Planted the fourth and final borojo tree here, and the same night got a good reminder of how regional these fruits really are, even within South America.
The Basics
Borojo, Borojoa patinoi, is native to the Chocó rainforest region spanning Colombia and Ecuador, in the Rubiaceae family alongside coffee.
Origin and Habitat
Wet Chocó rainforest, one of the most biodiverse and rainiest regions on earth.
What It Looks Like
A small tree producing a thick, fibrous, brown pulped fruit, not much to look at from the outside.
Uses and Flavor
Mostly used in juices and shakes, most famously the borojo crab milkshake from Colombia, a combination that surprised even Brazilian friends of ours who’d never heard of it, or of envira caju or rollinia for that matter, despite recognizing jaboticaba and cupuassu right away.
Growing It Here
We planted four of these total, rounding out a small grove, and we’re currently down to three still in the ground, growing in the understory between the cacao trees in the cacao orchard. It might be too shaded for them there, but they seem to be tolerating it fine and still look healthy. After five years, though, all three are still under 3 feet tall, so shade is clearly slowing them down more than it’s hurting them outright. We’ll prune back around them to open up more light and see if that gets them moving.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Nothing notable so far.
Kenta’s Take
Asking real Brazilians about South American fruit and getting blank stares half the time was a good reminder that even a whole continent’s worth of fruit knowledge is more local than you’d think. Five years in and still under 3 feet tall is its own reminder that patience is just part of the deal with this one.