opuntia in bloom
I love blooming cactuses! This one I found on Crete island, when I was there in May 2008.
Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae.
The most commonly culinary species is the Indian Fig Opuntia (Opuntia ficus-indica). Most culinary uses of the term 'prickly pear' refer to this species.
Prickly pear cacti typically grow with flat, rounded platyclades that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike spines called glochids that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pears grow into dense, tangled structures.
The fruit of prickly pears, commonly called cactus figs, Indian fig or tuna, is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. If the outer layer is not properly removed, glochids can be ingested causing discomfort of the throat, lips, and tongue as the small spines are easily lodged in the skin. Native Americans like the Tequesta would roll the fruit around in suitable medium (e.g. grit) to "sand" off the glochids. Today, parthenocarpic (seedless) cultivars are also available.
Cactus figs are often used to make candies and jelly and a refreshing drink.
opuntia in bloom
I love blooming cactuses! This one I found on Crete island, when I was there in May 2008.
Opuntia is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae.
The most commonly culinary species is the Indian Fig Opuntia (Opuntia ficus-indica). Most culinary uses of the term 'prickly pear' refer to this species.
Prickly pear cacti typically grow with flat, rounded platyclades that are armed with two kinds of spines; large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike spines called glochids that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pears grow into dense, tangled structures.
The fruit of prickly pears, commonly called cactus figs, Indian fig or tuna, is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. If the outer layer is not properly removed, glochids can be ingested causing discomfort of the throat, lips, and tongue as the small spines are easily lodged in the skin. Native Americans like the Tequesta would roll the fruit around in suitable medium (e.g. grit) to "sand" off the glochids. Today, parthenocarpic (seedless) cultivars are also available.
Cactus figs are often used to make candies and jelly and a refreshing drink.