Have a look at that unassuming tree in the middle of the photo. There is nothing special about it is there? Of course there isn't!
Now...let's get a little closer. Hmmm, just some nice green leafy foliage. Nothing special about that! Well, that is where 'nothing special' finishes!!!! Let's lift up those hanging branches....
...and would you believe it, there are what look like black grapes growing on the tree trunk!
There are hundreds of them and there probably would be more if the tree was watered as apparently it does like more water than it would have been given this year. Apparently the birds like the fruit so it will be a bit of a race to pick the fruit before the birds get to it.
It is said to have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
From flowers to ready-to-eat fruit is only 30 days and the tree can fruit up to three times a year although I believe ours only fruits twice a year. Another smaller tree has sprung up beside the old one so I am looking forward to seeing what the flowers look like as I have seen some photos of them and they look fantastic.
Well known gardener, Annette McFarlane makes Jaboticaba jam out of the fruit. Mariana from Through My Kitchen Window makes Jaboticaba jelly and I believe others make wine out of the fruit.
As I had never heard of or seen the fruit before it is another learning curve for me so I will do a bit more research and see what other recipes can be made with Jaboticaba.
If you would like to see a video about Jaboticaba check out this one from Daley's Fruit Nursery and let me know what you think of the fruit. It looks very alien growing up the tree trunk, doesn't it?
Don't forget about my 1st blog anniversary giveaway! If you would like to win an Australian wildlife book you just have to leave a comment after this post and you will be in the draw. Please note that if you don't live in Australia there will be a special draw for you so just mention that you are from overseas so that you go in the correct draw. The giveaway closes on June 15th!
Bizarre indeed!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, Barb. I have never seen anything like it.
DeleteI only just discovered them recently too, and since then my daughter bought me one so I am hoping it will grow well. Love the fruit, tends to disappear in the jam but the flavour is awesome! Everyone says the wine is the best :) You are so lucky to have this Nanna Chel :)
ReplyDeleteTanya, I am tossing up whether to make some jelly but we aren't keen on using so much sugar. I'd better make up my mind soon as the fruit has a very short shelf life.
DeleteAmazing and so very interesting to read about Australian nature's wonders.
ReplyDeleteYou describe things in a very tasty and enjoyable way.
Cheers from 'apple-cheese-and-tulip' country :>)
Jeanneke.
Jeanneke, it is actually native to Brazil so I am not sure how it can grow here in our cool temperate region on top of a mountain range and subject to frosts but it seems to cope with our winters all right. It is certainly an amazing tree. I love your tulips over there!
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