Cherry of the Rio Grande

The Cherry of the Rio Grande, also known as the Big River Cherry, is a rare and exotic fruit tree native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. It belongs to the Eugenia family, closely related to the Surinam Cherry, Pitanga, Grumichama, and Pitomba. Despite its tropical origins, this tree is surprisingly drought-tolerant and can withstand frost once mature.

The fruit of the Cherry of the Rio Grande is oblong and starts with a pale pink to red skin, maturing into a deep red-wine and almost purple-black hue. It boasts a bold, sweet taste that blends flavors of cherry and plum, with some even detecting hints of banana. Not only is it delicious, but it also offers health benefits, being rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains high levels of vitamins A and C, B-complex vitamins, and small amounts of iron, magnesium, and potassium.