"Florida Giant Purple" Surinam Cherry

[Jacob13]

Hello Friends,

I just wanted to share with you some pictures and thoughts on one of my Surinam Cherries.  The variety of this particular Surinam Cherry tree/bush is "Florida Giant Purple".  The fruit like the names implies is purple and much larger than a normal every day red surinam cherry.  In fact, I would say it is easily as large as a Bing cherry.  The great thing about this variety, other than its great color and size, is that there is absolutely no resinous flavor in them at all.  I have tasted many many surinam cherries from many different bushes and have tasted varying degrees of that resinous flavor so I am familiar with what that resinous flavor tastes like.  I can say with 100% certainty that this Surinam Cherry has absolutely no traces of resinous flavor or lingering after-taste.

Does anyone have this variety or have ever heard of this variety?

"Florida Giant Purple"

[Rtreid]

Jacob,

Can't say that I have ever heard of that particular variety, but it sure looks tasty.  I have always liked Surinam cherries but found the resinous after taste off putting. I think a fruit like  yours could be a real winner.

Richard

[fruitlovers]

Does look purple, but doesn't look giant?

[Jacob13]

I agree, I wouldn't say "Giant", but they are definitely larger than most Surinam cherries that I have come across.

[red durian]

Sounds fantastic.  I hope to grow that one some day.  Great colour.   It looks like a normal sized Suriname cherry to me, though, not large or giant.

[fruitlovers]

Sounds fantastic.  I hope to grow that one some day.  Great colour.   It looks like a normal sized Suriname cherry to me, though, not large or giant.

I agree. That surinam cherry looks like regular sized fruit to me also.

[BMc]

it looks a large size for a black type, but nothing more than average when compared to the red/orange ones around here. Some are really large, but all are awful! Size really doesnt matter with Surinam Cherries though, its the lack of resin that really counts.

[mangomandan]

So far I haven't seen Florida Giant Purple for sale in Florida.

Before the hurricanes of 2004 I had a Zill Black.  I found it very enjoyable, but I haven't tasted enough Surinams to compare it to others.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

sounds great!!!

the fruit looks ripe as can be!

have u tried eating them a bit early to see if you can taste some resin??

also where did u get the tree from? grafted?

thanks very much for sharing!

[ScottR]

Nice dark (black) surinam cherry, but I must admit not the biggest I've seen which was a variety called Louver was Orange County Centennial park CRFG demo-garden. Fruit was orange/red 1-1.250" in dia.

[Jacob13]

Ok Ok.........So its all in the name, and I didn't name it.  But I must add they are definitely larger than any red varieties I have come across here in California.

Adam - I have tried them a bit earlier and not as dark and still no Resin taste. I got this particular variety at Exotica Nursery in San Diego from Steve Spangler.  It was a rooted cutting. Would you like me to root a cutting for you?

MangomanDan - I also have a "Zill's Black" but it hasn't fruited for me yet.

Red Durian - I can save you some seeds of this variety or send you some rooted cuttings

Richard - I too have had some awful Surinam Cherries, but this one is great with no Resin taste at all.

 - Jacob

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Thanks for offering me a cutting!

But an even easier option is scions! 

I love to graft!

I can trade you some scions as well.

Adam - I have tried them a bit earlier and not as dark and still no Resin taste. I got this particular variety at Exotica Nursery in San Diego from Steve Spangler.  It was a rooted cutting. Would you like me to root a cutting for you?

 - Jacob

[lkailburn]

Sounds fantastic!

[Rtreid]

Sounds like I need to make a trip to Exotica this weekend!

[rcardaman]

I eat a lot of surinam cherries and have grown to think of resinous as an "acquired taste".  Much like beer, black coffee, and feta cheese.  Having said that, a non-resinous variety has my mouth watering.  Is the "black beauty" (I think thats the name) cultivar non-resinous as well?

Richard

[fyliu]

Sounds like a good fruit. Hopefully my seedlings will give me a couple good quality fruits.

About Exotica... I'm sure you all heard various mislabeling stories so I'm just going to hope Jacob's plant is what it says. Great place to visit from what I've heard.