In the Lingnan region, there is an old saying: “Eat lychee when hungry, eat yellow skin when full.” It means that eating lychee when hungry can fill the stomach, and eating yellow skin when full helps digestion.
Li Shizhen, a great medical scientist of the Ming Dynasty, also mentioned in his famous work “Compendium of Materia Medica” that apart from being delicious, yellow skin can aid digestion, relieve phlegm and cough, and even the core can be used to soothe pain.
Although yellow skin has always been popular in the south, in recent years, with the popularity of trendy drinks such as milk tea and coffee, yellow skin has also become popular in the north, becoming a beloved internet-famous fruit.
Whether in ancient times or modern times, yellow skin has always been cherished by people. What magical benefits does this small fruit have?
First, what is the yellow skin that southern people have a special fondness for?
Yellow skin is a unique small fruit tree of the Theaceae family in the south, rare in the north, thus often referred to as “the fruit known only to southerners.”
The skin of yellow skin is smooth and delicate, golden in color, exuding a healthy luster. Peeling off the skin reveals milky-white flesh, crystal clear. Taking a bite, the sweet and sour juice bursts in the mouth instantly, with a delicate and juicy texture, leaving a lasting impression.
Yellow skin is particularly famous in the south due to its special requirements for the growth environment. It thrives in warm and humid climates, with strong adaptability, mainly distributed in the southern regions of China, such as Guangdong, Fujian, and others. Moreover, yellow skin is widely favored in the local diet, used both for direct consumption and in various food preparations. For instance, some tea houses have started using yellow skin as an ingredient to introduce new types of tea beverages.
Southern people have a special fondness for yellow skin. It is not just a refreshing choice in summer but also carries the flavor and memories of hometown. When the yellow skin ripens, its fragrance fills the streets and alleys of the south, becoming a unique scenery of summer. While northern friends may not be familiar with yellow skin, once they taste it, they won’t easily forget it.
Second, why should you eat more yellow skin in summer? There are five “exceptional benefits”
Yellow skin in the Lingnan region is known as the “fruit of righteous qi” because it possesses various extraordinary effects that other fruits cannot match.
Benefit 1: Aids digestion and promotes stomach health
In the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” it is recorded that yellow skin “supports spleen and stomach health, relieves phlegm and cough, and the core can soothe qi and pain.” Yellow skin is rich in organic acids that can increase gastric acidity, promote digestion, and help alleviate stomach pain caused by food stagnation.
Benefit 2: Relieves phlegm and cough
Renowned Chinese medical master Deng Tietao uses the fruit and leaves of the yellow skin tree to treat coughs. The acidic substances and phenolic components in yellow skin help regulate respiratory functions, nourish lung qi, and play a role in relieving phlegm and cough.
Benefit 3: Relieves thirst and soothes dryness
Yellow skin can stimulate saliva secretion, aiding in relieving thirst. It is especially suitable for consumption in summer when appetite is lacking, opening up the palate.
Benefit 4: Enhances health and strength
Chief physician Zeng from the Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangdong Province stated that yellow skin is rich in vitamin C, organic acids, pectin, and other beneficial nutrients for the body. It not only strengthens the body but also enhances resistance, reducing the likelihood of falling ill.
Benefit 5: Anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects
Yellow skin not only promotes vascular health but also combats aging. Studies have shown that yellow skin contains flavonoids that reduce vascular inflammation, making blood vessels more elastic and lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the vitamin C and E in yellow skin protect cells from free radical damage, delaying aging.
Third, while yellow skin is beneficial, there are four types of people who should not consume it
Despite its numerous benefits, yellow skin has certain contraindications. If you fall into any of the following four categories, you should exercise caution.
1. Individuals with high blood sugar and diabetes
Yellow skin has a high sugar content, typically around 18-20%. For diabetic patients with unstable blood sugar control, eating yellow skin can rapidly elevate blood sugar levels, so they should be cautious and not consume excessive amounts.
2. Individuals with poor gastrointestinal health
Director Wu Wei from the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine warned that individuals with gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcers should not overindulge in yellow skin. It contains fruit acids and organic acids that can stimulate the production of more gastric acid, irritating the gastric mucosa.
3. Infants and young children
Infants and young children have delicate gastrointestinal systems, and certain components in yellow skin may cause gastrointestinal irritation, leading to indigestion or diarrhea. Therefore, it is recommended not to feed young children excessive amounts of yellow skin.
4. Pregnant women
Pregnant women should be especially cautious when consuming yellow skin, particularly those with gestational diabetes. As yellow skin has certain medicinal properties, excessive consumption can be detrimental to both the mother and the normal development of the fetus.
Fourth, yellow skin can be consumed in various simple ways, and when paired with four specific items, the effects are even better
Yellow skin is not only nutritionally valuable but also versatile in consumption.
Firstly, the simplest method is to eat it raw. After washing the yellow skin, you can consume it directly to enjoy its natural sweet and sour taste, which can help relieve heat and alleviate indigestion.
Alternatively, soaking yellow skin in water is a straightforward option. Just soak an appropriate amount of yellow skin fruit in boiling water to enjoy its benefits in regulating qi, aiding digestion, and relieving phlegm.
If eating it alone is not satisfying, you can try adding honey. After deseeding the yellow skin, mix it with licorice, tangerine peel, and honey to enjoy a mixture that clears heat and moistens the lungs, stopping coughs and wheezing.
Furthermore, yellow skin can be used as an excellent ingredient for making soup. On hot summer days, a bowl of yellow skin and pork bone soup can help with digestion, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and relieve coughs and phlegm, making it a healthy choice for summer.
Many people also turn yellow skin into preserved fruit, combining sweetness with acidity as a snack during leisure time, both delicious and healthy.
There are myriad ways to enjoy yellow skin, each offering a different taste experience. However, remember that moderation is key. While savoring the flavors, always prioritize your health.
References:
[1] “Talking about Yellow Skin in Summer | Nourishing Hearsays”. First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. July 4, 2024
[2] “This Fruit is a Blind Spot for Northerners, Yet Nutritionally Rich! Perfect Time to Start Eating” Science China. July 3, 2024
[3] “At 4:51 a.m. Today, the Earliest in 228 Years! The ‘Fruit of Righteous Qi’ of Cantonese People is in Full Swing, ‘Both Salty and Sweet'” Guangzhou Daily. June 21, 2024
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