Also called pumpkin cherry or pitanga. An evergreen shrub 10' in height. In spring and again in fall the Surinam cherry bears small, round fruits with eight prominent ribs. These are usually red, but are best enjoyed fresh almost black. The sweet, juicy flesh is considered refreshing by some and an acquired taste by others, due to its resinous flavor. They are juicy and aromatic. Use them for making an excellent jelly also. A member of the Myrtaceae family, the plant is related to guava, jaboticaba, mountain apple, and other members of the genus Eugenia, which includes more than 30 edible species.
NUTRITION: They are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and iodine. Surinam cherry also has substantial amounts of the antioxidants lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, gamma-carotene, and rubixanthin. ✨
