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Myrtus ugni
Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both
flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
In article , Sacha writes: | Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both | flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is | deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. | I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but | I'm very cautious....... ;-) A quick look led me to lots of sites, and another found essentially no matches for 'Myrtus poisonous' except for a New York one that muttered about myrtles including those terrible substances tannins and volatile oils. I found at least one site that referred to the family as being non-poisonous. Obviously your decision, but I would have a go. I have still not eaten more than the odd black nightshade berry and don't intend to. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
In article , Sacha
writes Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) Usher 'Plants used by Man' pub Constable 1974 doesn't mention M ugni, but says of M communis 'the fruits are sometimes used as a condiment and to relieve stomach upsets' .... that sounds hopeful. otoh, he says of M obcordata 'an infusion of the bark and berries is used locally to aid menstruation' ;-) In absence of firm evidence, I reckon I'd be rather cautious! -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
Sacha wrote:
Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) http://www.daleysfruit.com.au/newsle...ctober2001.htm Seems pretty unequivocal: Ugni (Myrtus ugni) This little berry is certainly gaining its fair share of attention lately. Its the size of a large blueberry, has 5 times the flavour and makes the most magnificent muffins you'll ever taste. And how do you know when to pick it? - well you just walk outside into the garden and get bowled over by the wonderful scent. A small evergreen shrub with its delicate foliage they are far tougher than they look. I've recently planted three in a shady position on the southern side of the house, just the position Camellias love, and you should see the little things grow. The area is well composted and mulched with a well drained soil. They seem happy in most soils and conditions and appreciate summer watering. They can withstand mild frosts and don't mind being thirsty although this would effect the fruit yield. A great shrub for the 'lazy' gardener as they're virtually maintenance free. No pruning is needed and as far as we can see they are relatively unaffected by pests. The small glossy dark-green leaves are tinged with a beautiful red growth when young and the plant becomes smothered with fluffy bell-shaped white or pink flowers. Like blueberries the fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. Its gaining huge exceptance in with gourmet chefs throughout the world for its unique aromatic flavour and its reputed to make an ice-cream that will rival any. The shrubs begin to yield ruit after 3 years when they should bear about one kilogram per plant. The yield will then increase by one kilogram each year as the plant matures. pk |
"Kay" wrote in message ... In article , Sacha writes Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) Usher 'Plants used by Man' pub Constable 1974 doesn't mention M ugni, but says of M communis 'the fruits are sometimes used as a condiment and to relieve stomach upsets' .... that sounds hopeful. I've nibbled a few M communis for fun and they're rather sloe-like. The myrtle gin that I made (same method as sloe gin) has a fantastic scent but the taste is slightly, er medicinal. The plant itself is wonderful in flower, leaf and scent and has only been slightly browned at the tips occasionally by by the East Anglian winter in a partly sheltered North facing corner. -- Anton |
In article , anton
writes I've nibbled a few M communis for fun and they're rather sloe-like. The myrtle gin that I made (same method as sloe gin) has a fantastic scent but the taste is slightly, er medicinal. The plant itself is wonderful in flower, leaf and scent and has only been slightly browned at the tips occasionally by by the East Anglian winter in a partly sheltered North facing corner. Yes, very beautiful, but here in Yorkshire I get flowers only in a good summer. But it survives the winters with no problem. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
Hello, they are perfectly edible, and my daughter harvests them and eats
