Traders of African star fruit, popularly known as “Alasa” are making huge profit in various parts of the country including Odumase Krobo due to the large public patronage of the product. A survey conducted indicated that a basket of the fruit cost GH¢100.00.
A number of traders had also displayed the Alasa on table-tops, or hawking in markets, lorry stations, around offices and residential areas.
Speaking to Rite news in an interview, Mrs Mercy Osei, a trader at Agomanya said, the Alasa was a seasonal fruit that flooded the market every year from January to March. According to her, the fruit sold from 50 pesewas to GH¢3.00 depending on the size.
“If the fruit is well ripe, it is sweet and attracts a lot of consumers. We also arrange it well to make it attractive for buyers,” she said.
Another, Mrs. Selina Sowah noted that, Alasa attracted pregnant women who bought it to reduce nausea.
A patron of the fruit, miss lsabella Dapaah said: ‘I eat a lot of the fruit because I learnt that frequent consumption of the fruit can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol thereby preventing or managing heart diseases.
“It gives your body a better chance of fighting and avoiding heart diseases and cancer,” she added.
Another added that he heard the fruit was good and a natural remedy for fat people to lose weight. He observed that, it was also a natural remedy for toothache and constipation.
Madam Matilda Addo, a new comer in the business said it was fetching her good income that enabled her to support her household and expressed the hope that the business would continue to grow.
According to research Alasa presents a good source for vitamin c and have other nutritive values, despite its bitter after-taste.
Source: ritefmonline.org
