Bilimbi is originally from Indonesia but can also be found in the Phillipines, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It was introduced to Jamaica in 1973 from Timor. It is close to the star fruit family and does well in St Mary. It is reputed to be good for high blood pressure and is favoured by locals of Indian descent. When curried it tastes like meat. The tree grows up to 10 metres in height and thrives in rich, well-drained soil with evenly distributed rainfall. (find out more by simply Googling the word 'bilimbi'). - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
This week we continue our series on tropical fruit trees showcased at this year's Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon, the fruits today are: guava and bilimbi.
MINDBOGGLING
It boggles the mind that here in Jamaica we do not grow more guavas. The trees require very little attention. Growing up in Clarendon and Manchester, I saw them everywhere, growing wild, and many of us got our first intro-duction to serious cooking when our grandparents taught us to make guava jam/jelly.
In Cuba, it is used to make delicious guava cheese but now it is also popular here as a syrup, and in all sorts of nectars and drinks. Guava puree lifts the taste of any fruit punch and, if you ever try stewed guava cups, you will agree it's heavenly.
In Thailand, guava juice is served alongside other breakfast juices and the fruit is segmented and served with others. That variety is very sweet.
The potential for by-products from this little fruit is endless, so run with it nuh!
For information on how and where to obtain the fruit trees, plants or seedlings, contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority at: Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 or telephone: 876-977-1156 or Lockley Waites at: 876-468-9066 or Dennis Brown at:876-577-9575. Email:executive@abisjamaica.com.jm.
barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com
Guava: At least one species (the Jamaican guava), is already extinct. But there are about 100 species worldwide in places like Central and South America, and this variety can also be found in Thailand and Hawaii. Guava trees sometimes look like shrubs and they thrive in the tropics.
