| Description |
The Tamarillo, or Tree Tomato, is a small tree or shrub in the Solanaceae family that produces egg-shaped edible fruit. Fruit are more bitter and tougher-skinned than tomatoes. They are pointed at the ends and borne singly or in clusters of 3-12. Fruit can be 5-10cm long and their skin can be blood red, orange, yellow, deep purple, or a mix of these colors. Red fruits are more acidic and savory; yellow and orange fruits are sweeter. Tamarillo are made into compotes, added to stews, or scooped out and spread on toast. The tree has a central trunk with lateral branches, large, pungent leaves, clusters of pink to white flowers, and shallow roots. Trees are self-fertile but fruit-set benefits from another tree nearby for cross-pollination. Tamarillo are native to the Andes and grow best in a subtropical climate where temperatures are between 15-20° C. They cannot tolerate temperatures below -2° C and benefit from wind protection.
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