Solanum betaceum 'Tango' (Tamarillo)

The tamarillo (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. It is also known as the tree tomato, tomate de árbol, tomate andino, tomate serrano, blood fruit, tomate de yuca, tomate de españa, sachatomate, berenjena, chilto and tamamoro in South America, tyamtar, rambheda or rukh tamatar (lit. tree tomatoes) in Nepal, and terong Belanda (Dutch eggplant) in Indonesia. It is popular globally, especially in Peru, Colombia, New Zealand, Ecuador, Nepal, Rwanda, Burundi, Australia, Bhutan and the United States.

The variety 'Tango' will tantalise your taste buds with exotic flavour. Juicy and packed with goodness the tamarillo fruit is a very good source of vitamin C, and is low in fat and calories. Clusters of pink fragrant flowers appear in spring within 18 months from planting, followed by medium sized red/orange fruit. The fruits are very sweet and have low acidity. The plant is a self-fertile, fast growing tree with large heart shaped leaves that are soft and hairy.