Pommerac, a French Patois word, is the name given to this fruit in Trinidad and Tobago. However, its scientific name is Syzygium samarangenese, but it is more commonly called the Rose Apple, Malay Apple or the Mountain Apple. This divine fruit can be found in many tropical territories such as South East Asia, South America and is very abundant in my region of the Caribbean due to its warmer climate, in which it thrives. They are in season several times a year depending on the country such as, May to June, August to September and/or November to December.
When I was a little one, the pommerac tree that had originally been planted in my backyard for decades, unfortunately had to be cut down, as it began leaning with much instability, toward my home. I remember the day clearly. A sad one indeed, as I looked at the remains of its severed trunk, which now looked like a stool. The glorious tree was now reduced to a place to rest your rear end. My heart bled.
As time went on, I missed the fruit immensely, it one indeed one of my favourites. But one fine day my dad brought home a few. I ate it, relishing every bite and nine year old me, decided to take the seed and plant it.
My new tree
Fast forward nineteen years later and this little tree has blessed so many people and produced some of the biggest pommeracs I have ever seen. No I am not biased in the least of the quality of the fruits. My secret, I am immensely convinced, is that when I went to water it, while I watched it grow, I would sing to my tree. Indeed, I showered it not only with water, but love, affection and very lengthy encouragement speeches. They seemed to do the trick and studies now suggest that plants do respond to differing sound frequencies.
My Garden of Pommeracs
The tree has large leaves, which provide vast protection of the flowers and fruits which can be affected by heavy rainfall. The flowers are pink, almost fushia in colour and have beautiful,almost pointed elements, extending outwards, that come together to give it a brush-like appearance. When in season, the bright pink splashes give evidence that pommerac season has arrived and when they fall, they form a lovely pink carpet under the tree. It is a beautiful sight.
The flower is the poetry of reproduction. It is an example of the eternal seductiveness of life - a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities of the world.
The fruit is a darker pink to the flowers, more maroon in colour depending on the level of ripeness of the fruit. It has a thin reddish-pink layer covering its exterior, protecting the white fibrous interior which surrounds a large seed. The texture is very similar to that of an apple, but when bitten, the texture is not as crunchy. It can be akin to something like that of a pear with its oblong shape. The taste is significantly different from both, but can be described as an infusion of the two. If you can imagine it, it is both delightful and refreshing and can be eaten both raw or added to recipes.
The varied parts of the tree all provide medicinal benefits such as its leaves, roots, bark, fruit and seeds. These can be used to treat conditions such as constipation, diabetes, coughs, fevers and headaches. They also are high in antioxidants like most fruits and contain a high water content. Due to its low caloric value and low carbohydrate content, this fruit is very nutritional.
In all, if you can, this fruit is deliciously delightful and well worth trying if you can get your hands on it.
From This Pommerac Lover,
Toodles.
Hope you enjoyed. All questions and comments are welcomed. 😊
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References
Felix, Jane Macdonald, Romi, and Junior Lewing Koo. “Pomerac: Little Known Facts!” Simply Trini Cooking, August 24, 2016. https://www.simplytrinicooking.com/pomerac-little-known-facts/.
Corner, The HealthNut. “Tropical Fruit: Pomerac or Rose Apple.” About The Health-Nut Corner, January 1, 1970. http://thehealthnutcorner.blogspot.com/2011/07/tropical-fruit-pomerac-or-rose-apple.html.
Credit : All photos captured by me.
