
What is jabuticaba?
It is a tropical or subtropical evergreen tree native to Brazil that produces thick-skinned purple fruits that resemble large grapes. Jabuticaba is one of the most popular native fruits in Brazil.
Where does the name jaboticaba come from?
Jaboticaba Tree Info. A popular fruit bearer in its native Brazil, jaboticaba’s name is derived from the Tupi term “jabotim,” which means “like turtle fat” in reference to its fruit pulp. In Brazil the tree thrives from sea level to about 3,000 feet in altitude.
What is the difference between a grape and a jaboticaba?
But unlike grapes, these little violet fruits wind up and around tree trunks, sometimes overtaking the tree completely. The jaboticaba tree is what’s known in the plant world as a cauliflory, meaning that its flowers and fruits grow directly out of its trunk.
What is a jabotica fruit tree?
Jabotica fruit trees are related to the Surinam Cherry, Java Plum, and Guava. Like the guava, the thin outer bark of the tree flakes off, leaving lighter colored patches.
See more

What does jaboticaba fruit taste like?
What do they taste like? Their taste and appearance is most often compared to the muscadine grape — and they're even nicknamed 'the Brazilian grape'. Jabuticaba berries are both sweet and acidic, with tough, tart skin and a pale, fleshy centre that's incredibly sweet.
Is jaboticaba good for you?
Jaboticaba is unique fruit blessed with a wealth of essential nutrients and known to possess anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant qualities. Potent anthocyanins found in the dark purple skin of the fruit lowers the risk of chronic diseases and optimises overall health and well-being.
How do you eat jabuticaba fruit?
Most jaboticaba fruit is eaten fresh but is also made into jellies, jams, and wine. An easy way to eat jaboticaba is to squeeze the ripe fruit between your thumb and forefinger until it pops free from the skin and into your mouth!
Is jaboticaba fruit edible?
Jaboticaba fruit is largely eaten fresh; its popularity has been likened to that of grapes in the United States. The fruit begins to ferment three to four days after harvest, so it is often used to make jams, tarts, strong wines and liqueurs.
Can you eat jaboticaba seeds?
Eat the skins and even the seeds as many Brazilians do. Let loose, put on the samba, eat your jaboticaba and enjoy.
How long does it take a Jaboticaba tree to fruit?
Be patient though; jaboticaba fruit trees may take up to eight years to fruit.
Can you eat the skin of Jabuticaba?
The skin of these spheres is edible but with a harsh, herbal flavor from its high tannin content. Harvesters may use the skin medicinally (to treat coughing up blood, dysentery, or asthma), but most will discard it.
Is jaboticaba poisonous to dogs?
Jaboticaba fruit or Jaboticaba fruit is okay for dogs to consume. It is a good source of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. But be cautious; peel off the fruit's skin since it contains a high level of tannin, which can cause toxicity in dogs.
Where does jaboticaba grow?
southeastern BrazilJaboticaba is native to southeastern Brazil and has been introduced to other warm regions, including western and southern North America. The fruits can be eaten raw and are commonly used to make wines and jellies.
How do you pronounce jaboticaba?
0:190:37How to Pronounce Jaboticaba - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIs how it said in Brazil. Is how you say it and now you know what more videos for you here to learnMoreIs how it said in Brazil. Is how you say it and now you know what more videos for you here to learn more correct pronunciations.
Is jaboticaba a grape?
0:223:23All About Jaboticaba, the tree grape from Brazil! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's also known as tree grape. And it's native to Brazil. In Brazil the ancient people there wereMoreIt's also known as tree grape. And it's native to Brazil. In Brazil the ancient people there were called 2 P. And the 2 P word for tortoise was jumuchi and the kaabah was their word for place. So this
How long do Jaboticaba trees live?
Lifespan: 150 years. Leaf retention: Evergreen. Growth rate: Slow. Mature Size: 10-30' high and as wide, but it usually does not exceed 15' in temperate regions.
Etymology
The name jabuticaba, derived from the Tupi word jaboti/jabuti (tortoise) + caba (place), meaning "the place where tortoises are found". The name has also been interpreted to mean 'like turtle fat', referring to the fruit's white pulp.
Description
The tree is a slow-growing evergreen that can reach a height of 15 meters if not pruned. The leaves are salmon-pink when young, turning green as they mature.
Production and cultivation
Jabuticaba has been cultivated in Brazil since pre-Columbian times. Today it is commercial crop in the center and south of the country.
