Noni, the Latin name for noni fruit, is a tropical fruit-bearing plant in the mint family, Citrus genus. Its native range stretches across Southeast Asia and southern Australia and was initially spread over the Pacific. It has now become widely naturalized and is cultivated throughout the tropical Pacific. Like other fruits, it is commonly eaten as an ingredient in Asian and American dishes.
The fruit of the plant, the noni fruit, is slightly oblate in shape with a texture close to that of a walnut. Hard, colored flesh hangs from the green spiny leaves. The pulp of the fruit is black in color and has an intense flavor, similar to that of a ripe red tomato. Due to its bitter taste, the plant is cultivated mainly for its seed. The seed, called nopolis, is used to manufacture juices and drinks.
The nopolis seeds are very perishable, which explains why it is only eaten after it is ripe. Because of this very specific process, the noni fruit is only eaten when it is in perfect condition, most often within 24 hours of being plucked from its tree. To ensure that it gets to the stage of being consumed fresh, it is handpicked daily. Because of the perishable nature of the seed, the juice is harvested a few days after it is plucked. Because of the sensitive nature of the taste of the noni juice, it is only produced in large amounts each day.
Many people, who have become accustomed to the taste of this exotic fruit, prefer to make their own Noni juice, using recipes that they have learned through reading of various care instructions. Making the juice at home is quite simple. For people who live in warmer climates, the best time to start harvesting your own is late afternoon. For cooler climates, such as those in the Pacific Northwest, early morning is typically a good time. Either way, you should set aside at least a day for planting and setting the pump up in order to harvest your own.
You will need to collect some containers and other supplies such as soil, food, water, fertilizer, a net, gloves, and protective covering such as plastic wrap or a paper bag. When learning how to grow a Noni plant from scratch, you should also know that you will need to learn about how to care for the plant once it has been established. You can find a wealth of information on the internet about how to care for Noni fruits online. This information should help you to better care for the plant once it has been transplanted into a garden.
Although many people use the Noni plant to treat common illnesses, there are still quite a few people who continue to be skeptical about its healing abilities. However, the extensive research that has been done on the fruit has proven that it is, in fact, a very nutritious food. It is high in vitamin C, fiber, niacin, and many B vitamins. The research also shows that the Noni fruit does not contain any artificial ingredients or pesticides, which makes it even safer for use than most fruits. The best care instructions for caring for a Noni plant should be followed by anyone who intends to harvest the fruit.