Tree tomato, or tamarillo, smoothie and juice

Tomate de Arbol or tree tomato is a popular Ecuadorian fruit.

It is tangy with a little sweetness, is a great source of Vitamin A, B6 and C and also contains Vitamin E and Thiamine.

In Ecuador it is used in juice, smoothies, desserts, and hot salsa.

In the United States it can be found in frozen in the Latin aisle at the supermarket.

According to Wikipedia Solanum betaceum is a small tree or shrub in the flowering plant family Solanaceae (the nightshade family).

It is best known as the species that bears the tamarillo, an egg-shaped edible fruit, tt is also known as the tree tomato, or tamamoro.

Tree tomato is thought to have originated from the Andean region of Peru, Ecuador, and  Colombia, it is one also of the most popular fruits of the region.

The nightshade family of plants includes tomato, eggplant, pepper, potato and many toxic plants.

Tree tomato plan is a fast-growing tree that grows up to 5 meters and the fruit is juicy, sweet and citric in taste..

Its peak production is reached after four years and the life expectancy is about 12 years.

The tree usually forms a single upright trunk with lateral branches, the flowers and fruits hang from the lateral branches.

Tree tomato fruits are egg shaped and about 4-10 centimeters long, their color can be from anything from yellow and orange, to read and to a dark, almost purple, color.

The tree tomato prefers subtropical climate and it is intolerant to frost and drought stress.

It can grow well in areas where citrus are cultivated, and the tree grows best in light, deep, fertile soils.

Tree tomatoes are one of the very low calorie fruit, 100 grams of fresh fruits contains actually just 31 calories.

They also have good amounts or health benefiting plant nutrients such as dietary fiber (3,3 mg or 9% or RDA), minerals, anti-oxidants, and vitamins.

Acidic flavor of tree tomato comes from citric acid, but they contain also malic acid.

They are also very rich in antioxidants, that are especially concentrated in their skin and scientific studies suggest that tree tomatoes may help lower blood sugar levels in type-II diabetes.

Red tree tomatoes after blanching them in hot water.

Tree tomato is also a good source of B-complex vitamins and potassium, they also contain a small rate of minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and iron.

The fruit is suitable for raw consumption if the skin is taken of, the skin is very tough and inedible.

If you are going to use this fruit in juice, as it is mostly used in Ecuador, first blanch it in boiling water to make the skin easier to remove and take away some of the acidity.

Just be careful with the juice because it leaves indelible stains on clothing.

Peeled tree tomatoes

 Batido de tomate de árbol or tree tomato smoothie

Ingredients

(4 servings)

• 4 Tree tomatoes or Tomates de Arbol
• 2 Cups milk
• ¼ cup crushed ice
• 4 tablespoons sugar, or other sweeterner of your choice

Directions

1. Blanch the fruit in hot water and wait until it’s room temperature again
2. Place all the ingredients except the ice in a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Strain the juice through a sieve.
4. Pour the juice back in the blender, add the crushed ice and blend until smooth.
5. Serve and enjoy!

 Tree tomato juice

Ingredients

(4 servings)

• 4 Tree tomatoes or Tomates de Arbol
• 4 cups of water
• 4 tablespoons sugar or you can use other sweetener of your choice

Directions

1. Blanch the fruit in hot water and wait until it’s room temperature again
2. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Strain the juice through a sieve.
4. Serve and enjoy!