Jabuticaba

  Scientific Classification:

   Kingdom    :  Plantae
   (unmarked) :  Angiosperms
    (unmarked) :  Eudicots
  (unmarked)  :   Rosids
  Order           :   Myrtales
  Family         :   Myrtaceae
  Genus          :   Plinia
   Species       :   P. caulifora

                                                                               Bionomial Name:

                                 Plinia Cauliflora

     Plinia caulifora, the brazilian grapetree , or jabuticaba , is a tree in the family Myrtaceae, native to Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo states in Brazil. Related species in the genus Myrciaria, often refered by the same common names, are native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru Bolivia. The tree is grown for its purplish - black , white - pulped fruits ; they can be eaten raw or be used to make jellies, juice or wine.

Tree Information:
 

                                     A popular fruit bearer in its native Brazil, jabuticaba's name is derived from the Tupi term "Jabotin" which means " like turtle fat" in reference to its pulp. In Brazil the tree thrives from sea level to about 3,000 feet in altitued.

                                                                 Additional jabuticaba tree info tells us that the specimen is a slow growing tree or shrub that reaches heights of between 10 and 45 feet. They are frost intolerant and sensitive to salinity . Jabuticaba fruit trees are related to the Surinam cherry, Java Plum, and guava. Like the guava , the thin outer bark of the tree flakes off, leaning lighter colored patches.

Benefits:

1. Jabuticaba is used for the treatment for hemoptysis, asthma, diarrhea and dysentary also as a gargle for chronic inflammation of the tonsils are by the caustic decoration of the sun-dry skins is agreed in Brazil, Such use of fruit also may lead to exercise consumption of tannin. 
2. The fruit of jabuticaba contain compounds similar to known to have positive biological effects in cranberries, grapes and other related species, including anti-aging anti- inflammatory and the antioxidant qualities.
3. Jabuticaba fruit makes a wonderfull jelly and one of the best cheesecakes you will ever have.
4. Jabuticaba fruit is anti - inflammatory and full of great antioxidants.
5. Jabuticaba has a strong detoxification effect on the liver, helping in the process of toxin elimination.
6. It would appear that jabuticaba helps open  bronchi, airway passages taking air into the lungs.
7. New studies are being done on the effectiveness of jabuticaba for fighting cancer because it contains many anticancer compounds.

Storage:

                        Trials to extend storage life of jabuticaba fruits were done with fully ripe and unripe fruits . These included storing 6,12 and 24 degree C with or without waxing using " brogdex tomato wax" or wrapping with " Omnifilm" plastic film or a combination of both. No fungicides wre used unripe fruits did not complete ripening at any temperature and wre discarded at latest trials.