Ackee – Bahamas national fruit
The official national fruit of Bahamas is Ackee which is found in different parts of Bahamas. Ackee is popular fruit in Bahamas which is used to make various dishes like ackee and saltfish, ackee and dumplings, ackee and codfish, ackee and grits etc.
Scientific Classification
Scientific name: Blighia sapida
Family: Sapindaceae
Order: Sapindales
Kingdom: Plantae
Uses of Pineapple
Ackee is a fruit that is used in many different ways in the Bahamas. It is a staple of Bahamian cuisine, and it has been used as a food source for centuries.
Ackee is mostly eaten raw, but it can be boiled down into a thick sauce. This sauce can be used as an accompaniment to fish dishes or used on its own as a breakfast or side dish.
The health benefits of ackee are well-documented, and it’s often used as a preventive measure for heart disease. Ackee contains high levels of potassium and vitamin C, which can help lower blood pressure and prevent strokes. It also contains antioxidants that help fight against free radicals, which can cause cancer and other diseases.
Importance of Ackee in Bahamas
The important fruit of Bahamas is Ackee which is a tropical fruit that grows in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. It is also known as “Blighia sapida.”
Ackee is a small, egg-shaped fruit with an orange to red skin and a creamy white flesh. It has a single seed that can be very toxic if not cooked properly.
The ackee plant grows on trees up to 20 meters tall. The tree produces both male and female flowers that produce fruit at the same time.
Why is Ackee the national fruit of Bahamas?
Ackee has been chosen as the national fruit of Bahamas because of the following reasons:
- It is an indigenous fruit to that country.
- It was introduced by slaves from Ghana and Nigeria, who were brought there to work on plantations.
- The Ackee tree is found in almost every home in Bahamas and is considered as the most important part of their diet. It is used as a vegetable and fruit and also as a medicine for many ailments like coughs, colds etc.