Jelly palm fruit also known as Palm date, Wine palm, Yatay and botanically as Butia capitata. The Pindo palm tree, as it is known, is a member of the Arecaceae family. Jelly palm fruit is often eaten fresh, off the tree, though its name comes from the most common preparation for these small fruits - jelly. These fruits are foraged and are not cultivated for commercial sale.

The tartly sweet jelly palm fruit is about the size of a small cherry, with a similar drupe-like shape. The petite, round fruits grow in clusters like grapes on the Pindo palm tree. Fruits grow to be one half to one inch in diameter and have a thin golden yellow skin which often has a slight red blush when the fruit is ripe. The flesh surrounds a single large, black seed and is buttery yellow in color with a soft and juicy texture. Both the skin and fruit are edible and have a tropical flavor which has nuances of apricot, pineapple, coconut and banana.

Serving Ideas

Jelly palm fruits are eaten fresh, off the short palm tree on which they grow. Often foraged, the jelly palm fruits are found on short, squat Pindo palm trees in yards and on street corners. The fruits are high in pectin and can be made into jelly or jam without requiring the use of additional pectin or solidifiers. The high pectin content makes for a cloudier wine, which is another common use for the jelly palm fruits. These small, banana-colored fruit are very fibrous and it isn’t uncommon for the skin and fibrous flesh to be spit out once the juice is consumed. The fruit is highly perishable and can be stored in the refrigerator for only a few days after picking.

Geography/History

Native to Brazil, Pindo palm trees were named after a town in Southern Brazil where they were first discovered. The name Butia capitata is derived from the Portuguese word Butia, meaning 'spiny' and the Latin capitata meaning ‘with a dense head’ referring to the plant’s seeds. The Pindo palm is a common ornamental tree in South America and also in the Southern US from Florida to southern coastal California; it is the hardiest of the feather-leaf palms in wide cultivation. Often the jelly palm fruit can be mistaken for the fruit of the Queen palm, which are inedible. These other fruits are a striking orange color, whereas the jelly palm fruits are always yellow. Jelly palm fruit is most often foraged and may be found at local farmers markets.

Seasons/Availability

Jelly palm fruit is available during the summer months.