Don't forget these picks!
Awesome Product Name
Love it? Add to your wishlist
Your favorites, all in one place. Shop quickly and easily with the wishlist feature!
[title]
[message]Veliyath Gardens
Couldn't load pickup availability
Common Name: Black Velvet Jaboticaba, Veludo Negro
Botanical Name: Plinia sp. Veludo Negro
Among the countless fruit species found in South America’s tropical ecosystems, the Black Velvet Jaboticaba stands as an exquisite and lesser-known treasure. Indigenous to the Atlantic forests of Brazil, especially along the Jequitinhonha River Valley, this cultivar belongs to the celebrated Jaboticaba family but possesses unique features that set it apart.
This variety is now gaining recognition beyond its native range in selected fruit collections across Colombia, Panama, and slowly entering exotic plant nurseries in Asia—yet it remains rarely found, adding to its desirability among rare fruit seekers.
When fully ripe, the Black Velvet Jaboticaba produces small, round fruits that mature directly on its trunk and inner branches—a growth habit known as cauliflory. This phenomenon gives the tree a distinctive appearance, often compared to clusters of black pearls clinging to bark.
The fruit’s dark purple-to-black skin has a fine velvety sheen, earning it the name "Veludo Negro" (Black Velvet).
Inside, the flesh is translucent-white, soft, and juicy, encasing one or two small seeds.
The flavor is both mildly acidic and sweet, somewhat like a blend of grape, jaboticaba, and faint raspberry tones, with a refreshingly smooth mouthfeel.
This subtle complexity makes it highly enjoyable when eaten fresh, as well as in preserves, fermented drinks, syrups, and even artisanal desserts.
Despite its small size, this fruit is nutritionally dense. Regular consumption contributes to various aspects of wellness:
Polyphenols & Anthocyanins: Strong antioxidant agents that support cellular regeneration and slow aging.
Vitamin C: Promotes immune defense, wound healing, and skin firmness.
Iron & Potassium: Supports healthy blood circulation and muscle function.
Natural Dietary Fiber: Promotes digestion, helps regulate blood sugar, and improves gut health.
Traditional uses in rural Brazil include soothing coughs, easing inflammation, and promoting lung strength, especially during changing seasons.
Plant Type: Small evergreen tree or large shrub
Mature Height: Usually reaches 2–3 meters in containers, more in open soil
Climate Needs: Thrives in humid, tropical to subtropical regions, ideally in zones 9–11
Soil Preference: Grows best in rich, loamy, well-draining soils
Watering: Requires consistent moisture, especially during dry spells, but avoid standing water
Time to Fruit: Begins fruiting in 4 to 5 years with proper care
Sunlight: Prefers partial sunlight or filtered light, though tolerates full sun with adequate hydration
Container Friendly: Easily adaptable to large pots or raised beds
This is a moderate-maintenance plant, ideal for gardeners who enjoy nurturing a plant through steady, slow growth.
In its native Brazilian communities, Jaboticaba has long been revered not only for its flavor but for its symbolic role in family gatherings and seasonal rituals. Villagers celebrate the brief fruiting season by gathering under the trees to harvest and share the fruits—a reminder of communal ties and gratitude toward nature.
In folk medicine, the tree bark is sometimes boiled into herbal infusions, believed to purify blood and soothe respiratory discomfort.
Fresh: Consume within 2–3 days after harvest for peak flavor.
Refrigeration: Keeps well for up to 5–7 days when chilled.
Jams & Syrups: The skin can be slow-cooked with sugar to make richly colored, antioxidant-rich preserves.
Freezing: The inner pulp can be frozen and used later in smoothies or natural sorbets.
Fermented Beverages: Traditionally made into a light fruit wine, highly prized for its mellow taste.
Incorporating Black Velvet Jaboticaba into your garden is about more than cultivating an exotic fruit—it’s about reviving a nearly forgotten species with timeless appeal. Whether you are a rare fruit collector, a health-conscious grower, or someone simply in love with beautiful plants, this fruit tree is one of the finest choices to consider.
At Veliyath Gardens, we’ve witnessed a rapid surge in interest for Veludo Negro Jaboticaba, leading to frequent shortages. This rare fruit plant is not always available due to limited propagation and its slower growth habit. However, for those who manage to include it in their collection, the rewards are plenty—and timeless.
As part of our commitment to rare fruit knowledge-sharing, Veliyath Gardens serves as an encyclopedia of living plant wisdom, offering insights into exotic fruits never before widely introduced in Indian nurseries. We take pride in being a first-time initiative to spotlight such botanical rarities for garden enthusiasts across the region.
