Fruits and vegetables form integral parts of our diet. We essentially cannot do without them. Whether they are eaten raw or cooked, they serve up some wonderful nutrients that our bodies need.
Today we will be delving into some fruits and vegetables that begin with the letter Q. From this list, you can make your pick and decide which one goes on your next shopping list.
Fruits
Quandong
Quandong, botanically named Santalum acuminatum, is a hemiparasitic plant that is native to Australia. It belongs to the sandalwood family of Santalaceae. In this region, it is also referred to as “desert quandong” or “native peach.”
The Quandong is a red fruit which can occasionally be yellow and is covered by a waxy skin. The fruit is a drupe with a stony, single seed in its center. The taste of this fruit gives a taste that is reminiscent of apricot or peach.
The Quandong is a fruit that is very rich in nutrients. A 100 g serving of the fruit yields:
- 49 calories
- 8.1 g of carbs
- 4.2 g of fiber
- 20 mg of vitamin C
Uses
- It is added to spice up sweet and savory foods.
- It can be processed into jams.
- The nut contains flammable oils that can be used as fuel.
- Extracts from this fruit are popular for being used as medicine in the Aboriginal culture.
Health benefits
- Rich in Vitamin C: Quandong fruit can boast of having a rich amount of vitamin C. It has about twice the amount of vitamin C found in oranges. Vitamin C is a powerful vitamin that boosts your immune system and helps your body fight infections and diseases. In addition, vitamin C is important for the synthesis of collagen, which is needed to make your skin firm.
- Rich in Antioxidants: The fruit is rich in antioxidants such as rutin, which is quite effective at neutralizing free radicals in your body. The functions of this antioxidant involve anti-aging effects and the strengthening of capillaries.
- Anti-cancer properties: The Quandong is rich in phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. They neutralize those reactive species that are responsible for causing cell mutations in the DNA and can lead to the growth of cancer cells.
Where to buy Quandong?
Quandong and its products can be purchased at locations such as: Bush Tucker Shop, Walmart, Costco, etc.
Quararibea Cordata
The Quararibea cordata is commonly called the South American sapote or chupa-chupa. This fruit is native to the Amazon Rainforest zone of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. It is really rare to find this fruit growing. In 1964, a US scientist successfully planted the seeds of these fruits in Florida. Apart from that, this fruit hasn’t gotten much international recognition.
The fruit has a dark green skin that can be easily peeled off to reveal the fibrous orange juice underneath.
It isn’t just juicy, however; it is kasen with nutrients. A 100 g serving of this fruit yields:
- 124 calories
- 32 g of carbs
- 5 g of fiber
- 38% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C
Uses:
- This fruit can be eaten raw as a snack.
- It can also be juiced.
Health benefits
- Promotes digestive health: The chupa-chupa fruit is very rich in fiber. Fiber is essential in the diet as it promotes proper digestion and easy movement of food through your digestive tract. In addition to this, it adds bulk to the stool. Studies have also shown that high-fiber foods can prevent the formation of hemorrhoids.
- It promotes good skin health: The chupa-chupa fruit is rich in vitamin C. This vitamin is responsible for the synthesis of collagen, a tissue that is crucial to the firmness and elasticity of your skin. Consuming this fruit can keep your skin looking young and fresh.
- Prevents anemia: This fruit is rich in those essential minerals and vitamins that your body needs to produce red blood cells and transport oxygen, such as copper and iron. Iron itself is an integral part of hemoglobin, a pigment that is vital to transporting oxygen around your body.
Where to buy Quararibea cordata?
You can order this fruit from Etsy and Amazon. You can walk into Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe’s and get as much as you need.
Queen Anne Cherry
The Queen Anne’s Cherry is popularly called the Royal Anne Cherry. It also goes by the name of “Napoleon Cherry.” It was originally cultivated in Greece, England, and the Roman Empire.
It closely resembles the Rainier cherry, which is another cultivar that was developed in the lab. The botanical name of this cherry is Prunus avium. It first arrived in the United States in 1964.
The cherry sports a yellow to deep red coloration. The cherry is quite fleshy and sweet, with a single stony seed in its center.
