Jerusalem artichoke or ground pear is a perennial tuber plant that belongs to the genus Sunflower. This vegetable culture can be easily grown on a private plot. Jerusalem artichoke is unpretentious, resistant to pests, sudden changes in temperature of the environment. The tubers of the earthen pear have a delicate sweet taste, are characterized by high nutritional value and unique chemical composition.
- History of discovery
- Grades
- Composition
- Calorie
- Nutritional value
- Helpful Links
- Methods of preparing
- Useful properties and applications
- Medicinal properties
- Using the Jerusalem artichoke in
- cosmetology How to choose and store
- Contraindications and harm
- Interesting Facts
History of discovery
The first to begin cultivating an earthen pear in North America is the tribe of Indians - tupinamba. From this tribe, the modern name of the vegetable - "Jerusalem artichoke" - took place.
In the 17th century travelers brought the fruits of an earth pear to the countries of Europe. The taste of root vegetables was appreciated by the people of England, Belgium, Holland and France. On the basis of Jerusalem artichoke the hostess prepared nutritious and aromatic dishes.
In Russia, we learned about Jerusalem artichoke only in the 18th century. From this product, healers prepared effective tinctures, which were used to treat diseases of the cardiovascular system. The ground pear was also used for cooking delicious dishes, which were available only to wealthy people.
Varieties
Today, there are more than 300 varieties of Jerusalem artichoke. On the territory of Russia, two main varieties are grown on an industrial scale:
- Interest. This variety is distinguished by high yield. The tubers of Jerusalem artichoke are harvested in November. They have large sizes and excellent taste.
- Shortwave. This sort of earthen pear gives a harvest of tubers in September. Roots have a tender taste.
Composition
The chemical composition of tubers of Jerusalem artichoke resembles potatoes, and its nutritional value is several times higher than that of sugar beet. Jerusalem artichoke is rich in vitamins, organic acids, minerals and other useful compounds.
to the table of contents ^Caloric value
This product is low-calorie. In 100 grams of ground pear - 61 calories.
to contents ^Nutritional value
The earthen pear contains 16 amino acids, 8 of which are not synthesized in the human body. Jerusalem artichoke is 77% of the valuable carbohydrate inulin, which is converted into fructose, and also has hepatoprotective effect. Therefore, dietitians recommend to include root vegetables in the diet for people who suffer from diabetes and hepatitis B, C.
Earth pear is rich in fiber and pectins. These substances improve the intestinal motility and normalize the metabolism.
| Substance | Weight( g) |
| Proteins | 2,1 |
| Fats | 0,1 |
| Carbohydrates | 12,8 |
| Dietary Fibers | 4,5 |
| Organic acids | 0.1 |
| Water | 79 |
| Mono and disaccharides | 3,2 |
| Starch | 9,6 |
| Ash | 1,4 |
Useful connections
Tubers of earthen pears are an excellent source of vitamins of group B, vitamin A and C.
| Substance | Weight( mg / μg) |
| Beta-carotene | 0.012 |
| A | 2 |
| B1( thiamine) | 0.07 |
| B2( riboflavin) | 0.06 |
| B6( pyridoxine) | 0.2 |
| B9( folic acid) | 18, 5 |
| C | 6 |
| E | 0.2 |
| PP | 1,6 |
This product is rich in valuable micro- and macro-elements.
| Substance Weight( mg / g) | |
| 20 | |
| Calcium Magnesium | 12 |
| 3 | |
| Sodium Phosphorus Potassium | 200 |
| 78 | |
| Chloro | 47 |
| Iron Sulfur | 15 |
| 0,4 | |
| Zinc | 0,29 |
| Iodine | 2 |
| 135 | |
| Copper Manganese | 0,24 |
| Fluoro | 14 |
| Molybdenum | 10 |
| Boron | 100 |
| Cobalt | 1 |
| Aluminum | 815 |
Methods of preparation
Dietitians advise to use tubers of earthen pear in raw form, as heat treatment destroys the useful compounds that make up their composition. Jerusalem artichoke still possible:
- cook;
- fry;
- bake;
- to extinguish;
- ferment;
- to dry.
The process of making Jerusalem artichoke is similar to the process of preparing potatoes. Ground pear perfectly combines with vegetables and meat products. Based on this root, you can prepare a lot of interesting and healthy dishes.
to contents ^Useful properties and application of
The use of Jerusalem artichoke is its unique chemical composition. The earth pear has the following useful properties:
- choleretic;
- adsorbing;
- hemostatic;
- is anti-inflammatory;
- diuretics;
- astringent;
- antiviral;
- is sedative;
- regenerating.
If for several months systematically included in the diet of 100 grams of fresh Jerusalem artichoke, you can:
- strengthen the walls of the vessels;
- cleanse the body of toxins;
- normalize blood pressure and blood sugar;
- get rid of dysbiosis and chronic constipation;
- increase hemoglobin;
- to lower cholesterol;
- improve fat metabolism;
- to restore sexual activity;
- boost the immune response of the body;
- to relieve symptoms of intoxication;
- to improve blood composition;
- to remove inflammatory processes in the digestive system;
- intensify the work of the liver.
Therapeutic properties of
Earth pear is used in folk medicine for treatment:
- anemia;
- obesity;
- of diabetes mellitus;
- of diseases of the digestive tract;
- atherosclerosis;
- cataract;
- glaucoma;
- impotence;
- alcohol intoxication;
- diseases of the excretory system;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
- malignancy.
It is recommended that the earth pear be systematically included in the diet of people who live in industrial cities. This product effectively removes salts of heavy metals from the body.
Using earthen pear in cosmetology
Jerusalem artichoke extract is used to prepare face masks that:
- smooth out fine wrinkles;
- will remove dark circles near the eyes;
- will clear the skin;
- narrowed the expanded pores;
- will eliminate foci of skin inflammation.
To prepare a life-giving mask, grind one root and add 10 ml of olive oil or honey to the mixture. Apply the mask to the skin and remove after 25 minutes with warm water.
Juice made from fresh earth pear will rid the skin of:
- eczematous lesions;
- acne;
- flabbiness;
- dryness.
Cosmetologists advise to wipe the face with Jerusalem artichoke juice twice a week. The duration of the course is 10 procedures.
to the table of contents ^How to choose and store
The quality of Jerusalem artichoke is solid, characterized by a rough and uneven surface. Do not buy a root crop if its skin is wrinkled, and there are stains or mold marks on it.
The earth pear is stored no more than 1 month in paper food packages in the refrigerator. If the root crop is in a cleaned state, then it is recommended to store such a product for no more than two days.
to the table of contents ^Contraindications and harm
The use and harm of Jerusalem artichoke for human health is still being studied by dieticians and scientists. This product is prohibited for people who are prone to:
- allergic reactions;
- flatulence.
Interesting facts
In Japan from Jerusalem artichoke prepare aromatic, dietary coffee. For this, the earthenware tubers are dried, roasted and ground in a coffee grinder. Then ground Jerusalem artichoke is brewed like ordinary coffee.
I take baths with Jerusalem artichoke stems, terrible pains in the joints have passed and I feel better, my arthrosis has receded, I want to live!
I recommend to all who have joint pains that make life unbearable.
Stay healthy!
From myself, I can add that Jerusalem artichoke is best collected in the spring, it winters well in the ground and by spring it becomes juicy and sweet. And in autumn it is whiter than fresh and tasteless. He grows like a weed, beautifully blooms with yellow flowers like a big daisy. I have his full yard.