Black Chilean Guavas

Black Chilean guavas are a rare fruit in the myrtle family and a distant relative of cloves, allspice, and eucalyptus. Botanically classified as Ugni myricoides, they are like those guavas in the larger Psidium genus, but unique in that they are native to a more specific geographic region within Latin America. In fact, the petite berries have also earned the name 'Black Mexican guava', mainly due to an abundance of the plant in the state of Chiapas on the Mexico-Guatemala border. Their scientific name derived from the Mapuche Native American word “Uñi”, is also used to categorize their close cousin the red Chilean guava, U. molinae.

Black Chilean guavas are grown on multi-branched, 1 to 2-meter-tall trees that resemble shrubs more than true trees. When fully grown, the tiny fruits turn a deep burgundy to black hue and hang from short, brilliant green stalks. Although black Chilean guavas are often larger than red Chilean guavas, which resemble cranberries, they are still only around 2 cm in diameter. The berries have a sweet taste with flavors of strawberries, spice, bubblegum, and cotton candy, according to legend.