"Milk" trees

"Milk" trees can be seen in the countries of Central and South America. This plant with shiny foliage and large, reaches a height of 30 meters. The roots are large, disc-shaped, whole leaves are large, leathery. The flowers are unisexual, gathered in capitate inflorescences.

Milk trees can be seen in the countries of Central and South America

"Milk" trees have inedible fruit, but they are very much appreciated by the local population for their juice, which follows, when an incision in the bark of the tree. Like many other members of the mulberry these trees secrete a milky juice, but, unlike the juice of other plants, it is not poisonous, but quite edible and tasty. It consists mostly of water (57%) and plant wax (37%), the proportion of sugars and resins have to 6.5%. In contrast to the present latex milk, "milk" of the tree has a thick, viscous consistency and balsamic aroma. This "milk" does not deteriorate during the week, even in a tropical climate, well mixed with water in all proportions, without folding. It is widely used by the local population for food as a substitute for cow's milk. When boiling on the surface of the wax is released, coming for the manufacture of candles and chewing gum. In addition, "milk" trees are used as building material.

"Milk" trees is also called galaktodendron trees. "Milking" they have to be for a long time: in the course of one hour from cut stems is about 1 liter of juice.

Furthermore, in the forests of Venezuela and Brazil are growing and other "milk" trees. For example, the so-called "sorveyra", that is, in our opinion "nipple-tree". These "milk" trees can provide for one "milking" of 2 to 4 liters of vegetable milk. Before use it must be diluted with water and boil.

In West Africa grow oil palms, which can also be called "milk" trees. Their oil is thickened juice. Its taste not quite different from butter familiar to us. But this oil is very bad spread on bread. The local population uses this juice as a food product.

Similar the "milk" trees have been found in the Amazon River. This palm juice in flavor is very similar to milk. The fruits of this tree contain "oil" is similar to an olive. In Brazil, trying to cultivate these "milk" trees.

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