them right away whenever she notices them. Although I am not aware of any operations to raise it as a commercial fruit, it is commonly sold in some parts of the world as a backyard fruit. I suppose that in the UK it is primarily sold as an ornamental, but in my part of the world (northwestern USA, similar climate) it is primarily sold as a fruit-bearer. "Myrtus ugni" is now "Ugni molina". The fruits are sometimes called "Chilean Guavas" or "Strawberry Guavas". There is another species of Ugni, quite closely related to this one but with narrower leaves, that is equally edible. Both are natives of the southern Andes in Chile. They are not bad as guavas go, in fact they are better than the more tropical Guavas, and in particular the guavas grown in Asia, but they have a flavor that is a mixture of strawberry and...guava! (They are, in fact, members of the Myrtaceae, whose fruits are often referred to as "guavas". The "v" by the way is usually pronounced as if it were a "b", "guaba", because that is how New World Spanish treats the letter "v"). Guavas have a resinous smell like myrtle, which not everyone likes. If you like them, enjoy them, they are perfectly safe despite the slightly medicinal smell! An even tastier guava, I would say about the best of the Guavas, is the fruit of Feijoa sellowiana, which unfortunately rarely bears in the UK. The flavor is like Pineapple (hence the common name "Pineapple Guava") with a scent of Passiflora caerulea (vaguely sweet-pea like if that helps), and the seeds are tiny and unobtrusive. One of the tastiest fruits in the world, and unusual for being so good without ever having been bred for bigger and better fruits. The small tree/large shrub it grows on is also very beautiful, with huge (for a myrtle) candy-pink blossoms (the petals of which are eaten by the parrots that pollinate it, and interestingly they are quite palatable to humans as well; they are traditionally added to fruit salad) and very attractive leathery leaves and rugged, olive-like branches. Strangely cold-hardy for a native of southern Brazil. Bon appetit. Atar -- Enjoy reading about special plants from interesting parts of the world on my blog at wildestdreamsofkew.blogspot.com Sacha wrote: Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) |
In article , Atar writes: | | They are not bad as guavas go, in fact they are better than the more | tropical Guavas, and in particular the guavas grown in Asia, ... One of the problems with the true guava (Psidium guajava) is that it does not do well when picked unripe. The ones you can buy in the UK are scarcely worth eating, but the ones of my childhood could be delicious. Of course, you have to like chewing on small, rounded gravel .... | An even tastier guava, I would say about the best of the Guavas, is the | fruit of Feijoa sellowiana, which unfortunately rarely bears in the UK. The | flavor is like Pineapple (hence the common name "Pineapple Guava") with a | scent of Passiflora caerulea (vaguely sweet-pea like if that helps), and | the seeds are tiny and unobtrusive. One of the tastiest fruits in the | world, and unusual for being so good without ever having been bred for | bigger and better fruits. The small tree/large shrub it grows on is also | very beautiful, with huge (for a myrtle) candy-pink blossoms (the petals of | which are eaten by the parrots that pollinate it, and interestingly they | are quite palatable to humans as well; they are traditionally added to | fruit salad) and very attractive leathery leaves and rugged, olive-like | branches. Strangely cold-hardy for a native of southern Brazil. It seems to do well as a pot plant with me, and came through last winter intact. And then flowered! Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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On 24/11/04 13:26, in article , "pk"
wrote: Sacha wrote: Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) http://www.daleysfruit.com.au/newsle...ctober2001.htm Seems pretty unequivocal: Ugni (Myrtus ugni) This little berry is certainly gaining its fair share of attention lately. Its the size of a large blueberry, has 5 times the flavour and makes the most magnificent muffins you'll ever taste. And how do you know when to pick it? - well you just walk outside into the garden and get bowled over by the wonderful scent. The scent is *terrific*. Last year, I was trying to figure out what it was near our front door that had such a wonderful scent and never got to that. Its flowers and berries are so small that I hadn't even thought of it. I certainly don't see the berries as being the size of a large blueberry but that might be because of soil, position, a not-very-good summer etc. snip of very useful info. Thank you! -- Sacha (remove the weeds for email) |
anton wrote:
"Kay" wrote in message ... In article , Sacha writes Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) Usher 'Plants used by Man' pub Constable 1974 doesn't mention M ugni, but says of M communis 'the fruits are sometimes used as a condiment and to relieve stomach upsets' .... that sounds hopeful. I've nibbled a few M communis for fun and they're rather sloe-like. The myrtle gin that I made (same method as sloe gin) has a fantastic scent but the taste is slightly, er medicinal. In Sardinia (Italy), they make a really nice liqueur based on myrtle berries and leaves. They use almost pure alcohol and sugar, rather than gin. The leaves are also used in cooking, expecially roast piglet / pork The plant itself is wonderful in flower, leaf and scent and has only been slightly browned at the tips occasionally by by the East Anglian winter in a partly sheltered North facing corner. -- Anton |
On 24/11/04 16:29, in article , "anton"
wrote: snip I've nibbled a few M communis for fun and they're rather sloe-like. The myrtle gin that I made (same method as sloe gin) has a fantastic scent but the taste is slightly, er medicinal. The plant itself is wonderful in flower, leaf and scent and has only been slightly browned at the tips occasionally by by the East Anglian winter in a partly sheltered North facing corner. We have other types of Myrtle in the garden (some self-seeded which I always like to see) but it had never occurred to me to try the berries. And speaking of M. communis, is that the one that is supposed to be traditional for royal brides' bouquets? Because if it is, Ray thinks they may have the wrong plant and that the 'fertile myrtle' was Myrtus lechleriana, because it flowers during the months weddings are more often held. We have one of the latter here grown by Edward Hyams who describes his collection as a 'cult of myrtles'. The M. lechleriana is now known as Ammomytus luma. And Ray has just recalled someone telling him that Queen Victoria was said to gorge herself on the berries of some myrtle or other -- maybe the lovely, strawberry scented one or Myrtus lechleriana? A sprig of myrtle was in her bouquet and was planted at Osborne House so I wonder which *that* was. -- Sacha (remove the weeds for email) |
In article ,
Sacha wrote: The scent is *terrific*. Last year, I was trying to figure out what it was near our front door that had such a wonderful scent and never got to that. Its flowers and berries are so small that I hadn't even thought of it. I certainly don't see the berries as being the size of a large blueberry but that might be because of soil, position, a not-very-good summer etc. One article said that there were two strains, one with a smaller berry. Anyway, I looked at Usher, and there was an entry for Chilean guava pointing to Myrtus ugni, so I think that the lack of an entry is an oversight. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 12:33:02 +0000, Sacha
wrote: Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) Sacha, I've come rather late into this thread but we bought and ate myrtle jam in Corsica and it was delicious (and we lived to tell the tale). -- Sally in Shropshire, UK bed and breakfast near Ludlow: http://www.stonybrook-ludlow.co.uk Reply To address is spam trap |
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Kay wrote:
[ M communis ] Yes, very beautiful, but here in Yorkshire I get flowers only in a good summer. But it survives the winters with no problem. Kay, I'm just down the road from you in central Wakefield, and my variegated myrtle flowers every year. It was full of blossom last summer. I know we have a warm microclimate here. In winter it's usually up to 2 degrees warmer here than at the M1 J41, a couple of miles away. -- Sally Holmes Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England |
In article , Sally Holmes
writes Kay wrote: [ M communis ] Yes, very beautiful, but here in Yorkshire I get flowers only in a good summer. But it survives the winters with no problem. Kay, I'm just down the road from you in central Wakefield, and my variegated myrtle flowers every year. It was full of blossom last summer. I know we have a warm microclimate here. In winter it's usually up to 2 degrees warmer here than at the M1 J41, a couple of miles away. And I'm 300ft higher than you too ;-) -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 18:22:16 +0000, Sacha
