I first learned about jaboticaba from The Fruit Hunter. It’s probably one of the most interesting, if not unusual fruit I’ve ever knew is in existence.
Brazil would be a fruit lovers dream destination as it’s known for it’s many variety of unique fruits, especially the Acai berries. Jaboticaba is probably loaded with vitamins just by looking at the dark purplish color of the skin.
This reminds me of modern art where someone decides to place each giant grape along the tree trunks. Image source: Wikipedia/Jabuticaba
According to the California Rare Fruit Growers, this fruit is from the same species as camu-camu. It can also be grown successfully from Florida to Hawaii. Some are also grown in southern California and also as far north as the San Jose and San Francisco Bay areas. The plant grows well as a container specimen.
The fruit is described as tasting very similar to Muscadine grapes. But the skin contains tannin so it makes your lips pucker. The real treat is probably the sweet flesh. It’s described as being delicious eaten out-of-hand. And it can be made into jellies, jams and wine.
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Living in my part of California, there are are endless rows of vineyards to be found in the out skirt of the city. They are the one plant that makes me feel right at home.
As for eating grapes, I don’t think I’m too fond of them. I think it’s because they never seem to taste the way I last remember them. It’s either too syrupy sweet (like cough medicine) or a bit tart.
Beautiful bunch clusters of Muscadine grapes. Photo from Apellation America.
But now I may think twice and start eating more grapes again. Clemson University researchers found various grape extracts and their compounds to be effective at inhibiting Helicobacter pylori, one of the leading causes of gastritis in humans. Basically, it’s good for your gut and digestive health.
H. pylori is often acquired by eating contaminated food and water. And also by person-to-person contact, it is linked with peptic ulcers and gastric cancer.
They’ve tested extracts from red, white, black and Muscadine grapes. The most beneficial grapes are the dark purple and black varieties. The researchers say, “grape extracts and their compounds were effective at inhibiting H. pylori in vitro, with highest efficacy by Muscadine grape skin extract.”
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