Brazilian Cherries: Brazilian Cherry tree is a native fruit tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family, with ample adaptation to the different edaphoclimatic conditions of Brazil, which makes this fruit widely known. However, there are still few commercial orchards, which may soon be reversed, since studies have shown the benefits of the consumption of this fruit for human health, as well as the potentialities for industrial processing.
Brazilian Cherries are small fruits, averaging 2 to 4 centimeters in diameter, and have an ovate to round, slightly flattened appearance. Each fruit is deeply ribbed, showcasing 7 to 8 vertical ridges, and the skin is thin, smooth, delicate, and glossy. The fruit’s surface will transition from hues of green, orange, red, to red-blue and crimson when ripe, depending on the variety. It is important to note that Brazilian Cherries should only be consumed when mature.
Unripe fruits will have an unpalatable and unpleasant, sour and bitter flavor. Underneath the skin, the flesh is orange-red, aqueous, soft, and sticky, encasing 1 to 3 flat seeds that should be discarded. When ripe, Brazilian Cherries will be soft to the touch and detach easily from the stem. The fruits will have a sweet-tart, acidic flavor with mild, earthy, and subtly bitter nuances, sometimes reminiscent of the vegetal earthiness found in green bell peppers. Brazilian Cherries have an unusual, often polarizing flavor, with some consumers appreciating the flavor, while others find it an acquired taste.
The fruit itself is initially green, and as it ripens turns to a true strawberry (or tomato) red. Fruit need to ripen completely on the tree or it tends to be very tart.
Flowers |
Flowers are white and lightly fragrant. Calyx (the outermost layer of the flower) is divided into 4 oval-shaped lobes and bent backwards. Each flower has 50-60 white stamens with light yellow anthers. |
Fruits |
Bright red or maroon-purple to black fruits are shaped like miniature pumpkins with 7-8 ribs (2-4 cm wide). The juicy fruit is thin-skinned, acidic to sweet and slightly bitter. The bright red variety is more common than the darker-coloured variety. They contain either 1 round seed or 2-3 flattened seeds. |
Cultivation |
This plant grows well in most types of soil, but it prefers consistently moist soils. It begins to fruit from 2 years, but some take 5-6 years to fruit. They will produce more fruits when they are not pruned and fed with a balanced fertilizer 4 times a year. |
Sunlight |
For the best fruit yields, plant Brazilian cherries in full sun with at least 12 hours of bright sunlight whenever possible. |
Fertilizer |
Fertilize at the same time that you are watering with a time release 8-3-9 fertilizer during the growing season. |
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