What does Membrillo (Gustavia superba) taste like?

[Mike T]

A few years ago I shared some plants with friends of Membrillos which I has grown from seeds received from Jim West in Ecuador. Now they are flowering and being appreciated for both flowers and being a handsome tree I am getting enquiries as to the taste of the fruit. Having never tried the fruit I'd thought some of the seasoned campaigners here may have the answers I need as published info is hazy. I think I should have kept one for myself.

[HIfarm]

Any idea about how many years to flowering?  I'll be interested in hearing reports on the flavor, I've got a few seedlings.  The flowers are really impressive so, if for nothing else, I can find room for them for that.

John

[Nyuu]

If like Gustavia augusta going to be slow growing . slow as molasses in January

[Mike T]

That would be a bit over 4 years old and 6 or 7 feet high I think. yes it would be a good feature tree even if fruit didn't live up to expectations. While that tree has some small fruit I expect them to be the size of an orange when mature and much like a canistel inside.

[Hylo]

Beautiful new leaf colour at the moment too.

[Mike T]

I heard from Jim West just now and he says they are pretty good to eat and he has a number of species with good tasting fruit including G.longifolia which has flowers pictured above. Jim apparently can send seeds out now but maybe in a limited way and I presume he can receive them as well.

[aroideana]

Tastes disgusting .

[guaycuyacu]

it is an unusual fruit, savory not sweet, often eaten cooked.  it is a commercial fruit in the colombian chocó.  pacó is the local name.  ive hear others say they dont like it.  i like it ok, but G. macarenensis is my favorite of the gustavias, rich and oily.   but there also there are those who dont like it.

[shot]

It's good to have some savory fruits !Just sweeeet gets old .