These cherries are quite rich in nutrients. 1 cup serving of the Queen Anne cherries yields:
- 84.2 calories
- 19.4 g of carbs
- 2.7 g of fiber
- 14% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Uses
- These cherries can either be eaten raw or preserved in cans.
- They can be processed into jams.
Health benefits
- Packed with antioxidants: Queen Anne cherries are rich sources of antioxidants, which can get rid of free radicals in your body. Neutralizing these free radicals can make your body age slower.
- Enhance muscle performance: The Royal Anne cherries have been linked to enhancing the performance of muscles. It helps to increase muscle recovery and reduce fatigue during exercise. Athletes such as cyclists and runners have been known to experience reduced muscular pain after consuming these cherries.
- Good for the heart: The Napoleon cherries are an excellent source of potassium, which is very vital for the heart. Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure and heart rhythm. In addition, these cherries contain antioxidants that can help lower the cholesterol level in your blood.
Where to buy Queen Anne cherries
These cherries can be ordered from Amazon. You can also get them at Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger.
Queen Apple
The Queen apple, also called the New Zealand Queen, is a variant of the common apple that comes from a cross between the Gala and Splendor varieties. The apple has a very deep red coloration.
The fruit is quite crispy and juicy, combining the best qualities of the Gala and Splendor variants. This apple is native to New Zealand and is quite popular in the Asian region.
It is the 19th most popular apple variant in the world. This apple is quite rich in nutrients. One medium apple yields:
- 95 calories
- 25 g of carbs
- 4 g of fiber
- 14% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Uses
- The apples can be baked into pies
- The fruit can be blended into smoothies.
Health benefits
Just like any other variant of apple which is nutritious for your body, the Queen apples don’t fail to deliver. Below are some of their health benefits:
- Aids weight loss: The Queen apples are rich in water and fiber, which is a perfect combo to cause satiety while eating them. They give you a feeling of fullness. This is especially useful if you are trying to lose weight. Adding them to your diet means that you don’t have to consume as many calories.
- Good for the heart: These heart-shaped fruits are coincidentally good for your heart. They are rich in phytochemicals that can help lower cholesterol levels. They also contain polyphenols that can help lower blood pressure and maintain the endothelial lining of your blood vessels.
- Can lower the risk of developing diabetes. Queen apples have been linked to lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is rich in quercetin which can reduce your body’s resistance to insulin.
Where to buy Queen apples
The Queen apples can be purchased at KercherSunrise Orchards, Aamodt’s Apple Farm, and Walmart.
Queen Forelle Pear
The Queen Forelle Pear is a small bell-shaped variety of the common pear. It still belongs to the species Pyrus communis. The pear has a light green skin that turns yellow when ripe. It has a crisp texture and combines sweetness with a touch of tanginess.
The Forelle pear is nutrient dense, having a high nutrient to calorie ratio. 1 medium-sized pear yields:
- 50 calories
- 13 g of carbs
- 4 g of fiber
- 7.98 mg of vitamin C
Uses
- The pears can be eaten raw as snacks.
- They can be cut up and eaten with oatmeal and other cereals.
- The pears can be processed into jams.
Health benefits
- Good for the heart: pears are rich in quercetin, just like apples. This antioxidant is also useful for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition to this, studies have shown that consuming white fleshed fruits is linked to a lower stroke risk.
- Can lower risk of diabetes: The peels of pears are rich in anthocyanins, which can lower the risk of diabetes. These plant compounds are linked to preventing the onset of diabetes. In addition, they have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Anti-cancer properties: Pears have anthocyanins and cinnamic acid. Research has shown that these two substances are pivotal in hindering the growth of cancer cells. They can help protect against different kinds of cancers, such as those that affect the lungs, pancreas and ovaries.
Where to buy Queen Forelle Pears.
You can purchase this fruit at Lyman Orchards Farm Store, Walmart store, and Berkeley Bowl West.
Queen Tahiti Pineapple.
The Queen Tahiti pineapples are the crown jewels of the people of Moorea. Exporting this pineapple is one of their greatest sources of income. Moorea is an island in the north-west of Tahiti. It is no surprise where this fruit gets its name from.
