Brazilian Grape Tree
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| Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O.Berg | ||||||||||||||
The Jabuticaba (also called Brazilian Grape Tree, Jaboticaba, Jabotica, Guaperu, Guapuru, Hivapuru, Sabará and Ybapuru) is a fruit-bearing tree native to Brazil. The fruit is purplish black, with a white pulp; it can be eaten raw or be used to make jellies and drinks (plain juice or wine).
The fruit tree (named jabuticabeira in Portuguese) has red leaves when young, turning green posteriorly. Its flowers are white and grow directly from its trunk.
The jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O.Berg. [Myrtaceae]) is a small tree native to the Minas Gerais region near Rio de Janeiro in southern Brazil grown for the purple, grape-like fruits it produces. Traditionally, an astringent decoction of the sun-dried skins has been used as a treatment for hemoptysis, asthma, diarrhea, and gargled for chronic inflammation of the tonsils. The fruit is 3-4 cm in diameter with one to four large seeds, borne directly on the main trunks and branches of the plant, lending a distinctive appearance to the fruiting tree. It has a thick, purple, astringent skin that covers a sweet, white, gelatinous flesh. Common in Brazilian markets, jaboticabas are largely eaten fresh; their popularity has been likened to that of grapes in the US. Fresh fruit may begin to ferment 3 to 4 days after harvest, so they are often used to make jams, tarts, strong wines, and liqueurs.
Several potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory anti-cancer compounds have been isolated from the fruit.[1]
In Brazil the fruit of several species, namely M. jaboticaba (Vell.) O.Berg, M. tenella (DC.) O.Berg, and M. trunciflora O.Berg, share the same common name.
The name is derived from the Tupi word Jabuti (tortoise) + Caba (place), meaning the place where you find tortoises.
The fruit is used commercially. In The State of Hawaii, on the Big Island, the fruit is currently used by Volcano Winery[1]. Located in Volcano, south of Hilo near Volcano National Park, the winery produces award winning wines made with grapes and non-traditional fruits. The jaboticaba is currently used in the Volcano Red (%25), and Volcano Blush (%50)at Volcano Winery.
Heraldry
The tree appears as a charge in the arms of Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil.[2]
References
- ↑ Reynertson KA, Wallace AM, Adachi S, Gil RR, Yang H, Basile MJ, D'Armiento J, Weinstein IB, Kennelly EJ. Bioactive depsides and anthocyanins from jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora). J Nat Prod. 2006 Aug;69(8):1228-30 PMID 16933884 DOI: 10.1021/np0600999
External links
- Jaboticaba California Rare Fruit Growers
