Most people wouldn’t be able to recognize the Jaboticaba on sight. Most wouldn’t even know what the word means. However, this unusual tree is much-beloved in the permaculture community for many reasons. The small space needed to grow the Jaboticaba, their ease of care, pest resilience and compact growth make them an easy pick for anyone trying to incorporate more edible, unusual and hardy plants into the start of their food forest.
Covered in massive quantities of purple fruit, about the size of a marble or a little larger, all along the trunk and branches during harvest season, this Brazilian tropical tree’s delicious produce is rarely found in other regions of the world. However, certain areas of both Australia and the southern United States (such as Florida) have caught on to its appeal. Likened to a grape, the fruit is said to be more vibrant and potent in flavor, with its sweet taste intensifying the longer it’s left on the tree. The flesh is white and seeded. The candy-like flavor makes it a popular ingredient when making jams and jellies, desserts and even liquer. After harvest, the fruit can be kept dried or frozen (though it doesn’t last long by itself – only about four days – which is why it’s typically only available fresh from the tree and never in the store). The intrigue alone is enough reason for some green thumbs to give it a go