Stinking Toe
Stinking Toe
Ok, so not the best title for something to be consumed. But don’t run or knock it until you’ve tried it! Many people grew up, especially, those from the Caribbean by eating this fruit.
They can tell you that it’s just amazing, and is quite frankly underrated. Well, let’s get an insight on this fruit like a ‘Stinking Toe Facts 101’ type of vibe. So, because the title is a bit a throw-off for some of you, let’s see what this fruit does to our body.
Stinking Toe Health Nutrition/Components
Components
Stinking Toe Fruit is rich in:
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
Please note that the aforementioned nutrients or components are not limited to what is listed.
Health Benefits of Stinking Toe Fruit
Ok so, who’s ready to explore what’s the hype about the stinking toe? Buckle up because it’s blast-off time! Stinking toe is great for consumption because it’s: Read More.
A good antioxidant
Antioxidants are renowned as the free radicals power off button. They put a stop to those reactive cells that may lead to cancer and other diseases. Stinking toe is high in Vitamin A and C as well as others which are great antioxidants. Other functions of antioxidants include helping to manage/monitor oxidative stress and inflammation.
These two can be connected with osteoarthritis, cancer, and even heart disease. Let’s not forget that antioxidants present in the stinking toe (especially, Vitamin A and C) slow down aging.
May prevent anemia
Stinking toe is highly rich in iron. Due to this reason, iron is absorbed by the body and helps majorly to produce the protein found in red blood cells-hemoglobin- that carries oxygen to tissues in the body. Due to more oxygen present, this prevents anemia from occurring.
Reduce Eye Diseases
Stinking toe has a great source of Vitamin A. Therefore, it helps to reduce the risk of eye diseases and replenishes the cells within the eyes for proper functionality.
Appetite and Energy Booster
Stinking toe is regularly given to individuals who seem to have a lack of appetite. The fruit is also consumed for the amount of energy it provides to your body. Hence, many athletes and physically active persons tend to use it a lot in their smoothies. This is due to the vitamins, carbohydrates, and other minerals present.
Antifungal Properties
Stinking Toe has strong antifungal properties that make it ideal for dealing with topical and internal fungal infections. These include; athlete’s foot, nail fungus, urinary tract infections, and as a douche for yeast infection too. However, as a recommendation douching should not be practiced.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Stinking Toe has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of inflammation in the respiratory tract-this includes asthma and bronchitis.
In several studies, it has been identified as an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. Prostaglandins are by-products of this enzyme which are inflammatory agents- e.g. leukotriene B4 is responsible for inflammation in air passages. It reduces inflammation that leads to rheumatism, lupus, and pemphigus as well.
Other health benefits of stinking toe
- May assist in weight loss
- It May help to treat meningitis
- May treat retention of liquids
- Assist in strengthening the immune system
What is a stinking toe?
Stinking toe is on average a medium or large-sized evergreen tree with massive spreading branches.
It can grow to a tall height of 30 meters to 45 meters, where it varies for some of its specimens. The plant is typically grown in a variety of habitats in the tropical and subtropical areas/regions. If you’re interested to grow the plant then you will find that it grows in all textures of soil.
From sand to clay but you’d get the best results from deep, fertile, moist, and well-drained sandy soils. Stinking toe leaves are 4.5-11 cm long and 3-5 broad that are green in color and have inflorescence. Its fertile flowers are followed by indehiscent (doesn’t open when ripe) woody legumes with an oval section, that are slightly kidney-shaped.
The fruit
The fruit changes from green to red-brown or dark brown, showing its maturity transition from young to ‘fit’ meaning mature.
This color is normally the color of the pod/shell that has a leguminous texture and a bit hard and inedible. The fruit is shaped like a toe, but, that odor that you smell, which you may find a bit of a turn-off, is released when the shell of the pod is broken; hence, the name stinking toe.
A recommendation is to avoid smelling the aroma as you will not want to enjoy the richness the pulp has to offer. Think of the odor like when a lioness protecting her cub. The interior of the shell lies dry and creamy to a yellow-colored pulp that clumps together.
The fruits consist of 1-6 slightly spheroidal seeds, having a red-brown color. Where each seed is covered with flesh/pulp. What does stinking toe taste like?
Despite the texture, it has a sweet flavor, where many compare it to powdered sugar. Please note, that the seeds should be discarded! When consumed raw it tends to stick inside the mouth like cotton candy.
A fun fact is that it’s one of the richest vegetable foods known because of its high concentrations of starches and proteins as well as it’s one of the largest trees in the Caribbean. It does wonders for animals as a source of food. Read More.
Aliases
- West Indian locust
- Koubari or Courbaril in Creole
- Carao in Asia
- Hymenaea courbaril
- Jamaican stinking toe
- Jatoba, or Guapinol
Where to buy stinking toe?
In some regions, you may find that it is difficult to ascertain. However, the good thing is that it’s the 21st century! That means you can shop online for things these days. Yes, you may go to online stores in order to get Powdered Stinking Toe or visit your local farmer’s market. It may be available in some supermarkets but packaged as stinking toe powder and not in the whole form.
How to eat it
Break apart the pod, but ensure you avoid the smell! You can even wear a mask until you feel like you won’t smell the odor. Carefully take out the creamy pulp and place it in a bowl or on a dish. Remember to remove the seeds then discard them. Then, here comes the best stage, you eat it! Bon appétit!
Uses
- For topical infections
- Eaten raw
- Used in smoothies
- Used for anti-aging
- Juice
- Pastries
- Furniture (trunk of the stinking toe tree)
Season
You can popularly get stinking toe fruit in its season. This is around the summer.
Not bad huh? Again don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! And with that, stay safe and remember to spread love because there’s power in that. There’s power in eating healthy too! So, continue to spread the word about us, we can’t thank you enough for joining us on this journey.
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Thanks for sharing this information. Had no idea stinking toe had so many health benefits. Are there any conditions that would indicate caution with consumption?
Well rounded information and profound knowledge.keep up the good work and keep sharing.
This is such a rare fruit, thank you for sharing about it.
You are welcome.
I love this website
Thank you.
I’m intrigued by this legume
Yes it is very interesting.
i am interested to grow the plant in africa especiall in east africa
I believe it is quite possible Esperance.
I need to take a trip to Jamaica, seems so fertile.
I agree with you. It is very beautiful and fertile.
Thank you for showing the benefits stinking toe
it’s rich in calcium required for strong bones
stinking toe is rich in antioxidants that help the body neutralize free radicals that cause the sign of aging, this is amazing!