28.07.2017
We offer you a brief introduction to the amazing creation of the sea - black acabar coral, numbering 235 species. Its habitat is all oceans, but the most comfortable waters are in the tropical and subtropical zones. Most of these polyps are mined off the coast of Cuba. The local divers have to dive deeper than 100 meters, because the akabar cannot withstand sunlight. If a colony forms closer to the surface of the water, then it will certainly be in a grotto or cave. Another prerequisite for existence is a strong current: it carries plankton, which living polyps feed on.
The needle-like structure of the coral’s skeleton gave it a special name - “spiky”. Colonies are numerous: small (about 2 mm long) cylindrical polyps form a flexible axis and extend from it in different directions. As a result, a kind of tree or spiral is formed.
Description of the stone
The scientific name for black corals is Antipatharia, and the common name is acabar or “spiny” corals.
The name is given because of the special structure of the skeleton, the surface of which is covered with microscopic spines or spines (in some species the spines are poorly developed or completely absent).
There are more than 2,800 varieties worldwide. After much scientific research, the minerals were classified as animal plants.
Translated from Greek, Antipatharia means “against disease.”
Black coral is unique due to its curved and porous skeletal axis: some of the thin appendages are so twisted that they resemble a DNA helix. Some resemble trees, while others resemble single stems.
Most colonial organisms have few distinctive morphological characteristics and are difficult to classify due to poor quality specimens (requiring a long time to grow to obtain complete material).
Corals do not live in brackish waters, but are often found in areas of underwater currents.
Polyps are distinguished by their multifaceted colors, do not allow sunlight to pass through, and shimmer with a matte, dull shine (slightly greasy at the break).
The unusual beauty of the underwater mineral attracted jewelry connoisseurs many years ago. For this reason, many shallow black-coral gardens have been devastated, especially in Hawaii.
What fruits to bring from Cuba
The assortment of fruits on the shelves of Cuban shops and markets varies depending on the season. Bananas, coconuts, pineapples, watermelons and melons are sold here all year round. But watermelons and melons are not as sweet as in Russia and Central Asia.
Fruits from Cuba Photo: © Dmitry Traveler
Among the unusual fruits worth bringing from Cuba:
- Barbados cherry . The bright red berry is juicy and, surprisingly for a cherry, crunchy. It tastes more like gooseberries.
- Guanabana . The green, spiky skinned fruit is very impressive in appearance. Inside there is white pulp, the taste is similar to ice cream, but without cloying sweetness, with a slight sourness.
- Kaimito . Another name is star apple. There are fruits with green and purple flesh. The fruit tastes like a plum.
- Carambola . The fruit has a refreshing sweet and sour taste. When cut, the fruit resembles a star; it is often used to decorate cocktails and desserts.
- Cocona . The fruit looks very similar to a greenish tomato on the outside, but on the inside it looks like a bell pepper, only with pulp. There is nothing special in the taste, but in combination with sugar the aroma of the fruit is revealed. Tourists recommend purchasing jams with cocoon.
- Mammea . Another name is American apricot. Externally, the fruit does not look very appetizing - the peel resembles a beet, but behind it lies juicy pulp with an apricot taste.
- Mamoncillo . The lime-sized fruit tastes similar to a tangerine with a gummy consistency.
- Cherimoya . A green fruit that looks like a cone the size of an apple. Cherimoya tastes like sweetish yogurt.
What fruits can you bring from Cuba? There are no special prohibitions or regulations on the export of fruits. It will be problematic (due to their large size) to export watermelons, melons, and jackfruit. Other fruits can be carried within the permitted baggage weight limit.
Coral mining and processing
The most studied and regulated black coral fisheries are in Hawaii (harvesting has been going on since 1960). Minerals are also collected in Cuba, the Red Sea and India.
In the Caribbean, harvesting is primarily done for tourists, and follows a boom and bust cycle where new populations of organisms are discovered and overexploited, leading to a rapid decline in valuable material—a 2016 estimate was that coral populations have never recovered.
Minerals are removed from the water using nets that are tied to special long beams.
The corals raised to the surface are sorted, cleaned, polished, beads, ovals, cabochons are made, and immersed in a special solution for 3 days (to add shine and further clean).
