Tamarillo is a fruit that is very similar to a tomato. Therefore, a plant that bears fruit with exotic wonders is called a tomato tree. The taste of this fruit is not familiar to everyone, but it is universal in its characteristics and surprisingly useful for everyone.
Tamarillo is a fruit, but looks similar to the usual tomato, eggplant or pepper.
Tamarillo: description (botanical)
The plant belongs to the nightshade family. Tsifomander beetroot is another name for this original representative of the plant world. It is an evergreen tree, reaching 2-3 meters in height. But it can not be called a full-fledged tree, it looks more like a bush. It has a brilliant hardwood cover. It has small inflorescences of a white-pink hue that exude a pleasant aroma.
The plant prefers a subtropical climate and pleasant warm weather. Argentina, Brazil - the most favorable areas for successful cultivation. The life span of the plant is approximately 15 years. Begins to bear fruit after the first year of life. Tamarillo is a fruit that cannot withstand even the lightest frosts.
The shape and color of ripe fruit
The fruit of the tomato tree has an ovoid shape and reaches a length of 10 cm. The berries grow in large clusters. Their number in one bunch can reach 12 pieces. The peel is distinguished by a variety of colors: it can be orange, red, yellow and muted purple. Under the thin skin is a delicate pulp that has a golden hue. When the fruit is cut inside, a lot of black seeds are found, neatly located along the core.
Origin of tamarillo, cultivated area
The exact place where tamarillo was first discovered is not officially known. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, America may well be the birthplace of fruit in view of its prevalence in these regions. It is grown in Venezuela, the mountainous regions of Costa Rica and others. The largest supplier and importer of tamarillo to the world market is New Zealand, which is actively engaged in production. Ripe fruits are harvested from June to August.
Types of Tamarillo
To date, science is aware of the existence of three main types of tamarillo fruit:
- Red. This option is beautiful in its original form. It has a harmonious taste, which is maximally revealed if it is raw. This species is most popular. It features a bright red skin and orange flesh. Seeds have a reddish tint. Due to the correct and beautiful arrangement of seeds, it is often used to decorate various culinary masterpieces. It can decorate even the most unprepossessing-looking dish with its rich color and pleasant aroma. For the first acquaintance with the fruits of an exotic plant, it is recommended to try red tamarillo. The fruit of this variety is considered classic and the most correct.
- Yellow. Would it be unusual to try a very sweet tomato? The fruits of the yellow tomato tree provide the opportunity to enjoy the mild taste and sweetness of the pulp. This tamarillo is smaller than red in size. In appearance and section, it is no different from ordinary tomatoes.
- Orange (golden). The fruits of orange tamarillo in their sweetness represent the middle version between red and yellow. An advantage over other species is the size of the fruit. The fleshy and juicy golden tamarillo is significantly larger than other species.
Calorie Tamarillo
The fashion for healthy eating is gaining momentum. So, tamarillo can be a good help in choosing a vitamin and low-calorie product. 100 grams of fruit contains only 31 calories. It can be used as a full meal, and also complement the main dish as a side dish.
Beneficial features
Tsifomander beetroot has an extremely rich vitamin and mineral composition. It contains a huge amount of substances that are necessary for the full functioning of the human body. Useful properties of the fruit:
- It can be used as a component of diet food due to its low calorie content. The use of tamarillo in the process of losing weight, as well as in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and diabetes, is welcome.
- Contains a small amount of carbohydrates, rich in dietary fiber.
- Potassium and sodium are important elements for a balanced diet. Tamarillo fruits are able to support the body with these substances.
- Contains vitamins: A, C, B 6 , thiamine, riboflavin.
- Golden and orange fruits are enriched with vitamin A to a greater extent than red fruits.
Contraindications
Tamarillo is recommended to use as a recovery agent after serious illness. The product has no contraindications, except for individual intolerance. Information on the healing properties of the fruit was not found, but it acts as an excellent source of essential trace elements for the body. Abundance of nutrients is the main reason for introducing this fruit into your diet.
How to eat tamarillo?
Many are interested: how to eat tamarillo? This is a very important point, since the process involves several interesting nuances. Firstly, the fruit has an inedible peel, so before you eat the fruit, you must remove it. The catch is that ripe tamarillo cannot be cleaned with a knife, because it has a very soft structure.
We are ready to tell you how to eat tamarillo:
- Option 1. Dip the fruit for half a minute in boiling water and carefully peel off the skin with your hands, as is done if you need to clean ordinary tomatoes.
- Option 2. You can simply cut the fruit into two parts and eat the pulp with a dessert spoon, as is done with ripe avocado.
How to choose tamarillo
In order not to be disappointed in a great product, you must choose it correctly. The perfect tamarillo is distinguished by the luster of the skin, has no defective formations and dents, the peduncle is present and is adjacent to the fruit. It is imperative to evaluate the product by touch. It should be soft, but elastic enough. If you press the surface of the fruit with your finger and release it sharply, it should return to its original shape. You should also pay attention to color. It should be pleasant and uniform.
Storage
Tamarillo can be kept in the refrigerator for 14 days. For long-term storage, freezing with preliminary peeling is recommended.
Recipes
Its taste resembles passion fruit, and its beautiful shape attracts aesthetically. Fruit can be an exotic highlight of cooking:
- Tamarillo puree is an excellent marinade for meat products.
- A fruit salad combined with regular tomatoes may surprise guests.
- An interesting fact: the fruit of a tomato tree is equally beautiful in both salty and sweet dishes. For this reason, it can be the main ingredient in a dessert menu.
- The product can be a component of smoothies for a healthy diet and weight loss.
- Decor from tamarillo fruits is a great option for the "final touch" in cooking.
- From the fruits of a tomato tree, a healthy and low-calorie jam is obtained.
Now you know what tamarillo is and how to use it correctly.