wrote: On 24/11/04 16:29, in article , "anton" wrote: snip I've nibbled a few M communis for fun and they're rather sloe-like. The myrtle gin that I made (same method as sloe gin) has a fantastic scent but the taste is slightly, er medicinal. The plant itself is wonderful in flower, leaf and scent and has only been slightly browned at the tips occasionally by by the East Anglian winter in a partly sheltered North facing corner. We have other types of Myrtle in the garden (some self-seeded which I always like to see) but it had never occurred to me to try the berries. And speaking of M. communis, is that the one that is supposed to be traditional for royal brides' bouquets? Because if it is, Ray thinks they may have the wrong plant and that the 'fertile myrtle' was Myrtus lechleriana, because it flowers during the months weddings are more often held. We have one of the latter here grown by Edward Hyams who describes his collection as a 'cult of myrtles'. The M. lechleriana is now known as Ammomytus luma. And Ray has just recalled someone telling him that Queen Victoria was said to gorge herself on the berries of some myrtle or other -- maybe the lovely, strawberry scented one or Myrtus lechleriana? A sprig of myrtle was in her bouquet and was planted at Osborne House so I wonder which *that* was. At one time we had here a herb nursery with Myrtus communis supposedly derived from the sprig in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, BC, Canada to send email, change atlantic to pacific and invalid to net |
On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 21:23:55 +0000, Sally Thompson
wrote: On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 12:33:02 +0000, Sacha wrote: Hay anyone actually tried eating the berries of these. We have it both flowering and berrying in the garden at the moment and the smell is deliciously like strawberries when you crush the berries. I've found a site that says they're edible and can be used in jellies but I'm very cautious....... ;-) Sacha, I've come rather late into this thread but we bought and ate myrtle jam in Corsica and it was delicious (and we lived to tell the tale). Elizabeth David's 1956 "Italian Cooking" refers to the Sardinians using myrtle for cooking, contrary to Italian law. I can't remember if it was the oil expressed from the seeds or boughs of leaves used a la rosemary to scent roasting meat. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, BC, Canada to send email, change atlantic to pacific and invalid to net |
"Rodger Whitlock" wrote in message ... [snip] At one time we had here a herb nursery with Myrtus communis supposedly derived from the sprig in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet. In a small lawn just outside the Physics building of York University there is an apple tree which is purported to be a clone of Newton's tree. Franz |
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"Sacha" wrote in message k... On 25/11/04 11:27 pm, in article , "Rodger Whitlock" wrote: On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 18:22:16 +0000, Sacha wrote: snip And Ray has just recalled someone telling him that Queen Victoria was said to gorge herself on the berries of some myrtle or other -- maybe the lovely, strawberry scented one or Myrtus lechleriana? A sprig of myrtle was in her bouquet and was planted at Osborne House so I wonder which *that* was. At one time we had here a herb nursery with Myrtus communis supposedly derived from the sprig in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet. Ray's theory on that - which is strictly personal and probably not verifiable - is that it wouldn't have been Myrtus communis because of the time of flowering. Victoria was married in February. 'scuse possibly ignorant statement as flouranging not ever been one my anorakdoms, couldn't the foliage have been used for some of the greenery on the bouquet, giving a fantastic scent too? -- Anton |
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On 26/11/04 4:33 pm, in article , "anton"
wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... On 25/11/04 11:27 pm, in article , "Rodger Whitlock" wrote: On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 18:22:16 +0000, Sacha wrote: snip And Ray has just recalled someone telling him that Queen Victoria was said to gorge herself on the berries of some myrtle or other -- maybe the lovely, strawberry scented one or Myrtus lechleriana? A sprig of myrtle was in her bouquet and was planted at Osborne House so I wonder which *that* was. At one time we had here a herb nursery with Myrtus communis supposedly derived from the sprig in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet. Ray's theory on that - which is strictly personal and probably not verifiable - is that it wouldn't have been Myrtus communis because of the time of flowering. Victoria was married in February. 'scuse possibly ignorant statement as flouranging not ever been one my anorakdoms, couldn't the foliage have been used for some of the greenery on the bouquet, giving a fantastic scent too? Oh certainly - though the scent of the leaves is a rather musky, sexy scent. Someone in Greece once called it the scent of Aphrodite. I *think* the general idea was that she had the flowers in her bouquet, though if it was a fertility symbol, the myrtle leaves would do just as well, I suppose! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