↑ 3. Coffee and jam riot
The morning begins with coffee - this is exactly what happens for every Cuban. The local coffee is distinguished by its strength. You should drink it from small cups, add plenty of sugar and wash it down with cold water.
The varieties of grains here are selected by size and color, and then drinks of three categories are prepared from them. The best is the first; only ideal seeds without defects are used for it. The best brands are Altura, Guantanama, Maragogip, Serrano. By taking a few packs of local coffee with you, you will be able to face each day like a real Cuban for a long time.
A sandwich with guava jam is perfect for an invigorating drink.
In Cuba, guava grows literally everywhere. Because of its healing properties and many vitamins, it is considered one of the healthiest fruits on Earth. In addition, guava has a persistent pleasant smell, which is why Cubans often eat it after smoking a cigar or drinking alcohol.
Tasty, healthy and nutritious jam from this fruit is sold on every corner in Cuba and it is simply impossible to go home without it.
Meaning in esotericism
The main chakras of coral are: heart - pink, throat and third eye - blue, all others - white.
The waxing moon fills the mineral with energy, which has healing powers. But you should not charge jewelry if the moon is in a waning phase or the new moon stage - then, on the contrary, negative energy is collected, and instead of a surge of strength, a person feels causeless irritation.
Since ancient times, black coral has been considered a symbol of mystery, sadness, melancholy and loss of strength for naturally energetic people.
The mineral is believed to energetically represent the fear we experience on the spiritual journey - resulting in a renewed sense of self, overcoming energetic blockages caused by self-doubt, exhaustion, depression or helplessness.
It’s as if a person is being reborn again.
Coral has the energy of the god of the sea, calms, brings peace, enhances intuition, develops imagination and a sense of visualization.
There is another amazing property - the ability to mentally “connect” with spiritual teachers and quickly assimilate any information.
Black coral is known as a “stone” of regeneration and purification; it absorbs negativity from the environment, clears the mind, which is especially important when making serious decisions, and helps to cope with the fear of the dark.
It is recommended to wear coral bracelets or rings for people experiencing internal fear or sleep problems, especially if they often suffer from nightmares.
Types of black corals
The tree-like branched skeleton of the Antipathes species consists of a black horny substance, which is used to make crafts.
Maximum height – 2 m, main habitat – tropics.
Cirrhipathes are whip or wiry minerals, most often twisted into a spiral.
The skeleton is dark, densely dotted with polyps. The main habitat is the tropics and subtropics.
There is a separate, yellow species, Cirrhipathes anguina. Small crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and crayfish find homes in the cavities of the mineral. Maximum height up to 2.5 m.
Only 25 of all existing types of coral are suitable for making jewelry.
Endangered species and breeding attempts
Black coral can be collected only after its complete formation, which takes at least 50 years.
But it is not only slow growth that prevents the population from recovering - a large number of minerals do not meet the established quality standards.
The most expensive and valuable corals are obtained in Hawaii. Now they are trying to grow minerals in artificial pools. Despite intolerance to sunlight, the need for high-quality food and “correct” water flows, scientists note considerable success in breeding.
Cigars
The famous Cuban cigars have been produced on the island since 1492 and are considered the best in the world.
Fans of Cuban cigars included Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Mark Twain, Sigmund Freud and Catherine the Great. Queen of France Catherine de' Medici used cigars to cure migraines, and John Kennedy purchased 1,200 of them for himself before imposing an embargo on Cuba.
For lovers of good tobacco, a similar gift will be simply priceless. The most popular brand is Cohiba. These cigars are considered quite refined in the world and belong to the Premium Class goods. The Cohiba Lanceros brand is considered a hand-rolling legend. The Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No variety has a unique cedar wrapper. In general, there is a very large selection, you need to try it.
Magic properties
Corals have had mystical properties since ancient times.
In the east, talismans and amulets made from rare minerals are still highly valued.
Inserts made of black products can be found in religious paraphernalia and even in the components of weapons - thus, soldiers attracted good luck and protected themselves from harm.
Pebbles endowed with mystical powers were placed in the crib of newborns to protect them from the evil eye.
Coral beads and amulets scare away evil spirits and protect against misfortunes on a long journey.
