Arbutus unedo

Plant part

Fruit

Product or use

Fresh

Round red fruits 1-2cm in diameter are produced in abundance in Autumn. It is often quoted that the name "unedo" comes from the Latin meaning "I eat one"^[3]:430^[9]:43^[6] however this is attributed by some to a lack of flavour^[2][3]:430 and by others to the fruits potential to become quickly alcoholic after it has ripened, fermenting while still on the tree. Opinions on the fruits value as an edible crop vary. The fruit is variously described as subtle but sweet and with a tropical texture^[9]:43 or conversely as bland and disappointing^[3]:430^[2].

Plant part

Fruit

Product or use

Jam

A jam or jelly can be made from the fresh red fruits. Care must be taken to pick the berries before they begin to ferment. For jelly, use a jellycloth to remove all seeds, or for a jam find a sieve or gauze with a mesh fine enough to remove the gritty seeds while allowing the majority of the pulp to pass through. The jam may ferment quickly once opened, so avoid large jars.

Plant part

Fruit

Product or use

Alcohol

In Portugal a distilled sprit (a brandy) is made from the fruit of Arbutus unedo, called aguardente de medronhos (sometimes, medronheiro). Fruit is harvested between September and November and placed in open-topped barrels (vasilhas) and water added to start the fermentation. To prevent a second fermentation (i.e., vinegar) a layer of mud (adobe) is put over the top to exclude oxygen. After 3-4 months the mass is transferred to a copper still, boiled and evaporated alcohol condensed and collected. "Better qualities of medronho under go multiple distillations". Usually, at least in the province of Algarve, the medronho is sold to licensed bottling companies who mix it with alcohol and "various essences".^[8]

Plant part

Leaves

Product or use

Astringent

The bark & leaves have been used historically for colds and stomach problems^[4]. The leaves, bark and root are astringent and diuretic^[10].

Plant part

Seeds

Product or use

Vasodialator

Plant part

Wood

Product or use

Fuel

Plant part

Wood

Product or use

Firewood

Arbutus wood makes a good firewood, burning hot and long^[4]. The bark can be used for tanning^[7]:117.

Plant part

Wood

Product or use

Furniture making

Plant part

Wood

Product or use

Turning

The timber of Arbutus unedo is a fine-grained pink hardwood. It's often gnarled and twisted trunks limits it's use as a timber for construction^[4], but it's close grain and unique pink colour may make it appropriate for fine woodworking^[5].

seed

cutting

Fruit

The fruit ripens in late autumn to water, producing an often abundant amount of fleshy red fruits 1-2cm in diameter. When red, often with an orange tint, soft, and easily removable from the tree, they are ripe. They can be hand picked but the even distribution of the fruit throughout the dense canopy can make this challenging. The fruit is very easily removed from the tree, however, and so can be harvested by laying out sheets on the ground surrounding it and shaking the branches.^[7]:117 The fruits are very soft and not storable. They will quickly ferment, and indeed some may have already fermented on the tree, so consume or process quickly.

Requires processing

Yes

Processing

While edible fresh, most reports echo that are are not overly pleasant to eat in quantity owing to a gritty texture and variable flavour from one fruit to another: some sweet and pleasant, others bland. In Spain and Portugal they are often distilled into a liquor called Madronho and they can also make a pleasant tasting jam or jelly. In the latter case, it is advisable to strain the pulp of the fruit to remove the copious gritty seeds.

Storable

No

slug

Identification

NIbbled bits of leaves are a dead giveaway.

Picture

Gundestrup.jpeg

Solution

BOWLS of beer!

Type

pest