Wax Jambu fruit at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Wax Jambu
Syzygium samarangese
Myrtaceae Family
The Wax Jambu is in the same family as the Guava.
When ripe, the fruit will have a glossy sheen, and can be in a variety of colours. This fruit looks somewhat like a giant Lilly Pilly. The texture of a crisp light apple, the flavour is very light, mildly sweet, perhaps the flavour of rose water, and juicy.
Eaten fresh as a thirst quencher, the rather bland flavour can be enhanced with sugar, spices, sauces etc; the edible portion is 90-95% of the fruit, which can be processed by pickling, light stewing, sautéing, or made into jams and jellies; can also be used to add texture to salads.
Used in traditional folk medicine for treating various ailments. Native to southeast Asia.
Tree maintenance
Syzygium samarangese
Myrtaceae Family
The Wax Jambu is in the same family as the Guava.
When ripe, the fruit will have a glossy sheen, and can be in a variety of colours. This fruit looks somewhat like a giant Lilly Pilly. The texture of a crisp light apple, the flavour is very light, mildly sweet, perhaps the flavour of rose water, and juicy.
Eaten fresh as a thirst quencher, the rather bland flavour can be enhanced with sugar, spices, sauces etc; the edible portion is 90-95% of the fruit, which can be processed by pickling, light stewing, sautéing, or made into jams and jellies; can also be used to add texture to salads.
Used in traditional folk medicine for treating various ailments. Native to southeast Asia.
Tree maintenance
- The tree will require little maintenance.
- Prune after fruiting has finished (approximately mid-January). No need to be too fussy. Prune down to a manageable height, about 2m. Don't do any pruning too close to winter.
- The large leaves mean the tree can be damaged by strong winds and fruit may also be bruised, so keep protected.
- The tree will require watering only during extended periods of drought.
Wax Jambu at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Wax Jambu at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
