Jaltomata Lambada

Sarahea "Lambada" is an exotic vegetable plant from the nightshade family, native to South America. It resembles blueberries or bilberries: bushes up to 30 cm high with branched stems and yellow-green flowers about 1 cm in diameter. Ripe berries are dark purple, almost black, with a slight bluish waxy bloom, measuring 7–10 mm in diameter and weighing approximately 2 g. The taste of the berries is a combination of grape and nut; the aroma resembles grapes, while the aftertaste is nutty. With proper cultivation, the fruits become sweeter and more intense.

For successful growth, sarahea requires fertile, well-drained soil with moderate moisture, but it does not tolerate waterlogging. The plant prefers plenty of light; the growing season in open ground or in a greenhouse is 100–120 days. Up to 1 kg of yield can be obtained per 1 m². Important care measures include: tying the stems for easier harvesting, suckering and pinching the top, as well as removing side shoots below the first fork to accelerate fruit ripening.

Sarahea "Lambada" has low susceptibility to diseases and pests, but may be affected by spider mites. When grown in a greenhouse, the fruits become sweeter and tastier, while in open ground they are less sweet. Berries should be consumed only when fully ripe; unripe berries contain solanine, which can cause food poisoning. The plant can be transplanted into pots for winter cultivation, but it does not tolerate cold and wilts at low temperatures.