Gandaria Fruit: The Fruit That Many People Forget!

Have you ever heard of this fruit? The name of this fruit is also often used as a street name in several areas, including Jakarta.

Gandaria is a fruit plant that grows in tropical regions and resembles mangoes. This plant is native to Maluku but has spread to Central Java, West Java, Kalimantan, Papua, and even Malaysia.

The fruit scientifically known as Bouea Macrophylla, is one of the dominant fruits in the catchment area forests. This fruit plant is very beneficial for retaining water and protecting the surrounding areas from the dangers of floods and erosion.

About Gandaria Fruit (Taste and Texture)

From a taxonomic perspective, Gandaria fruit belongs to the Spermatophyta division, Dicotyledonae class, in the Anacardiaceae family. This means that Gandaria fruit is closely related to cashews, mangoes, and other fruits.

Gandaria tree trunks are tall, reaching up to 27 meters, with bark that is light brown and often has hanging branches.

Its leaves are single, ranging from oval to lanceolate or peg-like in shape, with pointed or sharp tips and leaf stalks measuring 1-2.5 cm in length.

The flowers appear in the leaf axils, measuring 4-12 cm in length. Most of the flower parts are in multiples of four, small in size, and quickly turn brown.

Meanwhile, Gandaria fruit is a type of stone fruit, somewhat round, with yellow or orange flesh. The fruit is somewhat oval and small (approximately 3-5 cm in diameter). When ripe, it turns reddish-yellow or orange and is juicy.

The flesh of the fruit is thick, with some being sweet and some sour. The flesh around the seed is very sour even when the fruit is ripe. The skin of the fruit can be eaten and tastes sour or sweet and juicy. The color of the seed is purplish.

Facts and Benefits of Gandaria Fruit:

The benefits of this fruit lie in its content of water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamin C. All of these components have a positive impact when consumed regularly.

Gandaria fruit also contains antioxidants with an IC50 value of 36.3 mg/ml. These antioxidants are derived from secondary metabolic compounds such as saponins and phenols found in the fruit's flesh.

Here are the benefits of Gandaria fruit:

1. Stroke Prevention

One of the primary benefits of Gandaria fruit is stroke prevention. It contains 150 mg of fiber, which is believed to effectively bind cholesterol. Fiber can help bind cholesterol and eliminate it through feces, minimizing the risk of stroke.

2. Boosting Immunity

Another benefit of Gandaria fruit is its ability to boost immunity. It has a higher water content, which helps maintain skin moisture. All the water content aids in more effective iron absorption. Additionally, this fruit contains iron, which is believed to enhance the body's resistance to various infections and potential viral attacks.

3. Treatment for Mouth Ulcers 

In addition to boosting immunity, Gandaria fruit is also considered a remedy for mouth ulcers. Consuming Gandaria fruit is a solution when suffering from mouth ulcers. This is because Gandaria fruit contains 100 mg of vitamin C, while the human body only requires 60 mg of vitamin C. As a result, the relatively high vitamin C content in Gandaria fruit can help prevent and treat mouth ulcers.

4. Bone Health

Another benefit of Gandaria fruit is its ability to maintain bone health. Some people believe that calcium is only found in milk. However in reality, Gandaria fruit also contains calcium essential for bone formation. The calcium content and the role of minerals in Gandaria fruit are believed to help in the vital process of bone formation, resulting in healthier and stronger bones.

5. Brain Function

Another benefit of Gandaria fruit is its ability to support brain function. Research suggests that 70 percent of the human brain consists of water. Therefore, humans need an adequate intake of water to maintain optimal brain function. The high water content in Gandaria fruit can help maintain proper brain function.

Gandaria Fruit Available on E-commerce

Not only can you shop online for clothing and cosmetics, but you can also buy vegetables and fruits through your gadgets. There are many e-commerce platforms that provide this service, including Shopee, Tokopedia, and Lazada.

Although Gandaria fruit is considered rare, technological advancements have made it easy to obtain. Many fruit vendors now sell their products online through e-commerce applications.

Gandaria fruit is currently widely available on e-commerce platforms, so you don't need to go looking for it elsewhere. Through online shopping apps, you can purchase Gandaria fruit right from your home using your smartphone.

Recommendations for Fertilizers for Gandaria Plants

Gandaria plants can grow in lowland and highland areas. In the wild, Gandaria plants can grow at altitudes of 300 meters above sea level, but in cultivation, they have been successfully grown at altitudes of up to 850 meters above sea level.

If you're interested in cultivating Gandaria plants, here are some things to consider:

1. If you're using seeds, choose Gandaria trees with a good pedigree. Collect fruit from the tree, separate the seeds from the fruit flesh, than sow and plant them until they sprout. Once they grow to about 20 cm, transfer the seedlings to polybags and then to the soil when the plants reach around 70 cm in height. If using vegetative methods, common techniques include grafting and budding. You can buy grafted seedlings from fruit plant vendors or nurseries.

2. Dig a hole that is 50 cm deep and measures 40 cm x 40 cm. Then, sprinkle compost or manure up to one-third of the hole's depth and let it stabilize for 5-7 days. Pay attention to the planting area to ensure that Gandaria plants receive sufficient sunlight. Avoid planting Gandaria near buildings as their roots could potentially damage the structures.

3. For maintenance, remove weeds around the Gandaria plants to prevent nutrient competition and allow them to grow optimally. Fertilize the plants when they are 2 months old using manure, and try to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers. Manure contains a variety of nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, nitrogen, iron, copper, phosphorus, and sulfur. When provided as plant fertilizer, these nutrients can improve soil conditions, enhance water absorption, and stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. (Nisa)