FoodNet

Foods, their selection and preparation

1935

Page 42

Presented as published in 1935. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
In vitamin content, there is considerable variation among the different kinds of fruit and even among varieties of the same kind. All fresh fruits contain some vitamin C. Berries and citrus fruits are outstanding sources of this vitamin. The yellow-fleshed fruits are rich sources of vitamin A. Fruits are only fair sources of the B vitamins. When used raw no vitamins are lost. [45] I able XI • Comparative Nutritive \ alue of Different ¥ ruils1 PER 100 GRAMS OF RAW FOOD, EDIBLE PORTION Approximate Measure Equivalent to 100 Grams of Food Vita- Vita- B Vitamins Cal¬ cium Cal¬ ories » l min-A Value min C Thia¬ mine Ribo¬ flavin Iron Apples . 1 small * 65 Apricots . 3 ***2 <r 55 Avocados . 4" diameter * 265 Bananas . 1 medium * 100 Blackberries (or dewberries) . . £ cup ** 60 Blueberries (or huckleberries) £ cup * 70 Cantaloupes (or muskmelons) . . 5 melon, 5" diameter, or ^ cup balls, ** ** 25 §" diameter Cherries . . . . . £ cup * 70 Cranberries . 1 cup * 55 Currants (fresh) . £ CUP ** 60 Dates . 12-15 * 315 Figs (fresh) . 2-3 large 90 Gooseberries . f cup ** 45 Grapefruit . % medium *** 45 Grapes . 1 bunch of 20-25 grapes 75 Guavas . \ cup or 1 large *** * 80 Lemons . \ cup juice *** 45 Limes . j cup juice ** 55 Mangoes . j cup or 1 medium ** ** 75 Oranges . . 1 medium *** 50 Papayas . 1 wedge 3" *♦ *** 45 Peaches . . 1 medium * * 50 Pears . 1 medium 70 Persimmons (Japanese) .... 1 medium ** *** 85 Pineapple . 1 slice £" thick or £ cup ** 60 Plums . 2-3 medium * 55 Raspberries . £ cup ** 75 Rhubarb . 1 cup diced * 20 Strawberries . £ cup *** 40 Tangerines . 2 small ** 50 Watermelons . 1 slice, 2\" X 2\" X 1", or \ cup * 30 balls or cubes CHANGES DURING RIPENING During natural ripening, fruit increases in size, the tissues soften, the color changes, the carbohydrates change in kind and amount, the flavor changes from acid, bitter, or astringent to mild, sweet, or bland, and Compiled by Bureau of Human Nutrition and Home Economics, United States Department of Agriculture. 2***Excellent, **Good, *Fair. Less than fair (or no data available), no entry. the typical aroma develops. When ripening continues too long, fruit loses both food value and flavor. The composition of any fruit will vary with the stage of maturity at which it is picked. Since ripening changes are brought about by enzymes in the fruit, they continue after the fruit is gathered. These changes improve the texture, taste, and appearance of the fruit; but ripening after picking does not influence markedly its proximate composi¬ tion. Overripe fruit may show a loss in [46] total carbohydrate. Most fruits are highest in quality if allowed to ripen before picking. Bananas and pears are exceptions to this rule. At times there are advantages in picking fruit in an underripe condition. Underripe fruit stands handling better than fully ripened fruit. Also the season may be extended by stimulating or retarding the ripening of picked fruits. Fruit picked underripe and ripened artificially is available earlier. Late fruit may be held under conditions which will retard ripening so as to be available when supplies are scarce.