extracts and tonics. This allows for easier consumption compared to using whole dried berries.
Abrasive Grinding
The hardness of falcon fruit seeds makes them unsuitable for use as an abrasive grinding material. While the dried berries are sometimes used medicinally, the seed is always removed first. There is no practical use of falcon fruit seeds for grinding down other materials.
Conclusion
Falcon fruit is an intriguing Chinese fruit with some interesting health benefits when consumed. However, there is limited information on using it for direct grinding purposes. The soft flesh has little abrasive power, while the hard seeds are inedible and typically removed during processing. There is minor potential to use falcon fruit as part of food grinding or herbal medicine production. But overall, this fruit is better suited for eating as a fresh berry or using as an ingredient in prepared recipes. While nutrient-dense, falcon fruit does not have strong practical value for grinding materials. Any grinding application would depend on extraction and concentration of the beneficial compounds like polyphenols first.