The Morelle de Balbis (AKA Litchi tomato) was first grown in America as an ornamental plant since the 19th century, but it’s history goes back further.
Originally from South America, and was a part of indigenous cooking for hundreds of years. It was then rediscovered by French botanist Michel Felix Dunal who used nomenclature, giving it the common French name Morelle de Balbis (morelle is a French word for a nightshade plant; Balbis refers to the plant’s Spanish origin). The Litchi tomato has intrigued gardeners all over the world for its unusual thorn covered foliage, and husk covered fruit similar to a tomatillo, and because of its varied applications in the kitchen.
The fruit are small berry sized with a flavor of sour cherries and a hint of tomato.
The fruit is great for jams, and sauces, but has also been used for wine and sorbet. The fruits are dark red yet the interior flesh is yellow and full of tiny flat seeds which are hard like those of raspberries.