Akebia quinata and Akebia trifoliata both bear edible fruit, containing a sweet white flesh.[6] Flavor varies greatly in akebias, even within the same species, with some individuals displaying a complex flavor profile resembling a mixture of banana, passionfruit and lychee, with others being mild, or even insipid (flavorless).[7] The "insipid" akebia varieties have the flavor intensity of dragon fruit.[8]
Akebia in Japan
Akebia is often mentioned in Japanese literature, where it is evocative of pastoral settings.[9] Although the akebi commonly refers to the five-leafed species, the three-leafed species is used in much the same way for novelty food, medicine, and for vine material.
While only a minor food eaten while foraging in the past, akebia is considered a specialty crop today, only available when in season. The pods contain a white, semi-translucent gelatinous pulp that is mildly sweet and full of seeds.[10] The taste is described as sweet but rather "insipid".[10] Some people recollect in idyllic terms how they foraged for it in the hills as children.[11]
The purple-colored, slightly bitter rind has been used as a vegetable in Yamagata Prefecture[11][12] or in those northern areas, where the typical recipe calls for stuffing the rind with minced chicken (or pork) flavored with miso.[12] Minor quantities of akebia are shipped to the urban market as a novelty vegetable.
In addition to consuming the fruit, akebia leaves are also made into a tea infusion.[9] Outside of food and drinks, akebia vines are used for basket-weaving crafts. An old source lists Minakuchi, Shiga and Tsugaru (now Aomori Prefecture) as localities that produced baskets from the vines of trifoliate variety.[13]
Akebia fruit growing in western WashingtonRipe Akebia quinata grown in Washington state
Gallery
Ripe Akebia trifoliata fruit
Akebia quinata leaves and flowers
Female flowers of Akebia quinata (large) and male (small)
Early fruit of Akebia quinata
Akebia quinata flower
Early fruit of Akebia quinata
Pinker more magenta fruits of an A. quinata
Bluish variety of A. trifoliata
References
1 2 3 "Akebia Decne". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
1 2 Nimura, Kazuo(二村一夫)r (2006-07-22). "食の自分史"[Self-history on food]. 『食の自分史』. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
1 2 Yamagata City Health Center (2011-01-31). "あけびの詰め物"[stuffed akebia]. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2017., photograph shows trifoliate variety (twig, fresh purple plant, and prepared dish)
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