The word “pitanga” comes from the indigenous tribe Tupi’s language- pi’tãg, which means the color red. It is also known as brazilian cherry ou surinam cherry.
Native to Brazil, it is rarely found in grocery stores or supermakets due to its very fragile texture. However, it is easily foundon backyards everywhere, and even on the streets. I remember my grandma had a Pitangueira (pitanga tree) on her backyard and I loved to climb it and eat the berries straight from the tree. Birds love them too.
Once picked, it has to be shortly eaten, or prepared because it starts fermenting very rapidly. It is very versatile and can be processed into a pulp and frozen or used to make jam, sauces, ice cream, mousses, juice, among other things. Pitanga is very rich in vitamin A.
Now is Spring in Brazil,and I am delighted to find them everywhere. The small tree in one of the photos is located right in front of my grandma’s apartment building, and the bigger tree is right outside the bakery by my parent’s home. Amazing!
food and other stuff 