The fruit is cylindrical with a yellow-green skin divided into hexagonal patches. The flesh is juicy and has a nice aromatic scent that is pleasant to the nostrils.
This fruit is a popular choice for making juices and wines.
It also goes by names such as Panaioo, Tahitian pineapple, and Moorea pineapple. Its botanical name is Ananas comosus.
The Queen Tahiti pineapple is a very nutritional fruit. A 100 g serving of this pineapple yields:
- 50 calories
- 13 g of carbs
- 1.4 g of fiber
- 79% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C.
Uses:
- It can be distilled into wines.
- Pineapple can be used as a sweetener for cocktails.
- The fruit can be cubed and added to fruit salads.
Health benefits
- Rich in antioxidants: Pineapples are rich in phenols, which happen to be powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants can help get rid of free radicals that can cause damage to your body cells. It can also act as a detoxifier.
- Boosts your immune system: Pineapples are a rich source of vitamin C. 100 g of this fruit provides about 78% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C as a supplement provides a great boost to your immune system. Vitamin C helps stimulate the production of white blood cells. Deficiency in vitamin C can lead to scurvy.
- Aids digestion: Pineapples are rich in bromelain. Bromelain is a digestive enzyme that helps in the digestion of meat. In the South American climes, pineapples are usually added as a side dish to chickens and meats. This bromelain is especially important for individuals who have pancreatic insufficiency. It helps to break down the proteins and makes them easier for the small intestine to absorb.
Where to buy Queen Tahiti pineapples
The Queen Tahiti pineapple is available at Walmart, Kroger, and Costco.
Quenepa
Quenepas are known commonly as Spanish limes. Its botanical name is Melicoccus bijugatus. It belongs to the family of Sapindaceae. It is native to the tropical regions of South and Central America.
It is a soapberry drupe with a single whitish seed in its center. Though on rare occasions there might be two. This seed takes up the majority of the fruit, and is covered by an orange fleshy pulp.
The taste of the fruit is a wine-like flavor. The taste is reminiscent of a hybrid between limes and lychee. However, care must be taken when consuming this fruit because of its slippery seeds, which are a potential choking hazard.
Quenepas are very nutritious fruits. 100 g of the fruit yields:
- 56 calories
- 19 g of carbs
- 1 g of fiber
- 8% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C.
Health benefits
- Promotes good vision: The Quenepa fruit is rich in vitamin A. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness, which is a condition that makes it difficult for you to see in dim light. Consuming quenepas is a sure way to prevent that.
- Helps the heart: Quenepas are rich in phenolic compounds that help the heart. These compounds help prevent cardiovascular issues and lower the level of cholesterol in your blood. They can also protect your blood vessels from oxidative damage.
- Aids weight loss: The Spanish limes are very rich sources of fiber. They also have a high water content. These two combine to help you lose weight. They give you a feeling of fullness while eating, and they prevent you from consuming more calories than necessary.
Where to buy Quenepas
Quenepas can be purchased on Amazon. You can also purchase them in these locations: Tropical Fruit Box and J & C Tropicals.
Vegetables
Quinoa
Quinoa is a herbaceous pseudocereal that is from the Amaranthaceae family. It is closely related to spinach. It is majorly grown for its seeds as grains. However, the leaves are also edible. It is native to the northwestern region of South America.
Its botanical name is Chenopodium quinoa.
The seeds of this plant are very rich in fiber and other vital nutrients.
100 g of the cooked quinoa yield:
- 120 calories
- 21.3 g of carbs
- 2.8 g of fiber
- 4.4 g of protein.
Uses
- Quinoa can be ground into flour.
- The seeds can be added into porridges, acting as a thickener.
- It provides excellent food for babies.
Health benefits
- Rich in fiber: Quinoa is a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fibers. Insoluble fibers are useful in your digestive tract as they provide fuel for the “good bacteria” to feed upon. This promotes better digestive health. In addition, fiber helps to slow down the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream, and this can help regulate your sugar levels.
- Rich in protein: Quinoa provides a rich source of protein for your body. It contains all the essential amino acids that your body cannot produce. This makes it a complete protein source.
