{"id":499,"date":"2022-09-23T20:01:13","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T20:01:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=499"},"modified":"2025-08-03T22:34:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T22:34:04","slug":"tamarillo","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/tamarillo\/","title":{"rendered":"Tamarillo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Botanical Name:<\/strong> Solanum betaceum<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Tree tomato, Blood fruit, Sachatomate, Berenjena, Chilto<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum<\/i>) is a fast-growing but short-lived perennial tree<\/b> \u2013 most plants live about 5\u20137 years, though you can stretch that with good care. It grows to around 2\u20134 metres<\/b>, with soft, slightly furry leaves and clusters of small, fragrant pinkish-white flowers that turn into fruit over many months.<\/p>\r\n

Climate:<\/b> Best in subtropical regions<\/b>, but it will grow in tropical areas<\/b> if protected from too much wet and in temperate zones<\/b> if frost isn\u2019t severe.
Sun:<\/b> Loves full sun<\/b> for best fruiting, but will tolerate partial shade<\/b> (just expect fewer fruits).
Soil & water:<\/b> Tamarillo thrives in rich, well-drained soil<\/b>. It hates \u201cwet feet,\u201d so avoid boggy spots, but keep water up during fruiting \u2013 dry spells make fruit drop.
Season:<\/b> Plant in spring or early summer<\/b> when the soil is warm and frost danger has passed.
Propagation:<\/b> Super easy from fresh seed<\/b> (scoop from ripe fruit, rinse, and sow) or from tip cuttings<\/b> taken in warm months \u2013 the cuttings strike readily.
Pots:<\/b> Perfect for a large pot or half wine barrel<\/b> \u2013 especially in cooler areas, as you can shift it to shelter in winter.<\/p>\r\n

Tip:<\/b> Tamarillo doesn\u2019t like wind, so tuck it behind a hedge, fence, or shed. Mulch heavily \u2013 it\u2019s a shallow-rooted tree and mulch keeps roots cool and happy.

<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Tamarillo isn\u2019t just a quirky fruit \u2013 it\u2019s seriously nutritious<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • Extremely high in Vitamin C<\/b> \u2013 one fruit can cover more than half your daily needs (immune system gold).<\/li>\r\n
  • Good levels of Vitamin A<\/b> (great for eyesight & skin) and Vitamin E<\/b> (an antioxidant for cell health).<\/li>\r\n
  • Contains iron<\/b> (good for energy and blood health) and a nice dose of B vitamins<\/b>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Tamarillo is very low in calories<\/b> and high in fibre<\/b>, making it a favourite for dieters. In traditional medicine across South America, Tamarillo has been used for digestive support, blood sugar balance, and heart health<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

    Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    Andean Tamarillo tonic:<\/strong> Tamarillo pulp blended with honey for coughs & colds.
    Warm Tamarillo compress:<\/strong> Fruit pulp applied to swollen joints<\/strong>.
    Leaf infusion (rare)<\/strong>: Used in folk remedies for liver health<\/strong>.

    <\/p>\r\n

    Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    Tamarillo fruit ranges from sweet (yellow & orange varieties)<\/b> to tangy & tart (red varieties)<\/b>. The skin is bitter \u2013 always peel or scoop the flesh<\/b> before eating.<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
    • Fresh:<\/b> Cut in half and scoop the juicy flesh with a spoon \u2013 nature\u2019s snack!<\/li>\r\n
    • Cooked:<\/b> The tangy flavour deepens and sweetens, perfect for jams, chutneys, and salsas.<\/li>\r\n
    • Texture & taste:<\/b> Think somewhere between tomato, kiwi, and passionfruit \u2013 with a slight tropical zing.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Storage tip:<\/b> Keep fruit at room temperature<\/b> until ripe, then refrigerate for up to a week. Tamarillo pulp also freezes beautifully<\/b> for smoothies or cooking.<\/p>\r\n

      Simple recipe ideas<\/b><\/p>\r\n

      – Tamarillo Breakfast Bowl:<\/b> Scoop fruit over yogurt with a drizzle of honey and some granola.
      – Roasted Tamarillo Relish:<\/b> Roast halved tamarillos with onion and garlic, then blend into a tangy relish for meats.
      – Spicy Tamarillo Salsa:<\/b> Dice tamarillo with onion, coriander, lime, and chilli for a vibrant salsa.
      – Tamarillo Chutney:<\/b> Cook tamarillos with vinegar, ginger, and sugar for a sweet-and-sour chutney.
      – Tamarillo Smoothie:<\/b> Blend the pulp with banana, mango, and coconut water for a tropical drink.

      <\/p>\r\n

      Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n
      • Container star:<\/b> Its compact root system makes Tamarillo perfect for pots and urban gardens.<\/li>\r\n
      • Bird feeder:<\/b> The bright fruit attracts birds (though you might need to net plants if you want fruit for yourself!).<\/li>\r\n
      • Soil helper:<\/b> The heavy leaf drop and shallow roots make for good mulch under the tree.

        <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Why it\u2019s a survival plant:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        Tamarillo produces fruit quickly<\/b> (often within 18 months), has a long harvest window<\/b>, and thrives with minimal fuss. It\u2019s a steady source of vitamins and flavour<\/b> for the survival garden \u2013 and it looks gorgeous while doing it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

         <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Tamarillo, also called the tree tomato<\/b>, is a quick-growing small tree that produces egg-shaped fruits in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Its long harvest window, high nutrition, and easy care make it a brilliant survival fruit<\/b> for warm-climate gardens.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":501,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[33,40,42],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-499","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-uncategorized","7":"product_cat-high-nutrition-plants","8":"product_cat-pot-and-container-plants","10":"first","11":"instock","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t