Quenepa’s taste can vary from tart to sweet. Sour types are often paired with chili, lime, and salt for a spicy snack, while sweeter varieties are simply enjoyed by cracking the outer green shell and sucking out the pulp, much like eating a lychee.
Nutritional Powerhouse
Packed with essential nutrients, quenepas deliver a rich supply of vitamins A, B-complex, and C, along with important minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
They also provide proteins, amino acids (notably tryptophan and lysine), healthy fats, phytonutrients, and dietary fiber.
Beyond the pulp, roasted quenepa seeds offer antioxidant and antifungal properties.
Traditionally, ground seeds mixed with water have been used as a natural remedy for diarrhea.
Both the pulp and fruit itself possess antibacterial and antifungal properties, with potential health benefits that include:
- Supporting digestion
- Lowering blood pressure
- Relieving asthma and other respiratory conditions, particularly where electrolyte imbalances (like low phosphorus) are present
- Helping with constipation
- Managing cholesterol levels
- Regulating blood sugar
- Easing symptoms of herpes simplex and labialis due to high lysine content
- Promoting sleep, thanks to tryptophan, which is needed for serotonin production, a key hormone for sleep regulation
Altogether, this vibrant fruit nourishes the body in many ways and can be eaten fresh, juiced, or cooked into spreads like jam.
How to Enjoy Quenepa: Juice Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of peeled quenepas
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, blended and strained
- 1 quart of water
- Juice of 1 lime
- Raw, unfiltered honey (to taste)
Instructions:
1. While water is boiling, peel the quenepas and place the fruits in a large bowl.
2. Pour the hot water over the fruit and let it sit for around 20 minutes, or until cooled.
3. Use your hands to gently separate the pulp from the seeds, squeezing to extract as much juice as possible into the water.
4. Strain the liquid, then stir in lime juice and sweeten with honey to your preference.
5. Refrigerate and enjoy chilled.
