Nicknamed as the ‘Brazilian grapefruit,’ Jabuticaba also spelled as Jaboticaba, is a tree that bears fruit on its trunks, making it one of the rarest and strangest trees known to man. Jabuticaba is native to Brazil and is a member of the Myrtaceae family.
It is a slow-growing tree that can grow up to 12-15 metres in height (35-40 ft.). The fruit is a thick-skinned berry with a luscious purple colour with a diameter of 3–4 cm. The fruit resembles a slip-skinned grape.
The interior portion of the fruit is a lovely soft plump pink or white fruit. Each fruit has 3-4 seeds embedded in the pulpy inside. These berries’ fleshy section is extremely tasty. Jabuticaba can be consumed with or without the skin, however removing the skin lessens the tannin content.
The fruit flowers straight out of the tree’s bark and trunks when it’s fully in season, giving it the appearance of purple warts or pimples.
The legend behind the name
The name Jabuticaba has been derived from the Tupi word (which is a Brazilian traditional language) ‘jabuti’ which means tortoise and ‘caba’ meaning place. Which sums up the meaning as ‘the place where tortoises are found’.
Furthermore, it is thought that these trees evolved in this way so that animals that can’t climb very high can obtain the fruit, consume it, and then eject the seeds away from the parent tree, allowing the species to spread.
Health benefits
These exotic superfruits are nutrient-dense and a carrier of several health advantages.
The fruit of the jabuticaba has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system and aids in the easing of asthma symptoms. Jaboticaba has active compounds that may help open clogged bronchial airways, which is useful for asthma sufferers.
However, further research has to be conducted to back this up. These fruits are low-calorie, low-carbohydrate and high in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Those are effective weight-loss combinations. They are also beneficial to digestion due to their high fibre, iron, and phosphorus content. Furthermore, they are useful for naturally treating diarrhoea, as eating the Jaboticaba together with its skin helps to tone down bowel movements.
These fruits are highly prized for their potent cancer-fighting properties. Jabuticaba is high in anthocyanins, which can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, anthocyanins are responsible for the deep purple colour.
The antioxidants found in Jabuticaba fruits aid in the prevention of cell damage. It slows down the ageing process by avoiding wrinkles, dark spots, and fine lines, all of which are caused by damaged cells.
Furthermore, due to their high protein and vitamin content, these fruits can help promote healthy and glossy hair growth while also preventing hair loss.
What makes them rare
These trees are indigenous to the Southeastern parts of Brazil. Native to the states of Rio De Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Goias and Sao Paulo.
Only a subtropical climate and rich, well-drained soil are suitable for the Jabuticaba tree. After being planted, the tree could take anywhere from six to eight years to bear fruit. They also have a short shelf life of roughly 4-5 days after harvesting, making the fresh Jabuticaba extremely rare and difficult to export outside of farming zones.
Jaboticaba can be used to make jams, jellies, and other preserves. They are widely filtered to make fresh juice or used to make wine, liquor, and cordial, in addition to manufacturing traditional Jabuticaba jelly.
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