Tamarillo. Solanum betaceum is a small tree or shrub in the flowering plant family Solanaceae. It is best known as the species that bears the tamarillo, an egg-shaped edible fruit. It is also known as the tree tomato, or tamamoro.
What is a tree tomato called?
The Tree Tomato – or tomato tree, or Tamarillo as it is also known – is not a tomato at all, but its egg-shaped red fruits are reminiscent of the tomatoes that we know and love. Tamarilloes are generally used in sweet dishes – although they can just as easily be used in savoury dishes too.
What is another name for the tamarillo?
It is also known as the tree tomato, tomate de árbol, tomate andino, tomate serrano, blood fruit, tomate de yuca, tomate de españa, sachatomate, berenjena, chilto and tamamoro in South America, and terong Belanda (Dutch eggplant) in Indonesia.
What is tree tomato fruit?
What is Tree-tomato? Juicy, sweet and citric, Tree-tomato is a small oval-shaped fruit. Also known as Tamarillo tree tomatoes are thought to have originated in the semitropical high-altitude Andes forest of Brazil and Peru. Tree-tomato, also known as “Tree Tomato”, is now cultivated in many parts of the world.
What does tree tomato taste like?
Inside the flesh is orange, with small dark, edible seeds. The tree tomato has an intense flavour with a hint of sweetness. You can eat the skin, but it has a very bitter taste.
Are tree tomatoes edible?
While the fruits of growing tree tomatoes are edible and vary between trees, they are much more bitter tasting than your average tomato. The skin is also tougher, with colors varying among the different varieties from yellow to red or even purple.
Are tamarillos good for you?
Health Benefits
Tamarillos are pleasingly low in calories. They have a substantial amount of dietary fibre (one will give you about nine percent of your daily intake), and contain decent amounts of potassium, vitamins A, C, E and pro-vitamin A, along with antioxidants.
What do you do with tree tomatoes?
The fruit contains small, tender, edible seeds (similar to a tomato) and can be eaten fresh, although the peel is usually avoided. Tamarillo is used in chutney, mixed into sauces, made into a dessert topping, pressed into juices, baked, and pickled.
Is tamarillo good for diabetics?
Tamarillo also reduces the level of blood sugar, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. Tree tomatoes are also rich in vitamins and mineral salts. They also contain iron and potassium.
How long does tree tomatoes take to mature?
Peak production is reached after 3-6 years depending on the cultivar, and the life expectancy of the crop is about 12 years. There are various tree tomato varieties which are mostly distinguished by their color. Red fruits variety– mostly used for fresh market fruit due to their appealing color.
Is tamarillo a tomato?
Tamarillos are also known as tree tomatoes. This nickname is no coincidence: its red colour and oval shape are reminiscent of a tomato. Both are also part of the same crop family, originally from the Andes Mountains. This makes the tamarillo technically a fruiting vegetable.
What are the benefits of tree tomatoes?
Tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea) is appreciated for its excellent nutritional qualities, being considered a good source of antioxidants compounds, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron, sugars, organic acids, pectins and flavonoids.
Can you grow tamarillo in pots?
How to grow Tamarillos in a pot. Choose a pot at least 600mm wide. Position pot in full sun with protection from winds. Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
How can you tell when a tamarillo is ripe?
Quality and ripeness
Once ripe, tamarillos feels soft. Unripe specimens are orange-yellow, once ripened the fruit turns red-brown. Unripe fruits can complete their ripening process at room temperature.
Can you eat the skin of tamarillo?
Also known as a tree tomato, this subtropical fruit ranges in colour from purple to yellow. The skin is inedible but the tangy, tart flesh is delicious.
How do you store Tamarillo?
To store tamarillos, refrigerate for up to two weeks or they will keep in your fruit bowl for about one week. They can easily be frozen – either whole (remove the skins first) or pureed.
How long do tamarillos take to fruit?
The plants grow from seed to about 2m tall, long and leggy, and only fruit after they have formed 21 branches, usually after Year 2.
Is tamarillo a Superfood?
It has a good source of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin. Other nutrients in tamarillo are carbohydrates, protein, fat, calcium, potassium and sodium (2) (3). It also contains minerals such as, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron.
Can you cook tree tomatoes?
Bring a kettle of water to the boil. Cut a small cross at the bottom of the tree tomato and place inside a heatproof bowl. Pour the boiling water over the tree tomato until fully submerged. Leave it for 3-4 minutes.
Do you eat the seeds of a tamarillo?
Don’t discard the seeds. They are also edible and are very similar to tomato seeds. The juices from the tamarillo will stain clothing, so be careful when scooping out the pulp.
Do tamarillo trees lose their leaves?
Tamarillo tolerate light frosts once established, but will drop leaves in winter if temperatures drop, it should recover once temperatures warm up.