HAVE you ever eaten jujubes?
Jujube trees, scientifically known as Ziziphus jujuba, thrive in warm climates, making Australia an ideal location for cultivation.
While they are still a relatively new fruit for Australian consumers, jujubes have a long history in Asia where they have been consumed for hundreds of years.
Australian crops were first planted by David and Val McCarthy in 1993 when they developed the country’s first ever commercial jujube orchard.
The McCarthy’s son Bernard has now taken the reins and continues to propagate and grow jujube trees on a property near Mildura in Victoria.
The fruit of a jujube tree is small and sweet tasting.
Their taste is described as being a sweet apple like flavour.
When dried they have a chewy texture and taste similar to dates.
They are also known as Chinese date, Chinese jujube and red date.
According to Jujube Australia these fruits have health benefits and are packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids and phenolics.
They have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years and are said to relax the body and calm the mind.
The McCarthys sell different types of the fruit, Winter Wonder, Chico, Pear, Li and Shuimer.
The harvested fruits are washed and dried using commercial electric dehydrators before being shipped to markets Australia wide.