Antidesma bunius or Bignay is a cousin of the blackcurrant. It is a well-known plant all over Asia due to its use in traditional medicine. While therapeutic claims are still being studied, Bignay has been used over the centuries to treat traumatic injuries as well as snake bites. Some liken the fruit to cranberries, and there is no significant record of consumption or importation of the fruit to the United States.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Euphorbiales
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Genus: Antidesma
- Species: A. bunius
- Binomial name: Antidesma bunius
Bignay Trivia
- The leaves of the Bignay Tree are sudorific and is still being used today as a first-aid treatment for snakebites.
- Pregnant women are advised against consuming any Bignay product as it may lead to abortion.
- The roots of the tree are poisonous.
- The bark of the tree yields a strong fiber that can be used for rope and cord.
Bignay Buying Guide
As of writing, there are no known import/export activities of Bignay fruit or full availability in stores and supermarkets.
Some specialty shops carry Bignay wine, but they’re tough to find.
Bignay Production & Farming in Texas
There is no known commercial Bignay production in Texas and the rest of the United States.
Pesticides:
In Asia, where Bignay grows natively, this tree is considered to be invasive, and no special pesticides/herbicides are used in the production of Bignay.
Geography:
Bignay Trees grows best in hot and humid tropical lowlands. It is not strictly tropical as it has proved to be hardy in Central Florida.
Packaging:
No information is known on commercial Bignay farming.
Enjoying Bignay
The fruit can be eaten raw when ripe. The fruit is slightly sweet and very juicy. It is likened by those who have tried it to cranberries.
Storage:
Bignay is not commonly harvested and sold as a fruit product.
Cooking:
Green Bignay fruits are added to flavor fish soup dishes with a tart taste. Ripe fruits are usually made into jellies and wines. Young leaves of the Bignay tree is sometimes used as ingredients for salads.
Nutrition:
The Bignay fruit has long been thought to have a lot of medicinal properties. The Bignay fruit contains anti-toxins that are traditionally used in the management of hypertension, diabetes, dysentery, gastric intestinal problems, constipation, and indigestion.
- Carbs
- 100g of edible Bignay contains 6.3g of carbs with the majority of it being sugar
- Fiber
- Bignay fruit contains insoluble fibers that can help with constipation and cleansing of the gut.
- Protein
- Bignay is not a significant source of protein.
- Vitamins and minerals:
- Bignay contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals which include: Iron, Calcium, Phosphorous, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A
- The presence of these adds some substance to health claims made by those who use the fruit as traditional medicine.
