The tejocotes They are a traditional fruit of the december season which is mainly grown in Pueblaan entity that contributes 93 percent of national production, which amounts to just over 4 thousand tons. Jalisco, CDMX and Zacatecas are also producersalthough in smaller quantities.
It is fruit of Mexican origin It comes from the Nahuatl “texocotl” which means “hard fruit with a sour taste”; Its peel is generally orange and yellow tones with some small black dots and it is very aromatic.
The tejocote grows on a tree called manzanillo which can grow between four and ten meters high and is full of thorns, develops mainly in temperate climates with little humidity; It is harvested from August and November and December are the months when it is most consumed.
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What properties do tejocotes have?
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Social Developmenttejocotes have properties and benefits for the human body, among which are:
- They have a rich content in vitamin C which helps strengthen the immune system, preventing diseases.
- Contains soccer so it benefits the growth and strengthening of bones.
- Its contribution of vitamins B complex They help the body form red blood cells and prevent diseases.
- Contribute hierro benefiting the hemoglobin of human blood.
- Promotes coagulation blood.
- Lowers blood glucose levelswhich makes it an ideal food for people living with diabetes.
Additionally, its high content of pectin makes it a fruit used in food manufacturing, as well as in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
How can they be consumed?
There are various ways in which tejocotes can be consumed, although raw they do not have the best flavor, in many recipes for both drinks and sweets, they become a delicious component.
Tejocotes are a fundamental ingredient of the traditional christmas punchgiving it a subtle acidic and aromatic touch; They can also be used in preparations such as jams, jams, preserves, liqueurs and typical sweets Mexicans.
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The tejocotes in the past
In the traditional medicine was used to prepare home remedies against flu, cough, stomach upset, among others.
According to him Agri-Food and Fisheries Information Service of the Government of Mexico, the prehispanic cultures They used tejocotes to cure different health problems such as:
- Respiratory diseases: cough, pneumonia, bronchitis, cold and lung pain; Tejocote could be accompanied with elderflower, cherimoya peel, lime peel, ocote, cinnamon or eucalyptus.
- Digestive diseases: diarrhea, amoebas, dysentery, stomach pain, anger was also treated with a mixture of the leaves and bark of the tejocote tree, this was administered orally.
- Between other treatments in which tejocote was used was to lose weight, as a diuretic, antispasmodic, to improve coronary circulation and to moderate contractions in case of tachycardia.
Whether prepared sweetly, in punch and integrated into the filling of piñatas in posadas, tejocotes are a fruit of the winter season that you cannot stop consuming during these Christmas holidays.