Ambarella Botanical Name: Spondias cytherea (Anacardiaceae)

General Description/History: - Close relative of the mango oval 6-9cm long - Thin but tough skin golden yellow when ripe - While still firm the flesh is crisp and juicy with a pineapple like fragrance and flavour if allowed to soften, the aroma and flavour become mushy and the flesh is difficult to slice - Contains 1-5 flat seeds The tree is rapid growing, attaining a height 9-12m. It is upright and rather rigid and symmetrical, a stately ornamental with deciduous, pinnate leaves 20-60cm in length. At the beginning of the dry season, the leaves turn bright-yellow and fall, but the tree with its nearly smooth, light grey-brown bark and graceful rounded branches is not unattractive during the weeks it remains bare. Select firm fruit free from blemishes, golden yellow in colour when ripe. Ambarellas are lovely consumed fresh, pureed for beverages or used in cheese and fruit platters. The tree flourishes in humid tropical and subtropical areas. All soil types are suitable provided they are well drained. The tree is easily propagated by seeds, which germinate in about four weeks, or by large hardwood cuttings. It can also be grafted on its own rootstock. Seedlings may fruit when only four years old. Sheltered locations are preferred for protection from winds. The Ambarella is native to Melanesia and Polynesia.

Alternative Names: Great hog plum Otaheite apple Tahitian quince. Vi apple

Availability:  Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec   Availability                                                                         Available in January, November and December

Growing Areas: QLD - Tropical North

Nutritional Value: There is no nutrient analysis currently available.

Storage/Handling: 10°C - 15°C and 90 - 95% relative humidity Consumer Storage: Ripen at room temperature and store in the refrigerator crisper for a short period.