Achacha (Photo courtesy Fruitopia Nursery, Brisbane - fruitopianursery.com.au)
Achacha
Garcinia sp.
A cousin of the mangosteen, the Achacha is known as the “queen of tropical fruit” throughout Asia, as it produces an unusual taste sensation, delicious, exotic, delicately sweet, tangy - no wonder the name translates as “honey kiss”.
Fruit should be picked mature - it changes from blue-green to yellow-orange and then orange-red as it ripens (you can peel the fruit by running a knife around the middle, the top then readily comes away from the seed).
The pulp can be eaten fresh, used to make jam, tarts, or gelato, put into fruit punch etc, or added to ice cream, tropical fruit & green salads. Best not kept in fridge.
Achachas are a rich source of potassium, vitamin C & folate.
Originating from the Bolivian part of the Amazon, the world’s first commercial plantation was established in 2003 in North Queensland, with fruit appearing in 2009.
Tree maintenance
Garcinia sp.
A cousin of the mangosteen, the Achacha is known as the “queen of tropical fruit” throughout Asia, as it produces an unusual taste sensation, delicious, exotic, delicately sweet, tangy - no wonder the name translates as “honey kiss”.
Fruit should be picked mature - it changes from blue-green to yellow-orange and then orange-red as it ripens (you can peel the fruit by running a knife around the middle, the top then readily comes away from the seed).
The pulp can be eaten fresh, used to make jam, tarts, or gelato, put into fruit punch etc, or added to ice cream, tropical fruit & green salads. Best not kept in fridge.
Achachas are a rich source of potassium, vitamin C & folate.
Originating from the Bolivian part of the Amazon, the world’s first commercial plantation was established in 2003 in North Queensland, with fruit appearing in 2009.
Tree maintenance
- After all the fruit is off the tree, use a sterile pruning tool to remove dead or damaged branches.
- Shape the tree into a broad pyramidal shape with many horizontal branches for the best overall form.
- The tree is a slow grower, so fertilise 3-4 times a year with an organic balanced fertiliser to encourage growth.
- When young the tree should get water multiple times per week, and once established about once a week.
- Prefers full sun.
Achacha at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Achacha at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
