focus on BUSH TOMATO centrale Part of an R&D program managed by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

Overview Bush tomatoes on Native to central Australia, bush tomato is a globular some A small desert , the bush tomato is found naturally 10–15 millimetres in size which in the Central Desert region of Australia – namely turns from green to yellow as it ripens. It is usually sun dried on Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern the bush before harvesting, when South Australia. it takes on a reddish colour. The fruit is primarily sourced via wild harvest, which It’s also commonly known as accounts for up to 80 per cent of production in good desert raisin and kutjera. years. Production is highly erratic from year-to-year, with good crops generally reported every five to eight years, Bush tomato has a reliable history Dried bush tomato with minor harvests in between. of traditional use, noted in one report as ‘probably the most important of all the Central Australian plant Demand has increased consistently in recent years foods’. Aboriginal names vary depending on language group but include and now significantly outstrips supply. It is estimated akatyerr, akatjurra, katyerr, kampurarrpa and yakajirri. that 8-10 tonnes of bush tomato are traded each year, These communities continue to play a key role in the industry, where although there have been reports of 15-20 tonnes in wild harvest remains the major source of production. Going forward, a high yield years. key challenge will be finding the balance between the commercialisation There has been increased interest in cultivation as a and the protection of strong Indigenous culture and intellectual property means to alleviate tight supplies and overcome rights. production variability. This has been undertaken largely Many see the continuing expansion of plantations as vital to increasing in partnership with Aboriginal communities on supply to meet current demand. Aboriginal land in South Australia and the Northern Bush tomato has a strong savoury caramelised flavour that lends itself Territory. to use as a spice and food flavouring. As well as being dried whole, it is It has proven to be a difficult crop to commercialise commonly ground into a powder or processed into value-added products due to the high costs of production and the low and such as chutney. inconsistent yields of seed-raised . It is a good source of selenium, potassium and iron.

RURAL INDUSTRIES R&D CORPORATION industry overview 1 focus on: native foods R&D

Growing Bush Tomato GROWING REGIONS Bush tomato is naturally suited to low rainfall areas with lighter, well-drained soils. For commercial plantings, the soil should be ripped and mounded to aid drainage, especially in heavier soils and cooler environments.

It is susceptible to frost, so best grown as a perennial in warm, dry, frost-free or low frost-risk locations.

Irrigation is recommended if natural rainfall is not adequate, as this has proven to promote plant growth and stimulate fruit production. The plant also appears to have a reasonable tolerance to saline water. Harvesting Correct plant identification is essential, as there are closely related species which produce poisonous . Green fruits should also be avoided because they contain toxins similar to those found in green potatoes. Yellow and mature dried fruits have very low, acceptable levels of the toxin.

In summer, individual plants very often carry all stages of fruit development Source: The New Crops Industries Handbook – Native foods from flowering through to ripe fruit. It is therefore more efficient to harvest late in the season when the fruit is more uniformly ripe - when it is either FLAVOUR PROFILE dried or at least yellow in colour and ideally when it reaches a rich ochre brown.

Wild harvest is largely done by hand, and mostly by Aboriginal women. The quality of their fruit has been observed to be higher than that from mechanised harvest and non-Aboriginal pickers. ...savoury caramelised

Mechanical harvesting is more common on commercialised plantations, with aroma of carob; the adaptation and modification of grain crop headers. Mechanical harvesting some cereal notes... can impact fruit quality and introduce rubbish into the product which can be problematic for processors. Mechanical harvesting can also damage the fruit a savoury taste... which can be a problem particularly if the crop needs to be transported.

Once harvested, fruit that has not reached a very dry state or is still yellowish in colour will need to be further dried. NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION Food uses (per 100 grams (per 100 grams Bush tomato is proving to be one of the most marketable products emerging dry weight) dry weight) from the Australian native foods industry. Energy 998 Kj Zinc (Zn) 1.850 mg While the mature yellow fruit can be eaten fresh, bush tomato is usually H20 - Magnesium (Mg) 160.3 mg used in its dried form. It has a distinctive raisin / caramel introduction with a strong spicy aftertaste, making it ideal for chutneys, curries, salsas and as a Protein 10.3 g Calcium (ca) 117.05 mg crust on meat. Total fat 6.0 g Iron (Fe) 26.50 mg

Ground, it can be found in bread mixes, herb blends, pasta, relishes, Total saturated 1.5 g Selenium (Se) 6.65 µg dressings, sauces and dukkah. fatty acids A major strength of the bush tomato is its unique and intense flavour, which Carbohydrates 29.2 g Phosphorus (P) 256.5 mg retains its integrity in many applications and in relatively small ratios to Sugar (total) 29.0 g Sodium (Na) 4.66 mg total ingredient mass. This characteristic is a double-edged sword: it is an attractive ingredient providing a distinctive flavour at a relatively Fibre - Potassium (K) 2251 mg economical use and cost, but relatively small quantities are currently Manganese (Mn) 1.315 mg required by the food industry. Copper (Cu) 0.732 mg Products are available in specialty tourism and food service outlets, but Molybdenum (Mo) 18.4 µg its presence is increasing in mainstream supermarkets. The export market is also important, with seasonings and flavourings available throughout K : Na 14.9 Europe, the UK and Asia.

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Health benefits Bush tomato is one of few native foods reported to contain selenium, a rare mineral which plays a key role in the metabolism and has antioxidant properties.

Bush tomato has superior antioxidant capacity compared to the blueberry, which is renowned worldwide as the ‘health-promoting fruit’.

Antioxidants are believed to hold a number of benefits for human health, potentially preventing and delaying diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Bush tomato is also rich in iron and contains vitamin E, folate, zinc, magnesium and calcium, and has a high potassium:sodium ratio which may be researched to see if it may help to reduce hypertension. Source Health benefits of Australian Native Foods Fresh berries also contain Vitamin C.

For more information This fact sheet is one of a series summarising Native Foods R&D from 2007 to 2012. In a partnership between government and industry, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and Australian Native Food Industry Limited (ANFIL) are working towards an innovative, profitable and sustainable Native Foods industry.

Australian Native Food Industry Limited (ANFIL) was The Rural Industries Research & Development formed in 2006 and is the peak national body which Corporation (RIRDC) is a statutory authority represents all interests in the rapidly growing Australian established to work with industry to invest in research native food industry. ANFIL has taken the lead in and development for a more profitable, sustainable and working with industry, governments and other dynamic rural sector. organisations to determine and prioritise research and market development strategies to progress the industry. Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Phone: 02 6271 4100 web: www.anfil.org.au email: [email protected] email: [email protected] web: www.rirdc.gov.au Australian Native Food Industry Ltd 3866 Channel Highway Woodbridge Tasmania 7162 Australia

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken in preparing this article, neither RIRDC nor the authors accept any responsibility or liability for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained in this article. Readers should make their own detailed inquiries and obtain professional advice before making any commercial decisions based on information contained in this article.

ISBN: 978-1-74254-728-2 Pub. No. 14/111

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