In the crisp autumn air, the most indispensable fruit is the sweet and delicious fresh jujube. Fresh jujubes contain a variety of nutrients and are one of the essential fruits for autumn. However, a problem arises: what if you buy too many fresh jujubes and can't finish them all at once? How should we store them? Let's learn about the benefits and storage methods for fresh jujubes below.
Benefits of Eating Fresh Jujubes in Autumn
Fresh jujubes are not only sweet, crisp, and juicy, but also nutritionally rich, especially in vitamin C, earning them the reputation of a "vitamin pill." According to measurements, every 100 grams of fresh jujubes contains 243 mg of vitamin C, 18-23 grams of carbohydrates, 0.86 grams of crude protein, and abundant vitamins A1, B1, B2, K, etc. The carotene, an essential nutrient for the human body, found in fresh jujubes is far higher than in other jujube products. The content of fructose and glucose reaches 11%-16%, and soluble solids reach 14%-20%. They also contain trace elements such as phosphorus, calcium, iron, and potassium. Fresh jujubes have a delicious taste and rich nutrition, helping to purify the blood, promote digestion, and beautify the skin; furthermore, fresh jujubes are neither cold nor hot in nature, possessing effects such as cooling, detoxifying, and calming; they are crisp, tender, juicy, sweet, with a great texture and a unique flavor. It should be noted that fresh jujubes are not easy to store. They will lose their crisp texture in just a few days at room temperature, so it's best to eat them as soon as possible after purchase to prevent the loss of nutrients and avoid spoilage from improper storage.
Storage Methods for Fresh Jujubes
After purchasing fresh jujubes, carefully sort through them. Remove any damaged jujubes with bruises, black spots, or insect infestation to prevent moldy jujubes from infecting others during storage.
Home storage method for fresh jujubes: From the purchased jujubes, select the fresh, undamaged ones whose skins are not entirely red. Seal them in a plastic bag, leaving a small amount of air before sealing, and then place them in the refrigerator to冷藏 at a temperature of 0℃-4℃. When packing in plastic bags, it's best to use small, separate bags. Opening one small bag at a time will help preserve the jujubes for a longer period.
If you don't use a refrigerator, you can also place the fresh jujubes in a保鲜袋 (fresh-keeping bag) or保鲜盒 (fresh-keeping container) and store them in a cool, ventilated place to maintain their freshness.
If you have a large quantity of fresh jujubes, they need to be pre-cooled at a temperature of 5-8℃ for 1-2 days before refrigeration. After pre-cooling, the jujubes can be stored in a cold warehouse at a temperature of 0℃-1℃ and a relative humidity of 90%-95%.
These 4 types of people should not eat fresh jujubes
People with abdominal bloating: Eating too many fresh jujubes can cause bloating. Those with abdominal distension and qi stagnation, as well as pregnant women experiencing bloating, should avoid them.
Women during menstruation: Fresh jujubes are warm in nature, so people with a "hot" constitution should not eat too many. Women with a "heaty" constitution are not suitable for eating fresh jujubes during their menstrual period, as this can easily lead to excessive menstrual flow and harm to health.
Patients with stomach diseases: The skin of fresh jujubes is very hard and difficult to digest. It is crucial to chew them thoroughly, otherwise, it will burden the gastrointestinal tract and affect the absorption of nutrients. Patients with acute or chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers must peel the jujubes before eating them raw, as the skin can easily damage the gastric mucosa. Fresh jujubes are sweet and can stimulate gastric acid secretion, so those with excessive gastric acid or frequent acid reflux should not eat them.
Diabetics: Fresh jujubes contain a lot of sugar, with a sugar content exceeding 20%. If diabetics eat them without restraint, it can damage pancreatic function, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar and urine sugar, worsening the condition. Children: The organs of children are relatively weak. Eating too many fresh jujubes can easily damage the "spleen." Due to the high sugar content in fresh jujubes, eating too many at once can easily lead to cavities and toothache.
Although autumn is the best season to eat fresh jujubes, it is first important to know how to store them, and also to distinguish which groups of people should not eat them to avoid physical discomfort.