Cabbage is a member of the (Annonaceae) family. And it is also known as Sharifa and Nona. And inside this fruit are small cells. Inside each of these cells is a seed. The soft and juicy part of the seed is eaten. The seeds of ripe fruits are black and the seeds of raw fruits are white. However, its seeds are poisonous. This is because it is a cluster of fruits, that is, a cluster of fruits produced from the uterus of a single flower.
There are several species and varieties of this fruit. All of them are called ‘Custard Apple’, ‘Sugar Apple’, ‘Sugar Pine Apple’ or ‘Sweetshop’ in English. All these are called ‘Ata’, ‘Sharifa’ and ‘Nona’ in Bengali. However, there are some differences in the name of the region.
Species of Ata
In the present world, there are seven ‘species’ belonging to the genus Annona and one ‘hybrid variety’ is cultivated around the world or on a commercial basis. And all these are delicious fruits. The most popular species are-
Annona squamosa
This species is most common in Bangladesh. Again, this is the best taste. And this succulent fruit is known in most places as Ata. But somewhere it is called Mewa and somewhere it is called Sharifa. Besides, it is also called Sharifa in Hindi. And in Sanskrit its name is Sitaphalam. It has small eyes on its skin.
Annona reticulata
Its skin is smooth, reddish in color, slightly salty in taste. For this reason it is better known as Nonaphal. But somewhere it is called Ata. It is also called Ramphalama in Sanskrit.
Annona senegalensis
In English, this variety is called ‘African Custard Apple’. Its skin is smooth, yellowish color. For this reason it is also known as Nonaphal. Also called African salt.
Annona muricata
In English it is called ‘Savar-Shop’. Its skin is almost smooth, green in color. Hence it is also known as ‘Shul-Ram fruit’ or ‘Lakshman fruit’. It also grows in Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Africa.
Annona cherimola
This species is rarely born in Bangladesh. And its skin is much smoother. That is why in Hindi it is called Hanuman fruit. There are also two variants in Southeast Asia called ‘Thai Lazard’ and ‘Kampong Move’.
Ata tree
India is the Atar tribe. However, in Bangladesh and India, it grows in the backyard. It is also cultivated commercially in Thailand, Australia and the United States. Because quince tree is a national plant. The size of this tree is not very large. Ata trees are usually 3 to 5 meters in height.
The leaves of this tree fall off in winter and new leaves sprout in spring. Its leaves are shaped like a spear. And its flowers look like jackfruit stalks whose color ranges from light green to greenish yellow. However, this fruit cannot be eaten raw.
Ata tree grows well in sandy loam soils. Because its seedlings are made from seeds. And flowers from April to June. Besides, its fruits ripen in 4/5 months. It contains a lot of non-vegetarian and sugary foods. However, due to the ripening of ripe fruits, insects are often infected.
Benefits of Atafal
Vitamin C in quince fruit is a powerful anti-oxidant. It boosts the body’s immune system. Vitamin C also helps prevent free radicals that can cause serious diseases such as cancer.
Vitamin-B complex is much higher in quince fruit. And vitamin B-6 plays an important role in neurotransmitters. We know that stressful living creates a lot of frustration or inferiority complex. Vitamin B-6 helps a lot in preventing these frustrations. This is why Ata is most effective for mental well-being.
Conclusion
Ataphal is a kind of seasonal fruit. This fruit grows in our country. Quince fruit contains many nutrients. This fruit is also very tasty. This is why we eat this fruit.
