Maprang (Marian Plum)
The Xian Fruit is a fruit that grows in China. The fruit (resembling a mango) is green in color and mat ofure to orange/yellow, with the seed being pink. They grow to roughly 2 to 5 cm (0.7 to 1.9 inches) in diameter. The entire fruit, including its skin, is edible. Many people claim it has an apple taste but is sweeter.
When ripe, the fruit is soft and has fibrous mango-like seeds. It can be eaten raw or it can also be used to make juice drinks, cakes, pies, jelly and jam. This fruit is extremely rich in Vitamin C (1000 times more than Oranges), vitamin A (three times as much as carrots) and calcium (more than milk). It has antioxidants.
It is said it has no subspecies, but there are minor differences in the fruit based on place of origin. For example, within China itself, different provinces produce fruits with subtle variations.
The local name for the fruit varies depending upon where it is grown. In Mandarin Chinese, this fruit is called Xian Guo (仙果), pronounced "Sian Gow", which means "Immortality Fruit" or "Fruit of the Immortals". The fruits' skin is thin, but tough. It will grow to be anywhere between 1 and 3 cm in diameter, with an orange/yellow colour when ripe. The skin is soft, making it easy to peel.
The fruit itself is a dark yellow, with a somewhat apple-like taste. It has many small black seeds. Each seed is approximately 0.5 cm in length and 0.3 cm in diameter, which are considered edible if roasted or boiled(not sure how accurate this info is). They can be eaten raw, but some people find the taste bitter.
The leaves are thick and green, often with a red or pink tinge at the tips of the leaves. They grow in an alternate arrangement. They are 2 to 2.5 cm long and 5 to 9 cm wide.
When ripe, the fruit is soft and has fibrous mango-like seeds. The unripe fruit resembles a green pepper. It can be eaten raw or cooked. It is usually cut in half after peeling the skin off, then eaten with other seasonings. However, the whole fruit is edible.
Xian fruits are rich in Vitamin C and carbohydrates, especially starch. They also contain calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, and riboflavin. The seeds have more protein than most other parts of the plant. When ripe, Xian fruit contains 92% water, 4% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and negligible fat.
Global maprang (marian plum) production
Maprang (marian plum) is a tropical fruit that is popular in Southeast Asia. It is usually eaten fresh, and its juice is often used as a base for cocktails and other beverages. Maprang global production totaled about 1.4 million metric tons in 2019, led by Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Together, these countries account for more than 80% of total maprang production.
In Thailand, maprang trees are grown in the northern and northeastern regions of the country. The majority of Thai maprang production is used for domestic consumption, with only a small portion being exported to other countries in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia is the second largest maprang producer in the world, with production concentrated in the island of Sumatra. The vast majority of Indonesian maprang production is destined for export, with the European Union being the main destination market.
Malaysia is the third largest maprang producer in the world, with trees grown in both peninsular Malaysia and the eastern state of Sabah. The majority of Malaysian maprang production is used for domestic consumption, with a small portion being exported to other countries in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines is the fourth largest maprang producer in the world, with trees grown in the northern and central regions of the country. The vast majority of Philippine maprang production is destined for export, with the United States being the main destination market.
Vietnam is the fifth largest maprang producer in the world, with trees grown in the northern and central regions of the country. The vast majority of Vietnamese maprang production is used for domestic consumption, with a small portion being exported to other countries in Southeast Asia.