Prickly pear
Sicily is one of the biggest world producers of Prickly Pear or Cactus-pear (Opuntia ficus indica), with about 4.000 hectares of cultivated fruits that is equivalent to the 90% of the total European cultivation.
Another healthy Sicilian fruit
Nutrients
The Sicilian Prickly Pear has three varieties: the Yellow (Surfarina), the Red (Sanguigna) and the White-Greenish (Muscaredda); All the varieties are processed together without selection and the result is a nice red color. The processing crop goes from August to middle October. The Prickly Pear, in addition to being a sustainable plant (requires few waters and it adapts to dried and arid environments), has several benefits. Prickly pears are a good source of dietary fiber because they contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which are important for healthy digestion. The magnesium, potassium, and calcium in prickly pears are key nutrients for healthy blood pressure, while vitamin C plays an important role in immune system health. Prickly pears also contain many beneficial plant compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and pigments, which act as antioxidants.
Quality
The available qualities are the following:
Clarified Prickly Pear Juice Concentrate 45° and 54° brix
Prickly Pear Puree Concentrate 38° brix
Prickly Pear Juice NFC Single Strength
The prickly pear is an extraordinary plant not only in the fruits but also in the cladodes which also contain many properties.
As an example, the gel contained inside the cladodes can be used as:
- Gastric protector
- Natural antioxidant
- After sun
- Soothing and filler for the skin
- Antibacterial
- Hair conditioner
The dried Prickly Pear Cladodes is:
- Food supplement
- Gastric protector
- Hunger suppressant
- Fat absorber
- Natural antioxidant
We can offer the following products from the cladodes:
Prickly Pear Cladodes Gel;
Dried and micronized (300/500 mesh) Prickly
Pear cladodes.
Please contact us and will give you more details about all Prickly Pear products (from plant to fruit!)