The Pichuberry® is native to the highlands of Peru, Chile, Colombia, and other countries along the Andes Mountains. To many, the Pichuberry® is known as the Lost Incan Crop. After being discovered, settlers began growing the Pichuberry® in Spain and England. The English settlers then used the crop in their colonization of modern-day South America. Around the year 1774, the Pichuberry® was cultivated by early settlers at the Cape of Good Hope. In South Africa, the Pichuberry® is commercially cultivated and common as jam. Canned whole fruits are staple commodities and are often exported. The Pichuberry® is cultivated and naturalized on a small scale in Gabon and other parts of Central Africa.
Soon after its adoption in the Cape of Good Hope, the Pichuberry® was carried to Australia, where acquired its other name "Cape Gooseberry". It was one of the few fresh fruits of the early settlers in New South Wales. There, the Pichuberry® has long been grown on a large scale and is abundantly naturalized, as it is also in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Tasmania.
Today, the Pichuberry® has become a popular delicacy in several continents including South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. In fact, France has integrated this fruit into its distinct culinary community.
MojoTree Farm, the parent company of Pichuberry®, is devoted to introducing the U.S markets to the most nutritious and unique culinary treasures from around the world. The Pichuberry® happens to be the initial, but exclusive project.
While native to Peru, the Pichuberry® is commercially grown in Colombia. In fact, Colombia happens to be a major component of the Pichuberry® project as it is currently the biggest commercial producer of Pichuberries.
Stern Produce is a key distribution partner for Pichuberry® facilitating transportation, warehouse logistics, and overall support throughout the US market launch of Pichuberry®,
The Pichuberry® team is in collaboration with biochemical and nutritional research departments at the University of Arizona.
Pichuberry® has established nationwide distribution capability by developing hubs all across the country in various regions including NJ, NYC, Seattle, Northern Cal, Phoenix, San Antonio, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Some people tend to confuse the Physalis Peruviana with the gooseberry fruit. It is important to point out the fact that there is no relationship between the Pichuberry® and the Gooseberry. As some know, the Pichuberry® is part of the Physalis plant family, while the Gooseberry is part of the Ribes family. The Physalis plant family is also known as the nightshade/tomato family, establishing the Pichuberry® as a distant cousin of the tomato and tomatillo.
The taste of the Pichuberry® is very much different than the Gooseberry. The Gooseberry is very tart and has an earthier taste than other fruits. The Pichuberry® taste profile is completely different. The Pichuberry® has a dynamic taste profile, starting with a sweet burst and then transitioning into a tart after-taste. Some people may describe the fruit as a dynamic tropical tomato because it does give off a tangy hint while you bite into it.
The Pichuberry® name has been developed to re-align the fruit with its native environment - Peru. The goal is to re-establish this fruit as "The Lost Incan Treasure". All of the currently known names for this fruit do not portray an accurate story of its origins. The Pichuberry® team will work to bring this fruit to a whole new level, making history in the areas of marketing, health research, as well as versatile recipes that will offer fit alternatives for the American diet.