Cherry of the Rio Grande

What it is

The smooth fruit is oval to pear-shaped, about 1.3–2.3 cm (0.5–0.9 in) long. It turns from green to red, then wine-red as it ripens. Inside are one to a few seeds, rarely as many as five, surrounded by succulent flesh.

Its scientific name is Eugenia involucrata, and it belongs to the myrtle family. In Brazil, cereja-do-rio-grande and cereja-do-mato are names for the same fruit.

Where it comes from

Its native range includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. In Brazil it grows in the Atlantic Forest, including forests with araucaria trees. It is widely grown in home orchards across southern Brazil, especially among families of German descent.

How it's eaten where it grows

Brazilian cook Neide Rigo makes a quick compote for yogurt flan, using kefir for the flan. She removes the fruit's seeds and heats it with a little sugar and water, just until it softens and makes a light syrup. The same compote goes beside roast poultry or onto toast with cream cheese.

In São Paulo, Regina Fukuhara gathers cereja-do-mato and uses it to top a vanilla cream tart. The fruit, seeds removed, cooks gently with sugar, then goes over the cream in a baked pastry case.

How it's grown

The plant grows as an evergreen shrub or tree, with white flowers in spring. Its trunk sheds bark in plates as it grows. In cultivation it takes sun or partial shade and fertile, moist soil that drains well. Trees planted in fertile ground begin bearing in their sixth or seventh year.

When and where you'll find it

In Paraná, the fruit usually ripens from September to November; in Rio Grande do Sul, from October to December. Santa Catarina and São Paulo usually follow in November and December, while Minas Gerais runs from December into January. Home orchards are an established source of fresh fruit in southern Brazil, with jellies and liqueurs among its preserved forms.

In the United States, trees at Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead, Florida, usually bear in April and May.