If you walk through a field in Tuscany, or along a residential street in Portland, you may find a tree with fruits in the form of small red balls. This Arbutus unedo is a tree that is native to the Mediterranean, but is also a popular ornamental plant in the Northwest United States. These lychee-like balls usually rot in the backyards of homeowners, who are often unaware that they not only taste good in jams and liqueurs, but also serve as powerful symbols in funeral rites and politics.
So, what do you need to know about the so-called strawberry tree and its fruits?
The fruit is called "the fruit of the strawberry tree" (not to be confused with Myrica rubra or Muntingia calabura, which also have a nickname) because of its species. But upon closer inspection, these fruits are rounder and contain tiny bristle-like projections.
The flesh itself tastes like a soft peach. It has sweetness, slightly sourness and a soft but gritty texture thanks to its tiny seeds. But if you sift the pulp, cook with sugar and lemon juice, you can turn it into a delicious jam. In Portugal, where the plant is known as medronhos, farmers in the Algarve region make a brandy based on the fruit called aguardente de medronhos. The fruit is also a key ingredient in the Portuguese Dom Cristina honey liqueur (also known as Brandymel). Sardinians make bitter honey (miele di corbezzolo) from strawberry trees, and grappa from honey and fruits.
But the meaning of Arbutus unedo extends beyond cuisine or wine. The ancient Romans weaved branches together during funeral marches. Later, in 13th century Madrid, the tree became a symbol of property disputes between the city council and the clergy. According to local lore, after the king gave the council control of the forests, they revised the coat of arms of Madrid to reflect their new ownership. The design, which previously featured a lone bear, now featured a bear foraging from a strawberry tree. This symbol has survived to this day, the most famous of which is the large bronze statue of El Oso and El Madroño ("Bear and Strawberry Tree") located in the center of Madrid.
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Since the fruit of the strawberry tree decays very quickly, you probably won't find it on the market. They most often do not leave their homes in the Mediterranean and Pacific Northwest and are best used soon after being removed from the tree. Large amounts of fructose can cause the fruit to ferment on the tree, so eating too much overripe fruit can cause drunkenness in humans and animals. You should also avoid unripe fruits, which can cause nausea. Properly ripe fruits should be bright red and squeezed under gentle pressure without being too soft.