Arbutus

Arbutus unedo (Koumaria in Greek), one of the most beautiful plants of the Greek flora, is also one of the most suitable for protecting the soil from erosion. Its leaves and fruits are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Ripe kumaras are not only sweet and delicious, but at the same time, they significantly benefit our health. It is found on dry and stony slopes, it is also cultivated as an ornamental plant and needs sun to grow. In Corfu, two species coexist , the arbutus unedo and the wild arbutus or deer arbutus (arbutus andrachne). Koumaria is one of the few plants that has flowers, unripe and ripe fruits at the same time.
Known since ancient times, it is the “commaros” of Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Hippocrates and was used for its hemostatic properties as well as against thrombophlebitis. The ancient Greeks did not prefer them as a fruit. Pliny the Elder gave the plant the name Unedo which comes from the Latin “unum edo” which means “I eat only one”. Its wood was used along with other shrubs and trees as charcoal in metallurgy for smelting metals. In Europe wine, cognac and a soft drink known as crème d’arbouse, which facilitates digestion, were made from courgettes.
Kumaras are used in folk medicine as antiseptics, diuretics and laxatives, while kumara leaves, in addition to the above, are used in the treatment of hypertension and diabetes. Ripe kumaras are recommended for constipation and aerophagia but in limited quantities.
It is a very good source of vitamin C and fiber, rich in carbohydrates, sugars, potassium, pectins and polyphenols, while it is poor in lipids and sodium.
Kumaras should be eaten when they are completely ripe. Overripe they turn sour due to fermentation and alcohol formation, unripe they are unflavored and astringent . Strong raki is made from kumara, while in Europe they make wine, cognac and a soft drink known as crème d’arbouse which facilitates digestion.
Also, the honey from the primrose flower helps to reduce cholesterol, headaches and stomach ache. The bark of the tree is used as a dye for leather processing because it contains high levels of tannins.
In Corfu, kumaras are called kourama as the people of Corfu have a habit of anagramming the words. So the village with the most kumaras is called Kouramades.