Uses
Common in Brazilian markets, jabuticabas are largely eaten fresh. Fruit may begin to ferment 3 to 4 days after harvest, so it is often used to make jams, tarts, strong wines, and liqueurs. Due to the short shelf-life, fresh jabuticaba fruit is rare in markets outside areas of cultivation.
Cultural significance
The jabuticaba tree appears as a charge on the coat of arms of Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Related species
There are a number of similar species of plant in the family Myrtaceae that are known by the common name Jabuticaba.
What is a Jaboticaba Fruit Tree?
As mentioned, the jaboticaba fruit tree bears its fruit along old growth branches and trunks rather than along new growth as in most other fruit trees. The 1-4 inch long leaves of the jaboticaba begin as salmon colored when young and, upon maturity, deepen into a dark green. The young foliage and branchlets are lightly haired.
Jaboticaba Tree Info
A popular fruit bearer in its native Brazil, jaboticaba’s name is derived from the Tupi term “jabotim,” which means “like turtle fat” in reference to its fruit pulp. In Brazil the tree thrives from sea level to about 3,000 feet in altitude.
How to Grow Jaboticaba Fruit Trees
Intrigued? The question is how to grow a jaboticaba tree. Although jaboticabas are not self-sterile, they do better when planted in groups.
Jaboticaba Tree Care
A slow growing tree, jaboticaba requires medium to high sun exposure and will thrive in a wide range of soil mediums. In high pH soils, however, additional fertilization should be applied. In general, feed the tree three times a year with a complete fertilizer. Additional jaboticaba tree care may be needed for iron deficiencies.
Current Facts
Jabuticaba, or Jaboticaba, may also be referred to as Brazilian grape tree and is botanically classified as Plinia cauliflora and a member of the Myrtaceae family. It is a tropical or subtropical evergreen tree native to Brazil that produces thick-skinned purple fruits that resemble large grapes.
Nutritional Value
In Brazil, Jaboticaba fruit is one of the richest native sources of antioxidants, specifically of anthocyanins with most of them being located in the skin of the fruit.
Applications
In its native home of Brazil, Jaboticaba is popularly eaten fresh out of hand simply by squeezing the flesh out of the fruit’s skin using the thumb and forefinger. Jaboticaba can be used to make jams, marmalades, and other preserves. It is also popularly squeezed to make a fresh juice or fermented to make wine and liqueurs.
Plant Description
Jaboticaba is a tropical, evergreen shrub or small, much branched, ornamental tree. It is a slow growing tree that normally reaches a height of usually about 5-13 m and trunk diameter of up to 20 cm. The crown is rounding, symmetrical, dense, and wide.
Health benefits of Jaboticaba
Jaboticaba is used for the treatment for hemoptysis, asthma, diarrhea and dysentery also as a gargle for chronic inflammation of the tonsils are by the caustic decoction of the sun-dry skins is agreed in Brazil. Such use of fruit also may lead to excessive consumption of tannin.
Culinary Uses
It is high in Vitamin C and can be eaten raw or processed first into sweets or fermented into wine.
Precautions
Attention should be given to excessive consumption of this decoction, which could lead to too much tannin in the body, which is carcinogenic if taken over a long period of time.
DISCLAIMER
The content and the information in this website are for informational and educational purposes only, not as a medical manual. All readers are urged to consult with a physician before beginning or discontinuing use of any prescription drug or under taking any form of self-treatment.
What is this fruit
Jaboticaba, or as it is also called - jabotababo, belongs to the Mirtov family. This is a fruit crop, which in its appearance and taste is somewhat reminiscent of grapes. However, jabotababa berries are distinguished by a more delicate, slightly bitter notes due to the large amount of tannin contained in them.
What is the use of jaboticaba
Brazilian grapes are extremely beneficial to the body. It contains a huge amount of various vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Jaboticaba fruits have long been used in the treatment of sore throat, asthma, dysentery and diarrhea. It is a great source of antioxidants.
Which may be harmful
First of all, it is necessary to note a possible allergic reaction to the berries of Brazilian grapes, which, as a rule, is accompanied by headaches, characteristic rashes on the body and muscle cramps. The peel of jabotababa fruits also contains a large amount of toxins.
How to eat jabotababa
If you still decide to try this exotic fruit, it is worth remembering that they eat it, mostly fresh. To do this, gently bite the shell and squeeze the pulp into the mouth.
