Around the World in 40 Fruits – Volume 9 – (Article 9 of 40)
By Dr. Marli Botha
Borojó, also known as Alibertia patinoi, is a small, tropical rainforest tree native to the Colombian Pacific region. It known for its edible fruit, often used to make juices, jellies, and traditionally believed to have medicinal and aphrodisiac properties in Colombia.
Let’s discover what makes this exotic fruit so legendary in both flavour and folklore!
- The Embera people (in Colombia and Panama) believe borojó has energetic properties and is a natural aphrodisiac, with the fruit’s pulp made into a drink called “jugo del amor” or “juice of love”.
- The fruit is large (about 12 cm in length), with a round shape and brown color and average weight of 740-1000 grams. The pulp represents 88% of the total weight. Each fruit has 90 to 640 seeds.
- The fruit has a mild taste, with some describing it as having an apple pie flavour.
- Borojó is known to be rich in protein, phosphorus, vitamins B and C, calcium, and iron.
- Borojó is rich in dietary fiber, which can help with digestion and prevent constipation.
