ARACA BOI

(Eugenia stipitata)

A tree of araca boi

Other name: Araza

Family: Myrtaceae

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            Araca boi is a minor fruit from the Western Amazon.  It is cultivated on small properties throughout the basin of the Solimoes (Alto Amazonas).   It can be seen being sold in small town markets.

            The plant is a shrub or small tree which grows up to 2.5 m. with a fair degree of branching from the base. The leaves are simple, opposite, elliptical to slightly oval and measure 6 to 18 x 3.5 to 9.5 cm.  The inflorescences are in axillary racemes, usually with two to five flowers which are 1 cm wide and pedicellate, have four rounded sepals and five white, oval petals. There are numerous stamens and an ovary with three or tour locules.

            The fruit is a sub spherical berry, reaching 12 cm in diameter and weighing 750 g when ripe. the flesh is yellow and thin; the skin is shiny. velvety and yellow, with few seeds which are oblong and measure up to 2.5 cm.

            This fruit has a very distinct aromatic flavour.  The edible portion is white pulp, which has a sour taste.  It is a rich source of vitamin C. 

            Araca boi fruits are rarely eaten raw because of the sour taste.  But these are widely used to make juices, soft drinks, ice-cream, preserve and even desserts.

            In Brazil, a few pieces of this fruit are used to savour the Brazilian sugarcane liquor cachaca.  This is a special ritual treat in Brazilian country side.

            Araca boi is propagated by seed.  The seeds, however, loose their viability soon, so these should be used very soon after extraction.

            This fruit has a potential for being developed as an orchard crop and therefore deserves to be promoted.  A couple of projects are already in progress in South America for its domestication.