What can be cooked from jaboticaba
In general, jaboticaba is very popular in cooking, there are many different recipes using this exotic fruit. Berries are used to make jellies, sauces, preserves and marmalades, as well as delicious liquors and soft drinks. Here are some useful and at the same time delicious recipes for jabotababa dishes.
Application in traditional medicine
Among other things, jabotababa is widely used in traditional medicine. From the skin of berries of Brazilian grapes make a useful decoction that helps in the fight against diarrhea and asthma.
How to grow
As mentioned above, jabotikabu is grown mainly in tropical regions, with a warm temperate climate. This fruit crop does not tolerate even short-term small frosts. But thanks to its decorativeness, more and more often small trees of Brazilian grapes appear indoors.

Overview
Related species
There are a number of similar species of plant in the family Myrtaceae that produce fruit that is known by the common name Jabuticaba.
• Myrciaria glazioviana (jabuticaba amarela or yellow jabuticaba)
• Myrciaria tenella (jabuticaba macia or soft jabuticaba)
Etymology
The name jabuticaba, derived from the Tupi word jaboti/jabuti (tortoise) + caba (place), meaning "the place where tortoises are found". The name has also been interpreted to mean 'like turtle fat', referring to the fruit's white pulp.
The Guarani name is yvapurũ: yva means fruit and the onomatopoeic word purũ, from pururũ, describes the crunching sound the fruit produces when bitten.
Description
The tree is a slow-growing evergreen that can reach a height of 15 meters if not pruned. The leaves are salmon-pink when young, turning green as they mature.
The tree prefers moist, rich, lightly acidic soil. It is widely adaptable, however, and grows satisfactorily even on alkaline beach-sand type soils, so long as it is tended and irrigated. Its flowers are white and grow directly from its trunk in a c…
Production and cultivation
Jabuticaba has been cultivated in Brazil since pre-Columbian times. Today it is commercial crop in the center and south of the country.
Commercial cultivation of the fruit in the northern hemisphere is more restricted by slow growth and the short shelf-life of fruit than by temperature requirements. Grafted plants may bear fruit in five years, while seed-grown trees may take 10 to 20 years to bear fruit.
Uses
Common in Brazilian markets, jabuticabas are largely eaten fresh. Fruit may begin to ferment 3 to 4 days after harvest, so it is often used to make jams, tarts, strong wines, and liqueurs. Due to the short shelf-life, fresh jabuticaba is rare in markets outside areas of cultivation.
The fruit has been compared to Muscadine grapes, and in Japan the flavor of ja…
Cultural significance
The jabuticabeira appears as a charge on the coat of arms of Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
In Brazilian politics, and less commonly in everyday speak, "jabuticaba" is a slang that describes a political or legal setting that is considered absurd, unusual, or needlessly complex, among others, that could only exist in a country like Brazil. It is a reference to the popular wisdom that jabuticaba trees can only grow in Brazil.
External links
• Jaboticaba California Rare Fruit Growers.
Appearance
Characteristics
- Its flowers are a subtle white, resulting in dark, cherry-like fruit that can be eaten right off the tree or made into preserves or wine. Fruit may be borne either singly or in dense clusters and is initially green, becoming dark purple to almost black when ripe and approximately one inch in diameter. The edible berry is composed of a whitish, jelly-like pulp containing one to four flat, oval seeds. T…
Uses
- The tree flowers intermittently throughout the year and is an evergreen, often used as a specimen tree, edible fruit tree, shrub, hedge or even as a bonsai.
Etymology
- A popular fruit bearer in its native Brazil, jaboticabas name is derived from the Tupi term jabotim, which means like turtle fat in reference to its fruit pulp. In Brazil the tree thrives from sea level to about 3,000 feet in altitude.
Cultivation
- Intrigued? The question is how to grow a jaboticaba tree. Although jaboticabas are not self-sterile, they do better when planted in groups. Propagation is usually from seed, although grafting, root cuttings and air layering are successful as well. The seeds take about 30 days to germinate at an average temp of 75 degrees F. (23 C). The tree can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b-…
Reproduction
- Although fruiting occurs throughout the year, the largest yields are in late March and April with hundreds of fruit per mature tree. In fact, a mature tree may produce 100 pounds of fruit in the course of the season. Be patient though; jaboticaba fruit trees may take up to eight years to fruit.