Did you know that the that flowers and fruit grow directly from the trunks and large branches of the Jaboticaba (JA-bu-gee-KA-bah) tree rather than from the stems?
The fruit has a round shape, turns from bright green when immature to dark purple when fully ripe and has a tannic and resinous flavour. Within the skin is a pulpy, translucent white to rosy pink flesh surrounding one to five round and flat, light brown seeds.
This popular fruit, native to Brazil, contains calcium, phosphorus and iron. It’s rich in vitamin C, making it an antioxidant powerhouse. Jaboticaba also contains B-complex vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin and thiamin, and is packed with amino acids that are essential to our health.
Jaboticaba is anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants. Antioxidants help your body fight free radicals and at the same time, promotes the cells regeneration to prevent premature aging.
Another health benefit of jaboticaba is found in its rich mineral content that is essential for detoxing the body. Your body requires detoxification regularly and consuming jaboticaba will help your body do this naturally.
In South America, jaboticaba is commonly used as a remedy for sore throats. When the juice is squeezed from the fruit and mixed with warm water, jaboticaba has a soothing effect on raw and sore throats.
Jaboticaba contains active compounds that could help open up the bronchial airways which is beneficial for asthma patients.
Enjoy eating jaboticaba out of hand, simply by squeezing the flesh out of the fruit’s skin using the thumb and forefinger.
Learn to grow your own by reading this week’s ‘Today’s Harvest’ post on The Brasserie’s Facebook page, otherwise enjoy our harvested jaboticaba on The Brasserie menu.
