In this fruit review, you will learn all about the Tamarillo, also known as the “Tree Tomato.” I will cover where it comes from and grows, its health benefits, how to eat it, and what it tastes like. It is always amazing discovering and learning about, and tasting new fruits. Let’s dive into the world of the Tamarillo!
Where does the Tamarillo come from and grow?
Theย tamarilloย (Solanum betaceum) is a tree or shrub that is part of the nightshade family. It is native to the Andes of South America, places like Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Now cultivated in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, New Zealand, and other subtropical areas worldwide, like parts of Africa, Nepal, Hong Kong, China, Australia, India, and the United States, particularly Florida. It has been known to grow in Texas and California. They can also be grown in Arizona. The fruit it bears is also called a tamarillo.
Tamarillo trees itself don’t grow incredibly large, it is a small tree between 10ft and 18ft high. It is a fast-growing tree and is evergreen. It can be grown in containers as well and trimmed or pruned to the size of a shrub instead of a taller tree.
Health Benefits
The tree tomatoes are loaded with nutritional benefits, some of which are listed below:
- It may help reduce heart disease
- High in potassium
- Supports eye health with high amounts of Vitamin A
- High in Vitamin C
- High in B-complex vitamins, which help boost metabolism.
More health benefits can be found at Nutrition and You.
How to eat the Tamarillo?
Tamarillo fruits are ripe when there is no green on them and the skin is yellowish orange to deep red and sometimes purple, depending on the variety. There will also be a slight give when pressed with fingers.
Make sure to rinse them first. To eat them, just slice them in half and then use a spoon to scoop out the inside. While the skin is edible, it is bitter and just not appetizing. They are eaten plain for a snack and are used in chutney, mixed into sauces, made into a dessert topping, put into juices, baked, and pickled.
What does the Tamarillo taste like?
So what does this exotic fruit taste like? It is a very juicy fruit with flavors that range from a mix of sweet, tangy, tart, and kind of like a cross between a tomato, passion fruit, and guava, with a bit of kiwi in there. Others describe it as a cross between a tomato and a blackberry.
There you go, I hope you enjoyed learning about this awesome fruit!
Watch the fruit video I made about it here:
