Wax Apple / Jambu

Also known asJambu Air · Water Apple · Java Apple · Syzygium samarangense · 莲雾

Name: Wax apple, also called Java apple, Semarang rose apple, wax jambu, jambu air in Malay and Indonesian, or lian wu in Taiwan (Syzygium samarangense). The name refers to the fruit's glossy, waxy sheen. It is a relative of the rose apple and java plum, described on their own pages.

Description

Wax apple is native to a region that includes the Greater Sunda Islands, the Malay Peninsula and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and was introduced in prehistoric times across a wider area, now being grown throughout the tropics. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree that is a heavy bearer, producing hundreds of fruits in a crop.

The fruit is bell-shaped, with a thin, waxy, glossy skin that ranges from white and pale green to pink, deep red or almost black, depending on the variety. The flesh is crisp, juicy and spongy, with a mild, delicate, slightly sweet taste, often compared to a snow pear, with a watery texture similar to watermelon. In Taiwan, dark red varieties such as ‘black pearl’ are a popular summer fruit.

Main nutrition value

Wax apple is a light, watery fruit with few calories, providing a little vitamin C and fibre.

How best to be consumed

Wax apple is eaten fresh, whole, with the thin skin on, and is best chilled.

1. Rinse well and eat the whole fruit, skin and all, discarding the small seeds if present.
2. Chill before eating for a crisp, refreshing bite.
3. Slice into salads, sometimes with salt, chilli or sour plum powder, as is common in Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
4. Use in fruit salads, desserts and drinks, or pickle for a sour-sweet snack.
5. Eat soon after buying, since they bruise and spoil quickly.

Overconsumption could cause…

Wax apple is safe in ordinary amounts and very mild.

1. Digestive upset, such as loose stools, from a large amount of fruit at once.
2. Little nutritional value if eaten in place of more nutrient-dense foods.
3. Pesticide residues on the thin skin, so wash well, or choose organic fruit.
4. Allergic reactions in rare cases.

GroupsTropical FruitsMyrtle family (Myrtaceae)Southeast AsianFresh

Related foodsFeijoaGuavaJava Plum / JamunRose AppleCalamansiDragon Fruit / Pitaya

Wikipedia — Syzygium samarangense, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syzygium_samarangense