Syzygium samarangense

Syzygium samarangense is a tropical tree growing to {{Convert|12|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, with evergreen leaves {{Convert|10|-|25|cm|in|abbr=on|0}} long and {{Convert|5|-|10|cm|in|abbr=on|0}} broad. The leaves are elliptical, but rounded at the base; they are aromatic when crushed. The trunk is relatively short, with a wide {{En dash}} yet open {{En dash}} crown starting low on the tree. The bark is pinkish-gray in color, and flakes readily.{{Cite web|url=https://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/special-pages/plant-detail.aspx?id=4150|title=Syzygium samarangense|website=Singapore National Parks}}

The flowers are white to yellowish-white, {{convert|2.5|cm|in|abbr=on|0}} diameter, with four petals and numerous stamens. They form in panicles of between three and 30 near branch tips. The resulting fruit is a bell-shaped, edible berry, with colors ranging from white, pale green, or green to red, purple, or crimson, to deep purple or even black. The fruit grows {{Convert|4|-|6|cm|in|abbr=on|1}} long in wild plants, and has four fleshy calyx lobes at the tip. The skin is thin, and the flesh is white and spongy. Each berry holds one or two rounded seeds not larger than {{Convert|.8|cm|in|abbr=on|1}}. The flowers and resulting fruit are not limited to the axils of the leaves, and can appear on nearly any point on the surface of the trunk and branches. When mature, the tree is considered a heavy bearer, yielding up to 700 fruits in a crop.

When ripe, the fruit puff outwards, with a slight concavity in the middle of the underside of the "bell". Healthy wax apples have a light sheen to them. Despite its name, a ripe wax apple only resembles an apple on the outside in color. It does not taste like an apple, and it has neither the fragrance nor the density of an apple. Its flavor is similar to a snow pear, and the liquid-to-flesh ratio of the wax apple is comparable to a watermelon. Unlike either apple or watermelon, the wax apple's flesh has a very loose weave. The very middle holds a seed situated in a sort of cotton candy-like mesh. This mesh is edible, but flavorless. The color of its juice depends on the cultivar; it may be purple to entirely colorless.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}}

{{Nutritional value |float=right| name=Rose-apples, raw

| kcal=25

| kJ=105

| protein=0.60 g

| fat=0.30 g

| carbs=5.70 g

| calcium_mg=29

| iron_mg=0.07

| magnesium_mg=5

| phosphorus_mg=8

| potassium_mg=123

| sodium_mg=0

| zinc_mg=0.06

| vitC_mg=22.3

| thiamin_mg=0.020

| riboflavin_mg=0.030

| niacin_mg=0.800

| cholesterol = 0 mg

| note=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160701165224/https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2381?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=&qlookup=rose+apple Link to Full Nutrient Report of USDA Database entry]

}}

Several cultivars with larger fruit have been selected. In general, the paler or darker the color, the sweeter it is.{{clarify|date=October 2016}}

In Southeast Asia, the black ones are nicknamed "Black Pearl" or "Black Diamond", while the very pale greenish-white ones, called "Pearl", are among the highest-priced ones in fruit markets. The fruit is often served uncut, but with the core removed, to preserve the unique bell-shaped presentation.

In the Indian Ocean islands cuisine, the fruit is frequently used in salads, as well as in lightly sautéed dishes. It is mainly eaten as a fruit and also used to make pickles called chambakka achar.{{cite web|title=Kerala style Chambakka Achar(Kerala Style Love Apple Pickle)|date=27 February 2023|url=https://secretindianrecipe.com/recipe/kerala-style-chambakka-acharkerala-style-love-apple-pickle|ref={{sfnref|Indian Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes|2023}}|access-date=1 March 2025}}

In the Philippines, its local name is macopa or makopa. Its precolonial name is dambo. Because of their similarity in appearance, it is often confused with tambis (Syzygium aqueum),{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cjHCoMQNkcgC|title=The Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts|last1=Janick|first1=Jules|last2=Paull|first2=Robert|publisher=CABI|year=2008|pages=552, 553|isbn=9780851996387}} although the latter is more commonly cultivated.

File:2014-04-26 Syzygium samarangense 04 anagoria.JPG|Cross-section of the fruit

File:2014-04-26_Syzygium_samarangense_01_anagoria.JPG|Fruit packed for sale

File:Bell_Fruit_-_%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%AE%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA_04.JPG|Fruit in the tree

File:Taiwan_fruits.jpg|Fruit for sale

File:Jambakai01.jpg|Fruit in Puducherry

File:Jambakai02.jpg|Tree in Puducherry

File:Wax apple (Syzygium samarangense).jpg|Red variety of fruit

File:Wax apple (Syzygium samarangense) with leaves.jpg|Fruit with leaves

File:Wax apple (Syzygium samarangense) Tree lower trunk.jpg|Lower trunk

File:Lainwu (Wax apple) diamond P00063.JPG|"Black Pearl" wax apple

File:Fruits of Syzygium samarangense at a street-side shop in Jagadishpur Hat, West Bengal, India.jpg|Fruits of Syzygium samarangense, for sale in West Bengal, India.

File:Wax apple2.jpg

File:Man trang.jpg

{{Commons category|Syzygium samarangense}}

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samarangense

Category:Flora of tropical Asia

Category:Flora of Vanuatu

Category:Tropical fruit

Category:Plants described in 1827

Category:Austronesian agriculture