Tree Tomato
Tree Tomato Seedlings
Tree Tomato
Tamarillo, best known by the name Tree Tomato in Kenya is a fast-growing tree belonging to the Solanaceae family, which grows up to approximately 5 meters. The tree usually forms a single upright trunk with lateral branches and flowers and fruits hang from the lateral branches. The leaves are large, simple, and perennial and have a strong pungent smell while the flowers are pink-white and form clusters of 10-50 flowers. They produce 1 to 6 fruits per cluster.
In Kenya, tree tomato is grown in Migori, Kisii, Kakamega, Meru, Murang’a, Embu, Nyeri, Nyandarua, and Kericho, among others. Areas, where citrus is cultivated, provide good conditions for tree tomatoes. The fruit is a many-seeded berry and egg-shaped, which looks like a medium-sized tomato, although it is not a true tomato.
Tree Tomato Plantation
Fruits can be eaten fresh by scooping the flesh from halved pieces. For other uses, the skin must be removed which is easily done by pouring boiling water over the fruits and letting it stand for about 5 minutes before peeling.
The tree tomato flesh can be added to stews to make unique flavor and the fruits are tasty and decorative in salads making appetizing desserts. Fresh tree tomato is often blended with sugar and water to make refreshing juice. Peak production is reached after 3-6 years depending on the cultivar, and the life expectancy of the crop is about 12 years.
