Prickly Pears (Opuntia ficus-indica) aka: Nopal, Nopales, Barberry Figs, and Indian Figs, are cylindrical shaped fruits with a thorny outer skin, firm to mushy inner flesh, and many small seeds at their center. Prickly Pears come in a variety of colors and can be red, green, yellow, or purple.
Health Benefits of Prickly Pears:
- Increased Immune Function
- Reduced Risk of Colon Cancer
- Protection Against Heart Disease
- Alleviation of Cardiovascular Disease
- Alleviation of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Osteoporosis Protection
- Stroke Prevention
- Reduced Risk of Type II Diabetes
- Reduced Frequency of Migraine Headaches
- Alleviation of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Depending on type some prickly pears are thought to reduce diabetes and other kinds are thought to reduce hangover.
How to choose Prickly Pears: Look for vibrantly colored prickly pears that yield lightly to pressure, avoid any pears that are too mushy, or wrinkled.
Climate and origin: Prickly Pears originated in the Americas and can now be found in almost every hot dry climate across the world.
Taste: Prickly pears have a subtle sweet taste that is lightly fragrant. They have a firm to mushy texture, and there are many seeds in the middle to contend with. It is important not to eat any of the skin of a prickly pear due to thorns and glochids which can cause a lot of discomfort.
Miscellaneous information: Prickly pears can be found distilled into the form of alcoholic beverages, most notably Bajtra Liqueur and Tungi Spirit.
