Akebia quinata is certainly not considered a useful plant in this country; it is often even feared that it is poisonous. However, this fear is unnecessary, because the decorative fruits of the Akebia, also known as climbing cucumber, are definitely edible.
Can you eat Akebia fruit?
Akebia fruit, also known as climbing cucumber, is an edible, cucumber-like, finger-shaped and purple or purple-colored fruit with a sweet taste. Akebia quinata bears both male and female flowers, with only female flowers bearing fruit.
What do the fruits of Akebia quinata look like?
As the name climbing cucumber suggests, the fruits of Akebia look quite similar to a cucumber. They are finger-shaped and about 15 centimeters long. However, their color is quite unusual for cucumbers, as is their sweet taste. The coloring is described as blue frosted or purple and is more similar to that of an eggplant.
The most important things in brief:
- Edible fruits
- sweet taste
- Size: approx. 15 cm
- Shape: finger-shaped, cucumber-like
- Color: violet or purple, blue frosted
Under what conditions do the fruits ripen?
Since Akebia quinata is a tropical plant, it needs warmth and sun to produce flowers and later fruit. In addition, it only begins to bloom when it is around five years old. Fruit is not yet to be expected from a young acebia. You can harvest older acebias in September or October.
Do all akebia flowers develop fruit?
An Akebia quinata bears both male and female flowers, but only the female flowers produce fruit. These flowers are brownish purple and smell like vanilla or chocolate. They are slightly larger than the male flowers, which you can easily recognize by their pink color. For successful fertilization it makes sense to plant at least two acebias.
Which parts of Akebia quinata can be used for culinary purposes?
In addition to the sweet, slightly chocolate-tasting fruits, you can also use the sprouts and leaves in the kitchen. By the way, the peel of the fruit tastes a little bitter. They are still fried and eaten in their Asian homeland.
Tea can be made from the (dried) leaves of Akebia quinata. The young sprouts can also be eaten raw and prepared in a salad, for example. Akebia is said to have a pain-relieving and diuretic effect. It is said to protect the stomach and prevent urinary tract infections.
Tip
Even without wanting to derive any medicinal benefit, the fruit is a culinary experience.
