Umbu Fruit and Tree
Umbu tree: a symbol of Sertão preservation
The umbu trees seen nowadays in the Sertão are more than one hundred years old. Their fruit are rich in vtamin C, and their roots, which are water deposits, have been used as resistance strategy in the Canudos War (1896/97). Due to such potential, the tree has been called by Brasilian author Euclides da Cunha the “sacred tree of Sertão”. But the lack of conscience and preservation puts that species under the risk of extinction. What most people do not realize is that the preservation of this tree also means the preservation of Caatinga itself, biome which suffers with the degradation and threat of desertification. The protection of the umbu tree contributes to proper stewardship of natural resources of the Semi-arid, in addition to generating work and income. For this reason, the use of GRAVETERO products, made of cultivated umbu fruits, and under proper post-harvest and stewardship conditions, is a way of supporting a project wich ensures the sustainable development of this culture.
If you have never tasted umbu or its sweets, it is worth trying. The fruit has a sour taste that runs through your mouth, awakening the palate and providing that “I want more” feeling.
