Ackee/akea, a little-known fruit
The health benefits of akea
Facilitates digestion
It is the fiber content of akea that will regulate intestinal transit and facilitate digestion as a whole.
Boosts immune defenses
Vitamin C present in akea will boost the body’s immune defenses while playing a very interesting antioxidant role.
Please note that akea can also be toxic if it is poorly selected, so opt for ripe akea arils or consume it in the form of food supplements or essential oil for more safety.
Nutritional values of akea
Per 100g of akee arils
| Water | 58g |
| Carbohydrates | 9.6g |
| Fat | 18.8g |
| Protein | 8.8g |
| Phosphorus | 98 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
| Calcium | 83 mg |
| Vitamin C | 65 mg |
| Energy | 242.8 kcal |
| Energy | 1014.90 kJ |
The main nutrients in akee
Protein
Akea is rich in protein, however, it is consumed in small quantities, so it cannot replace the proteins provided by other main foods of the daily diet.
Phosphorus
The phosphorus will help bone growth but also encourage muscle and brain dynamism.
Calcium
The calcium found in akea has the role of helping to regulate the nervous system and heart rate, however it is present in small amounts in akea.
Vitamin C
Very good natural antioxidant, vitamin C also plays a key role in the immune defenses by stimulating them, it is present in acne in significant quantities.
Using akee in the kitchen: some recipe ideas
The taste of akea
Akea is a fruit similar to lychee with a slightly sweet taste.
How to choose the right one?
We can only consume the aril on the akée, therefore prefer the akée already prepared or even integrated into a meal cooked by specialists to avoid any toxic risk.
How to store akee well?
If you buy fresh akee, it will keep for several days at room temperature.
How to cook akee?
Akea is typical in Jamaican cuisine, it is found in many traditional recipes such as cod aki.
If you have never used akee, do not prepare it yourself and seek the advice of a specialist in Jamaican cuisine.
A little history of akea
Unripe fruits contain toxins (hypoglycin A and B) which can be dangerous for humans, even ripe fruits can cause vomiting disease in Jamaica.
