The health benefits of prickly pear
Regulates transit
The prickly pear provides fiber in considerable quantities, which will facilitate intestinal transit by fighting against constipation .
Antioxidant
It is the vitamin C provided by the prickly pear which gives it antioxidant properties. It will therefore allow good cell renewal for all body tissues.
Hydrating
Composed of a large amount of water, the prickly pear is a thirst-quenching fruit that perfectly completes good hydration with drinking water to keep you in shape.
Nutritional values of prickly pear
Per 100g prickly pear
| Water | 87.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 0.31 g |
| Protein | 0.51 g |
| Fibers | 4.45 g |
| Magnesium | 77 mg |
| Vitamin A | 60 µg |
| Vitamin C | 12.5 mg |
| Energy | 54.7 kcal |
| Energy | 228.64 kJ |
The main nutrients in prickly pear
Water
The prickly pear is very rich in water, which makes it an ideal fruit for the summer with its refreshing and refreshing side.
Vitamin A
This vitamin contained in the prickly pear allows in particular a good renewal of the tissues of the organism.
Magnesium
The prickly pear contributes to a good contribution in magnesium, which will allow in particular to maintain the muscles, the nervous system and to take part in a good digestion.
Vitamin C
The vitamin C provided by the prickly pear gives it good antioxidant properties, so it will help you fight against cell aging.
Be careful not to consume the prickly pear in too large quantities because its seeds can cause digestive disturbances, and in particular intestinal obstructions .
Using the prickly pear in the kitchen: some recipe ideas
The taste of prickly pear
During tasting, there are sweet and sweet flavors, slightly acidulous. Its water composition makes this fruit very juicy and refreshing.
How to choose the prickly pear correctly?
It is found from August to October on our markets, at maturity it takes an orange hue and its skin is supple. The weight of the prickly pear is very variable since it can go from 50g to 400g.
Its flesh can be yellow, red or even purple, which will slightly influence the flavor of the prickly pear.
How to properly store the prickly pear?
It can be stored at room temperature or in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
How to cook the prickly pear?
It can be eaten raw, in fruit juice, in pie, in fruit paste or in jam. In Mexico, it is cut into sticks to roast and consume as an accompaniment to meat.
Fermented, the prickly pear is used in the composition of tequila.
How to eat a prickly pear?
As the fruit has many thorns, it can seem difficult to prepare without hurting yourself. You will easily find prickly pears already peeled or without thorns. In this case, you just have to cut it in half and taste the flesh with a spoon.
If you opt for an unpeeled prickly pear, you will just have to plant a fork in the fruit, make a knife incision at the top and bottom of the fruit then an incision along the length of the fruit, you will only have ” to remove the skin delicately and to feast on its juicy flesh.
Little story of the prickly pear
Very consumed in Mexico, in the stalls you will find prickly pears coming from North Africa, Spain, Sardinia and Sicily.
The thorns present on the prickly pear skin make its harvest long and difficult, which explains the rarity of this fruit.
