Also called the love apple, Jamaican apple, water apple, maple apple, otaheite apple, and mountain apple. In Taiwan and China it is known as lianwu, chomphu in Thailand, and jamalac in French. Growing on the Syzygium samarangense, a large tropical tree, Thai wax apples are the fruiting, edible berry that develop in clusters at any point along the tree. A mature Thai wax apple tree can grow up to 60 feet in height and may produce up to 700 pounds of fruit in a single crop.

Thai wax apples are bell-shaped when ripe and their skin color may range from black to purple to red to pale green. A ripe, healthy wax apple will display a light sheen, resembling a wax coating. The Thai wax apple has a flavor similar to an Asian pear, with a watermelon-like texture. Protruding slightly at the blossom end, the wax apple has a large seed cavity, often removed before serving

Nutritional Value

Thai wax apples have been found to contain oleanolic acid. The root is effective against dysentery, and may be used as a diuretic.

Serving Ideas

Thai wax apples are served fresh, often uncut, with the core removed.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Called "Black Pearls" in Taiwan, the darker, purple-black fruit are the most prized. Darker, paler fruits tend to be the sweetest.

Geography/History

The Thai wax apple tree is native to Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Samoa and Indonesia. Strictly a tropical tree, the Portuguese brought the first Jamaican apple (Thai wax apple) to East Africa.

Seasons/Availability

Thai wax apples are available in spring and can be sometimes found at local farmers market or online.