So, what is maprang? This is an exotic fruit you can usually only find in some specific areas where it is grown.

Being rare, it is not commonly known by people; also, only some know this small fruit’s amazing benefits. Following is a brief discussion of what exactly Maprang is and its benefits.

See also Best Fruits Containing Vitamin C and  Fruits That Start With M.

What Is Maprang?

Multiple Maprang Fruit on a tree limb

The maprang is grown on a beautiful small tree with dark green, glossy foliage and a slim straight trunk. It is known to produce one of the rarest of all tropical fruits.

The fruit has a close resemblance to mango, with a small, single seed grown extensively in Thailand. They are usually oval-shaped with 3-7 cm in length.

When ripe, its skin is yellow or apricot in color with a smell of turpentine. Its yellow or orange pulp is juicy and tastes acidic or sweet.

  • Family: Anacardiaceae
  • Botanical name: Maprang mangoes are botanically classified as Boueamacrophylla.
  • Common names: Maprang is also known as Marian plum, Ma-praang, Gandaria, Kundangan, Rembunia, Marian mango, Plum Mango and Somprang.
  • Height of the tree:20 to 25 meters
  • Insect pests: The only major pests of this plant are chewing insects, such as caterpillars and grasshoppers.

Where is maprang from?

Maprang mangoes are native to Southeast Asia, where they have been found in the wild since ancient times, although the exact origin of the plant is unknown.

Today the fruit is grown in home gardens and is cultivated on a small scale in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Laos, along with its predominant cultivation from tropical forests.

Once harvested, Maprang is available at fresh markets in Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Laos, Western Java, the Philippines, and Thailand.

How to use maprang?

  • Good addition to the diet:

Edible parts of the plants are the mature fruit, immature fruit, seed, and young leaves. When this fruit is unripe, it can be used as a pickle, eaten cooked,, or used as an ingredient for making a special spicy condiment, ‘sambal.’

When it is ripe, it is ready to eat, so it can be consumed as a fresh fruit, just like mango or plum.

In addition, this fruit’s young leaves can be chopped and used for making salads. Maprang mangoes can be stored in a loose bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

  • Ornamental tree

The tree is also appreciated in gardens and can be used as an ornamental fruit for its lush green shade and shapely form.

  • Construction

The timber of the maprang tree is also used for construction in some parts of Asia. In Indonesia, its wood is used to make scabbards for the traditional dagger known as the kris.

Health benefits of maprang:

In addition to its vibrant taste, it also offers health benefits like the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in it, making it a good addition to a healthy diet.

Also, the fruit is used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases and for maintaining good health.

The nutritional value of maprang is given in the following table:

Water 86.6 g Phosphorous 4 mg
Protein 40 mg Iron 0.3 mg
Fat 20 mg Carotene 23 mg
Carbohydrates 11.3 g Thiamine 0.11 mg
Dietary fiber 150 mg Riboflavin 0.05 mg
Ash 20 mg Niacin 0.5 mg
Calcium 9 mg Vitamin C 100 mg

This fruit is a great source of Vitamin C and beta-carotene that helps to nourish the skin. Additionally, the water content helps to moisturize the skin, which is essential for skin health.

It possesses a great amount of protein and Vitamin C, which promotes the regeneration of body cells and speeds up the time of healing process.

Maprang can help prevent gastrointestinal cancer since it contains a high amount of water and fiber, which assists in nutrient absorption.

According to a study, consuming 26 gm of fiber in a day reduces the chances of cancer, and this fiber is contained in maprang.

The intake of this fruit can also help improve vision as it contains an ingredient named beta carotene, which transforms into vitamin A and is absorbed by the body to maintain eye health.

How to grow maprang?

Propagation of maprang is usually done by seed, but can also be done by cutting, marcotting, and grafting.

To produce good quality, sweet and non-resinous fruit, it is better to select the vegetative part of the tree for starting a new plant.

It is preferable to select tropical lowlands up to an altitude of 850 meters and free-draining clay and sand soil of a moderately acidic to neutral nature. The tree grows best on sites with full to partial sun exposure.

This plant can tolerate occasional light frosts, and best grows in monsoon climates and light and fertile soil.

The tree begins fruiting approximately 2-3 years from grafted plants, and it takes 8-10 years from seedlings. It usually ripens from March to May. A single tree can yield at least 200kg of fruits.

CAUTIONS!

Although there are many health benefits of Maprang but everything has certain conditions or limitations. So aside from its health benefits, one should pay attention to the following cautions before consuming it:

  • For the people who eat maprang for the first time, an allergic reaction may happen. This can be seen through its common symptoms, which are nausea and swollen lips.
  • Patients with diabetes should consume maprang in small amounts, as it has a high sugar content, which is not good for diabetic patients.

More exotic fruits:

Conclusion:

In short, maprang is a very delicious and useful fruit, but the unique thing about it is that only some people are familiar with it.

Even the citizens of the country where the fruit comes from may not really know about it. It is because even in the native country, this fruit is quite rare.

It is rich in many vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. Also, it can be easily incorporated into various dishes and may offer impressive health benefits, including healthier skin, improved digestion, and heart health.

Hence, to ensure everyone enjoys the benefits and usefulness of this fruit, people are selling it online so everyone can access it. All in all, it’s a fruit well worth adding to your diet.

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  3. Best Fruits For Healthy Bones
  4. Best Fruits For Fighting Arthritis

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