africa

Papaya
Deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was reputably called the fruit of the angels by Christopher Columbus. Once considered quite exotic, they can now be found in markets throughout the year. Although there is a slight seasonal peak in early summer and fall, papaya trees produce fruit year round. Papayas are spherical or pear-shaped fruits that can be as long as 20 inches. The ones commonly found in the market usually average about 7 inches and weigh about one pound. Their flesh is a rich orange color with either yellow or pink hues. Inside the inner cavity of the fruit are black, round seeds encased in a gelatinous-like substance. Papayas seeds are edible, although their peppery flavor is somewhat bitter. The fruit, as well as the other parts of the papaya tree, contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. This enzyme is especially concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe. Papain is extracted to make ...

Bananas
Wonderfully sweet with firm and creamy flesh, bananas come prepackaged in their own yellow jackets and are available for harvest throughout the year. The banana plant grows 10 to 26 feet and belongs to the same family as the lily and the orchid. The cluster of fruits contain anywhere from 50 to 150 bananas with individual fruits grouped in bunches, known as hands, containing 10 to 25 bananas. Food Chart This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Bananas provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Bananas can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Bananas, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart. * Health Benefits * Description * History * How to Select and Store * How to Enjoy * ...

Lemon/Limes
Although lemons and limes may not be what you would choose for an afternoon snack, we consider them as powerhouses when we want to bring out the flavor of other foods. While both are available throughout the year, lemons are in the peak of their season around May, June and August while limes are at their peak from May through October. Lemons are oval in shape and feature a yellow, texturized outer peel. Like other citrus fruits, their inner flesh is encased in eight to ten segments. Usually smaller than lemons, limes are oval or round in shape having a diameter of one to two inches with green flesh and skin. They can be either sour or sweet depending on the variety; however, sweet limes are not readily available in the United States. Sour limes contain citric acid giving them an acidic and tart taste, while sweet limes while lack citric acid and are sweeter in flavor. Food Chart This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Lemon/Limes provides for each of the nutrients ...

Motoslvr Red
Motorola has joined forces with U2s Bono to launch the Motoslvr Red, a phone to help fight Aids in Africa. The ultra-thin scarlet phone combines the latest technology, including an integrated VGA camera with video capture and playback, an MP3 player, up to 512 MB expandable memory, WAP 2.0 Internet browser and messaging via MMS and email. Plus, £10 of every phone sold will go to the Global Fund and five per cent of the cost of every call, text and download goes towards saving those with Aids in ...

Top 10: Exclusive Adventures
While sprawling on a beach for two weeks with a chilled margarita is certainly preferable to a hard-day’s slog in the office, more and more of us are looking for a side portion of something a little more challenging for our vacation time. That said, just because we’re up for a little adventure Indiana Jones style, it doesn’t mean we’re prepared to skimp on creature comforts; yes, we still expect world-class customer service and five-star accommodation while we’re trekking up the side of a mountain or exploring the coral reefs deep beneath the ocean’s surface. Indeed, more companies than ever are catering to the well-heeled adventurer like ourselves, and we’ve tracked down the top 10 exclusive adventures you can book for your next stint away from the burdens of office life. Number 10 Gorillas in the MistUganda, Africa - Credit: iStockPhoto.com Uganda, East Africa Home to over 300 birds and the greatest concentration of primates in East Africa, Uganda begs to be explored. If you don’t ...