Surinamese Cherry

The Surinam cherry or Pitanga is a tropical plant, which therefore feels perfectly at home indoors with us and outdoors in summer. The small white flowers are already an ornament and are rewarded with elegant fruits after pollination. The vitamin C-rich fruits are ripe and measure approximately 2x3 cm, with seven to ten thick ribs. The fruits ripen from green, yellow, and orange to red and dark purple. The red, soft pulp is sour or sweet-sour, aromatic in taste with a slightly resinous, slightly bitter aftertaste. The fruits contain one to three seeds. They can be eaten fresh or processed into jam and jelly. It is better to remove the pits. Fruiting occurs after a few years. The plants are also often planted for ornamental purposes and are very well suited for forming a bonsai. The Surinam cherry originates from South America, from the north in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana to the south in Brazil and Uruguay. The species is cultivated worldwide in the (sub)tropics. Other species from the same genus with edible fruits are the Pitomba (Eugenia luschnathiana) and the Arazá (Erugania stipitata).
A customer wrote to us: A few years ago, I received a Surinam cherry as a gift, from your shop. Attached is a photo of the "little tree". I have already eaten the fruit (and many more are ripening), it was wonderfully sweet. Perhaps it's nice to know that even a tropical plant can thrive on a Dutch windowsill. Sincerely, Marja.

Names:
Latin: Eugenia uniflora
Dutch: Surinaamse Kers
Also: Pitanga
English: Surinam Cherry, Brazilian Cherry, Cayenne Cherry