FRUIT FOR THOUGHT: The Brazilian Grape Tree

Image source


Image source


Image source


Image source

The Jabuticaba, also known as the Brazilian Grape Tree is a unique fruit-bearing tree native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. The tree has purple fruit similar to plums that develops, not at the end of smaller branches, but straight from the trunk of the tree, a truly peculiar sight. Each fruit is about 3-4 cm in diameter, contains four seeds and has sweet rose-coloured flesh. Because the fruit ferment quickly – about three to four days after being picked – it is most often eaten raw, but is also used for making liqueurs, strong wines, baked products and jams.

The tree has evolved its unique fruit-bearing manner to enable animals that can’t climb trees, to access the succulent fruit. In return it ensures that the seeds get scattered via animal droppings over a wide stretch of forest. The fruit are known to have various medicinal uses such as aiding in the treatment of tonsillitis, asthma and diarrhea, compounds of the fruits are also used in the battle against cancer. The Brazilian Grape Tree is yet another example of how beautifully quirky mother nature can be, and how much we still have to learn.