Black coral helps restore harmony in family relationships and protects spouses from quarrels and betrayals.
Single girls are advised to wear talismans in order to find a husband - women become more seductive to men.
It is worth giving up decoration if a person is full of vital energy - black coral will “suck out” it completely.
Local products
Cuban markets offer customers very bright, beautiful and relatively inexpensive clothes and accessories. However, the quality of such things here is sometimes poor, because almost all of them are made of synthetic materials. A tourist will have to spend a lot of time to find clothes made from natural linen or cotton. If such things catch your eye, then you can take them without any regard. They will serve their owner for a very long time.
What clothes should you bring from Cuba? The most popular item in this segment of the Liberty Island market is a men's shirt called a “guayabera.” For almost five decades, its style has not undergone any changes. It is characterized by patch pockets, as well as several rows of small, neatly stitched folds. These shirts are made from natural fabric (silk or cotton). They can easily cope with the Cuban heat. It will be nice to be in such a shirt in summer Russia. It is worth noting that guayaberas were brought by the first tourists from the USSR who managed to visit Liberty Island.
What to buy in Cuba from clothes for women? Local traders sell dresses whose cut is the same as that of the guayabera. They have a fastener, like a robe, from top to bottom. In addition to dresses for women from Cuba, you can bring bright scarves and skirts made of cotton fabrics.
Traditional tourist souvenirs are T-shirts. On Liberty Island they are decorated with portraits of Fidel Castro, Hemingway, Che Guevara. And many of them have the inscription Havana on them.
For anyone looking for an answer to the question “What to bring from Cuba?”, shopping in Havana in the form of a trip to shopping centers will bring only disappointment. There is a rather meager selection of clothing on the shelves. The assortment offered to customers, as a rule, consists of goods made in China. That is why experienced tourists recommend that those who decide to dress up like Cuban visit souvenir shops.
Medicinal properties
Once upon a time, black coral was ground into powder and used as medicine. But you shouldn’t do this now - the mineral contains a lot of protein, which can cause an allergic reaction (the information has not been proven).
If a person has a fever, then the jewelry becomes dull, stops shining and seems to “wither.”
Bracelets, rings, brooches help strengthen the immune system, cure sinusitis, tonsillitis, osteoporosis, rheumatism and nervous diseases.
Wearing mineral jewelry reduces the risk of cancer.
But this is not all the healing properties of black corals.
Metabolic processes in the body are gradually restored, allergic rashes and other skin diseases disappear, and heart function improves.
Black coral strengthens the circulatory system and bones, accelerates skin regeneration, and removes toxins and waste accumulated in the intestines.
Back massage with minerals is especially popular in beauty salons.
Cosmetics
What can you bring from Cuba as a gift? Cuban products that are very popular among women are locally produced perfumes. Such perfumery cannot be found in any other country in the world. Cuban perfumes are produced from exotic plants growing on the island. Moreover, this product is completely natural. It does not contain an alcohol base. Experienced travelers recommend purchasing perfume in Cuba as a gift not only for women. Men will also be pleased with this gift.
Good quality also distinguishes skin care products produced in Cuba. Judging by the reviews of many women, they preferred to buy the cream for themselves, as well as as a gift.
How to distinguish from a fake
To determine whether coral is real or not, it is boiled in milk. Real, organically grown material will give off a faint scent of myrrh.
When lying in water for a long time, the color of the stone becomes more saturated and bright.
In markets, colored glass, plastic, or forms of limestone are often passed off as natural minerals.
- Weigh the mineral in your hand - if it is cold and heavy, it means it is made of glass.
- White streaks remain on limestone after scratches.
- When plastic melts, it emits an unpleasant odor and cracks.
Artificially grown material made from remnants, chips or calcite powder can be passed off as natural coral - substandard products are often made into oval or round shaped products. Some craftsmen add coral shavings.
Counterfeits are also made from quartzite - a cheap gem is visually similar to coral, but it is easy to distinguish it from a natural one - unlike organic material, which becomes warm in the palm, quartzite does not heat up and remains cold.
For organically grown minerals, they try not to change their natural shape and limit themselves to light polishing.
They sell fakes 10 times cheaper. Rest assured, if you are offered jewelry for 150-200 dollars, then it is a fake.
Shoes
What to bring from Cuba? In the tourist area of Varadero, travelers can purchase inexpensive sandals or flip-flops. But, judging by the reviews of tourists, the quality of these shoes will leave much to be desired. Anyone who decides to go shopping in Havana is advised to go to large shopping centers. The stores there sell relatively inexpensive shoes from Brazil. Of course, these are not at all the products that would correspond to the local flavor, but at the same time, a tourist can bring shoes of excellent quality home to Russia.
Anyone vacationing in Holguin or strolling around Havana is advised to check out the local boutiques. Here you can find leather shoes made from crocodile skin for sale, for which you will also need to take the appropriate certificate for exporting them abroad.
Black coral jewelry
Black minerals are not ideal for jewelry because they are too soft and do not contain calcium carbonate. For this reason, over time, jewelry begins to dry out and break down.
Black corals are used to make not only beads, hair clips, earrings and talismans, but also implants for dental crowns and prosthetic joints.
Can be combined with ruby, garnet, emeralds, opal. Frame – gold, platinum. Black coral is never set in plastic or silver.
Although black coral jewelry can be purchased in Hawaii and other areas of the Pacific Ocean, the minerals are protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
In most countries, the collection of the valuable material is strictly controlled, and import and export across international borders is strictly prohibited without government permission.
You can buy jewelry with rare underwater decorations only in specialized stores.
You can’t wear jewelry all the time—it will lose color and deteriorate faster when it interacts with the skin and the sun’s rays.
Do not clean minerals with harsh cleaning agents or scrub with hard sponges.
Wash only in warm, slightly soapy water.
Store jewelry in special cases, try not to leave it in the sun.
Tips from experienced tourists
It is unlikely that you will hear enthusiastic words from novice travelers in reviews of shopping in Cuba. There is a shortage in the country, and at the same time, for tourists who come to vacation in resort towns, prices are raised to the highest level. But don't despair. Experienced travelers still recommend strolling through shops, markets, and also visiting shops at factories. During this shopping, you will be able to make sure that you will still be able to bring something interesting from Cuba. However, it is worth keeping in mind that Liberty Island has two national currencies. Both are Cuban pesos, only one is convertible and the other is not. Guests of the country should be interested in the first option, because the convertible peso, which is called “kuk” (1 “kuk” is equal to 65 Russian rubles), is used in tourist areas. As for the second type of currency, it is applicable in other stores, as well as when paying for various services by local residents.
It is also worth keeping in mind that on the island they do not like everything that is connected with America. That is why it is not recommended to take US dollars and credit cards related to the banks of this country with you on the road. Of course, such currency can be exchanged. However, the tourist will be charged 10 to 20 percent commission. And this, of course, is very unprofitable. It is best to take euros with you, because no additional commission will be charged when exchanging this currency. It is best to carry out such a financial transaction in banks, hotels, and also in special exchange offices. You shouldn’t turn to street money changers, because it’s impossible to earn a lot from this, but the risk of running into a scammer is quite high. Russian tourists should not take rubles with them. Their exchange rate is significantly lower than the euro. So, what can you bring from Cuba as a gift?
Price
The price for black coral is quite high, which is not surprising, because the mineral is listed in the Red Book. At the 2008 auction, a brooch was presented that cost $25,000; it was bought for much more ($36,000).
You will be able to export the jewelry if you receive an invoice in your hand.
The document can only be obtained from a specialized store in Cuba.
Prices for rings, bracelets and souvenirs start at $100 (depending on size).
↑ 2. Alcohol riot
Cuban rum is no less famous.
It was here that the technology was invented, thanks to which this drink acquired its present face, turning from a cheap drink beloved by pirates into one of the world's revered types of alcohol.
Production differs at different factories, but the most famous and high-quality brands are “Mulata”, “Santero”, “Havana Club”, “Legendario”. It would be unforgivable not to bring a bottle of Cuban rum as a souvenir to a lover of alcoholic beverages.
There is also a special type of rum produced exclusively in Cuba. This tincture is called “Guayabita del Pinar”.
It can be dry and sweet. The dry version is stronger than its sweet counterpart. The latter is distinguished by the pleasant taste given to it by the fruits of the guayabita.