- It is gluten-free: Quinoa provides an alternative source to conventional cereals like wheat, which might have gluten. This is helpful for those who are intolerant of gluten, like those suffering from celiac disease.
- Rich in antioxidants: Quinoa has lots of antioxidants that are good for your heart. Studies have linked consuming quinoa to a lowered risk of stroke and other cardiovascular-related ailments. These antioxidants also help to lower the level of cholesterol in your blood.
Where to buy Quinoa?
Quinoa can be purchased at Walmart, Whole Foods Market, and CentralMarket.
Queen’s Wreath
The Queen’s wreath, also known as coral vine, is a member of the buckwheat family. Its botanical name is Antigonon leptopus and it is native to Mexico. It is a perennial plant that is grown for its grain.
It is a fast-growing vine with climbing tendrils. The plant can be propagated by seed. However, its tubers in the ground can provide another means of propagation.
Uses
- The leaves can be ground into a paste and used to treat skin issues.
- The seeds of this plant can be ground and used as flour.
- The flowers can be fried with eggs.
Health benefits
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Extracts from the leaves can be used to reduce inflammation in tissues. It is also an effective analgesic.
- Treats colds and flus: Decoctions made from the leaves and flowers can be used to treat flus and colds.
Where to buy a Queen’s wreath
A Queen’s wreath can be purchased at any nearby grocery store. You can get them at Trader Joe’s and Walmart.
Queensland Arrowroot
Queensland Arrowroot, known botanically as Canna indica, is a flowering plant species that is native to Central and South America. It is propagated by rhizomes that are starch-filled, and it gives good culinary value. The starch granules are quite large and are visible to the naked eye. It has the largest starch granules of any known species.
The tubers of this plant have a high nutritional value. They are very rich in B vitamins and provide a rich source of potassium. One cup of sliced arrowroot tuber yields:
- 78 calories
- 16.07 g of carbs
- 1.6 g of fiber
- 2.66 mg of iron
- 496 nanograms of folate
Uses
- The tubers can be cooked and eaten.
- The starch from this plant can be used for baking.
- The leaves of this plant can be used for the wrapping of food.
- The seeds from the plant can be used to make jewelry.
Health benefits
- It is gluten free: Just like with quinoa, arrowroot is free from gluten. You can use this starch as an alternative to cornstarch. This is a good choice for those with gluten allergies.
- Rich in B-vitamins: Niacin and riboflavin are contained in abundance in the tubers of this plant. Niacin is well known for its ability to reduce bad cholesterol in your blood and lower the risk of cardiovascular health issues. It is also rich in folates (vitamin B9), which is essential for the development of new red blood cells. In addition, vitamin B9 promotes the proper development of the fetus during pregnancy.
- It is good for babies: Arrowroot is loaded with minerals such as zinc and magnesium, and the powder can provide a good substitute for breastmilk. It is also effective at dealing with coughs in babies.
Where to buy Arrowroot
Queensland Arrowroot can be purchased on Amazon. You can also get its products at Walmart, Costco, and Kroger.
Queensland Nut
The Queensland nut, which belongs to the genus Macadamia, is a flowering plant of the family Proteaceae. This bit is native to the region of Australia. This but is characterized by a hard shell and gives life to that phrase, ” a tough nut to crack.” It requires about 2000 newtons to break it open.
Macadamias are made up of 14% carbohydrates, 76% fat, and 8% protein. They have a high fat content compared to other nuts.
A 100 g serving of these nuts gives:
- 718 calories
- 76 g of fat
- 14 g of carbs
- 9 g of fiber
- 8 g of protein
- 2% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C.
Uses:
- These nuts can be processed into a paste to make macadamia butter, which can be spread on bread just like peanut butter.
- They can be snacked on and eaten raw
Health benefits
- Rich in Monounsaturated Fats: These nuts are quite rich in monounsaturated fats, which help to lower the level of low density lipids (LDL), or bad cholesterol, in your blood. This promotes overall good heart health.
- Rich in antioxidants: Macadamia nuts, like most nuts, are a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals. These nuts have a high level of flavonoids which are important in lowering cholesterol and fighting inflammation.
Where to buy Queensland nuts
The Queensland Nut can be purchased at Target, Walmart, and Amazon.