The Peanut Butter Fruit, also known as Bunchosia argentea or Bunchosia armeniaca
If you're vegan and a fan of peanut butter, this fruit is for you. The Peanut Butter Fruit, also known as Bunchosia argentea or Bunchosia armeniaca, is an exotic fruit native to Northwestern South America. It has a sweet, soft pulp with a peanut butter-like flavor and texture.
The plant is a small tree, growing up to 5m tall, and can also be kept as a bush. It quickly adapts to a variety of soil types and starts fruiting within 3 years of growing from seed.
The leaves are large and ovate with wavy margins. The lightly scented, yellow flowers with claw-like petals ( characteristic of the Malpighiaceae family) are produced in clusters and are followed by an abundance of egg-shaped fruits that have a beak-like tip. These mature from green to orange and then dark red. Each fruit has 2 seeds.
The flesh of the fruit is rich and sweet, with a texture similar to peanut butter, and yet it is a much healthier food option. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into milkshakes.
Not only is the Peanut Butter Fruit tree delicious, it also offers extraordinary health benefits. It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-complex, beta-carotene, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and dietary fiber. It is also known to have antioxidant properties and protect the cardiovascular system. The tree can produce up to 200-300 fruits at once, which can be used in various recipes or enjoyed as is. The Peanut Butter Fruit tree is a great choice for a backyard garden.
The plant prefers full sun to semi-shade and requires regular watering. The soil must be kept moist but not waterlogged.
Common name: Peanut Butter Tree
Scientific name: Bunchosia armeniaca
Family: Malpighiaceae
Native place: Northwestern South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil and Perú)
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Plants of Singapore
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