Fruits, whether tropical, citrus or others, are undoubtedly one of nature’s best gifts to us all. The varying textures, colors, and tastes in the thousands of varieties offer enough for everyone to find their favorite. Besides this, one of the best things about fruits are their names. While many fruits have the same name all around the world, others are called by more distinct names that reflect their native regions and cultures. In fact, you can name at least one fruit for each letter of the alphabet.
This article will talk about two fruits starting with X, namely Xigua and Xylocarp. Keep reading below and learn about these fruits, their tastes, nutritional content, and the health benefits they offer.
1. Xigua
The Xigua fruit is native to Africa and was first discovered nearly a thousand years ago. Although the fruit originates from Africa, Xigua is commonly called the Chinese melon. This is because China has been the primary producer of the fruit. However, it is also grown in Turkey, Brazil and Iran.
Xigua is a type of watermelon. The outside shell could be black or green with some yellow markings. Just like other melons, the pulp could be either a beautiful red-pink or a milder, orangish-yellow. The fruit is favored by many because it’s super juicy and sweet. The yellow pulp is sweeter in taste. Much like regular watermelons, you can eat xigua raw or use it in fruit salads or juices.
Great for hydration, these fruits are also packed with lots of vitamin C, potassium, carbohydrates, and many essential antioxidants. This nutritional value makes the Xigua fruit excellent for preventing cell damage and disease. It is known for preventing many kinds of cancers and heart diseases. The high-water content and potassium help prevent kidney stones and reduce the level of uric acid in blood.
2. Xylocarp
By definition, the Xylocarp is a type of fruit that has a woody hard shell covering the pulp inside. Also known as Cedar Mangrove, xylocarp fruits are quite similar to the coconuts most of us love.
While it’s native to Vietnam, the Xylocarp is commonly grown in various regions across Asia, Africa and some Pacific Islands.
The outer shell is woody. To eat it raw, you have to peel the hard shell off and remove the pulp – much like coconuts. The pulp is creamy and white. The seeds are edible. The taste of the Xylocarp fruit is very sweet.
Packed with loads of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and carbohydrates, the Xylocarp offers many medicinal benefits. The high carbohydrate content makes the fruit great for boosting energy. The vitamins also help improve your body’s immunity, speed up cell repair and regulate healthy bodily functions. The potassium content helps improve the mood and promote healthy kidney function.
