Not Only Refreshing, Kolang-kaling is Also Healthy
"In kolak or es buah, we often find this oval and clear white with a chewy taste. Yes, palm fruit or kolang-kaling is indeed a complement that makes certain types of dishes taste more delicious. In fact, kolang-kaling is also processed as sweets and serve as snacks."Published by : administrator - 25/10/2024 09:42 WIB
3 Minutes read.
Kolang-kaling comes from the seeds of the aren (Arenga pinnata). In Indonesia, the tree has several names, including ‘hana’, ‘pululuk, ‘biluluk’, ‘kabung’, ‘juk’, and ‘ijuk’ (Sumatra and Kalimantan); ‘kawung’ and ‘taren’ (Sundanese); ‘ako’, ‘akel’, ‘akere’, ‘inru’, ‘indu’ (Sulawesi); ‘moka’, ‘moke’, ‘tuwa’, and ‘tuwak’ (Nusa Tenggara), and others. Meanwhile, the Dutch are called aren or zuikerpalm, German people are called zuckerpalme, and in England called sugar palm or gomuti palm.
Image source: Youtube.com
Kolang-kaling has a sap with toxins that can make the body’s skin blister. This fruit is arranged in a chain, spherical in shape, flat with a diameter of about 4 cm. Each bunch has 10 stalks or more and each stalk has more than 50 grains of green to brown fruit.
To remove the sap and serve kolang kaling safely, it takes a long process. The bunch containing the fruits is burned until charred, then the seeds are boiled for hours. Afterward, they are soaked in a lime water solution for several days until they ferment.
Image source: penapersada.blogspot.com
The long processes are proportional to the content and efficacy of the kolang-kaling. Quoted by Sehatq.com, the results of a study found that the levels of vitamin C, calcium, and iron contained in kolang-kaling will increase as the fruits develops. The nutrients in kolang kaling include vitamins B7, B9, K, fiber, starch, protein, and carbohydrates.
Image source s1.bukalapak.com
Thanks to those properties, kolang-kaling can offer benefits for the body, such as the following.
- Prevents Dehydration
Kolang-kaling contains high water content so that it keeps the body hydrated. Therefore, kolang-kaling is a suitable menu choice to quench thirst, especially during fasting.
- Smooth Digestion
The seeds of this palm fruit contain fiber as much as 14.03%, which is able to get rid of digestive disorders. That way, kolang-kaling can potentially reduce the risk of colon cancer and help lower cholesterol.
- Helps Diet
Starch in kolang-kaling is as much as 74.58%, so it is suitable as an alternative food for diet. It also contains vitamins, minerals and gelatin which can help speed up feelings of fullness.
- Boost the immune system
The higher the maturity level of the fruit, the higher the vitamins contained. Every 100 grams of kolang-kaling contains 162 mg of vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant and helps improve body’s immune system.
- Helps Kidney Health
This fresh-tasting food also contains very low levels of protein and fat. In 100 grams of kolang-kaling contains 0.14 grams of phosphorus, 0.4 grams of iron, and 3.9 grams of vitamin B1 which are considered to help healthy kidney function.
Well, to get the benefits, of course, you have to choose and process kolang kaling correctly. The following are tips for selecting and processing kolang kaling.
- Choose fresh kolang-kaling.
- Choose one with natural white flesh, not slimy, neutral taste, and not sour aroma.
- Choose young fruits, characterized by a flat, wide, and thin fruit shape.
- To reduce the sour taste, wash it several times and then soak it in rice water for 30 minutes. After that rinse again with clean water.
So, are you ready for a glass of iced kolang-kaling? Just go to Jamupedia’s Youtube, and find some of the recipes.
References
Wikipedia