On 26/11/04 7:47 pm, in article , "Mike Lyle"
wrote: snip Surely the Victorians knew how to get things out of season as well as we do? (I'm not claiming to know you could do it with myrtle; but if it can be done, they could.) Could be - the myrtles we have are pretty tall, apart from M. ugni, so a high greenhouse, orangerie, conservatory, or whatever would be needed. It's just that we can't see why you'd force M. communis to flower in February, if others are actually flowering and available naturally. For those interested, I found this list of the meaning of flowers: http://www.weddingguideuk.com/articl...asp#symbolicme aning -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
In article , Sacha
writes On 26/11/04 7:47 pm, in article , "Mike Lyle" wrote: snip Surely the Victorians knew how to get things out of season as well as we do? (I'm not claiming to know you could do it with myrtle; but if it can be done, they could.) Could be - the myrtles we have are pretty tall, apart from M. ugni, so a high greenhouse, orangerie, conservatory, or whatever would be needed. It's just that we can't see why you'd force M. communis to flower in February, if others are actually flowering and available naturally. But wee the others available? What was the date of introduction of all of them? -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
Sacha wrote:
Could be - the myrtles we have are pretty tall, apart from M. ugni, so a high greenhouse, orangerie, conservatory, or whatever would be needed. It's just that we can't see why you'd force M. communis to flower in February... We used to grow Myrtus communis ssp. tarentina 'Microphylla' as a dwarf flowering pot plant and brought it into gentle heat after Christmas to get early flowering in February and March. By bringing plants in successionally from cold, but frost-free cover, it was possible to have them in flower over a very long period. I never tried with the straight species, but it responds very well to control by annual pruning and I see no reason why it could not have been treated similarly. Very first flowers out of doors here in Torquay usually start in late February, whereas the bush I had growing against a house wall in the Midlands never showed much before mid May. As to Ugni fruit Sacha, if fully and completely sun-ripened, they are utterly lush steeped for an hour or so in Kirsch with sugar and then eaten with cream!!!! Dave Poole Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C. Growing season: March - November |
On 27/11/04 3:44, in article ,
"Dave Poole" wrote: Sacha wrote: Could be - the myrtles we have are pretty tall, apart from M. ugni, so a high greenhouse, orangerie, conservatory, or whatever would be needed. It's just that we can't see why you'd force M. communis to flower in February... We used to grow Myrtus communis ssp. tarentina 'Microphylla' as a dwarf flowering pot plant and brought it into gentle heat after Christmas to get early flowering in February and March. By bringing plants in successionally from cold, but frost-free cover, it was possible to have them in flower over a very long period. I never tried with the straight species, but it responds very well to control by annual pruning and I see no reason why it could not have been treated similarly. Very first flowers out of doors here in Torquay usually start in late February, whereas the bush I had growing against a house wall in the Midlands never showed much before mid May. That sounds a distinct possibility, then. As to Ugni fruit Sacha, if fully and completely sun-ripened, they are utterly lush steeped for an hour or so in Kirsch with sugar and then eaten with cream!!!! I'll remember that if we get enough sun to ripen them! Not much chance this year, I think. Many thanks to all who've answered. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
Sacha wrote..........."Someone in Greece once called it the scent of
Aphrodite. I *think* the general idea was that she had the flowers in her bouquet, though if it was a fertility symbol, the myrtle leaves would do just as well, I suppose! .........." Well if was for fertility it certainly worked. |
Used to grow this in Islington. The berries that ripened were absolutely
delicious. Strongly recommended if you have a sunny spot. |
Myrtus Ugni berries are edible. Apparently Queen Victoria loved them. Mine fruited for the first time this year but the berries are small and hard. To get a good crop I suspect you have to water them well during summer. They do smell like strawberries and the fatter deeper red ones are sweet.
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