Brief Description
Tamarillo is a member of the Soloanaceae family, with potato, tomato, pepino and naranjilla. Once known as the 'Tree Tomato'. Native to the Andean region of Bolivia and north-west Argentina, the wild tamarillo seems to have all but disappeared from its native habitat. Tamarillos were first introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800’s from Asia. However, the red tamarillo was developed by an Auckland nurseryman in the 1920’s. It was not until the 2nd World War that substantial quantities were produced, then an increase in production with the horticultural boom in the 1970’s.
