Tamarillo – The Underestimated Fruit

Tamarillos (also called tree tomatoes) belong to the nightshade family like the tomato or the potato, but are counted as a fruit. The skin of the egg-shaped fruit is yellow to dark red and has a bitter taste. Ripe fruits have an aromatic scent and give way slightly when pressure is applied. Inside the tamarillo is the jelly-like flesh with small seeds, similar to that of the tomato.

Origin

Colombia.

Taste

Tamarillos have a sweet and sour and slightly spicy taste.

Use

The bitter-tasting peel should be peeled off before preparation. This works best if the fruit has been briefly scalded with water. Tamarillos are mainly processed like tomatoes, e.g. in salads, with cold appetizers with cheese, egg, or ham. Halved fruit can also be refined and scooped out with sugar, salt, or lemon juice. Because of its spicy aroma, tamarillo is often used to refine spicy sauces. It is also often processed into chutney and spreads.

Storage

At room temperature, ripe tamarillos can be stored for about four to five days. Longer keep them chilled at 6-8°C.