Caribbean Market: Pommerac — Nutrition, Benefits & Uses
- Amber Alexis
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Pommerac pays tribute to the saying, "the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice", as many of its healthful compounds are found in its skin — the darker the fruit, the higher their concentration, and the more potential benefits for you.
February 3rd, 2026
Background
Alternate names: Otaheite apple, Jamaican apple, Malay apple, red jambo, rose apple
Syzygium malaccense (S. malaccense) — pommerac — is native to Southeast Asia but is now widely found across the Caribbean after it was introduced in the late 18th century.
The name "pommerac" comes from the French "pomme malac" which translates to "Malayan apple".
In the Caribbean, its main season runs from November to January/February, but may come into season again between May-June and/or August-September.
The under-ripe fruit is green, and it turns shade of pink-red-burgundy as it ripens — the darker its skin, the sweeter the fruit, and the higher the concentration of nutrients.
On the inside, the fruit is white with a fibrous but soft pulp and one large seed.
Uses
Pommerac can be eaten raw, but a popular Caribbean use is making "chow".
Chow is made with chopped fruit that is seasoned with salt, black pepper, chadon beni, garlic, hot peppers like scotch bonnet, and even salt prunes.
Other uses of pommerac include making jellies and beverages like juices and wine. `
Nutrition
The nutritional facts of pommerac — the specific quantities of nutrients per 100g or cup of the raw fruit — are not well-documented in the scientific literature.
However, a 2022 study of the mineral composition of pommerac (red jambo) found that it contains:
Calcium
Potassium
Iron
Magnesium
Mnganese
Sodium
Phosphorus
Strontium
Zinc
Other studies such as this 2021 editorial, 2021 lab study and 2022 mice study show that pommerac (S. malaccense) contains powerful polyphenols — protective compounds found in plants that may have beneficial effects in humans.
These polyphenols in pommerac are responsible for the red/purple colour of the fruit and include anthocyanins, catechins, gallic acid and myricetin.
Most of these polyphenols are found in the skin — so it would be quite beneficial for you to consume the fruit with the skin on.
Health benefits
The purported health benefits of pommerac are attributed to its high polyphenol content.
However, it's important to note that many studies were conducted in test tubes and mice using concentrated extracts from, or high volumes of, the fruit.
This simply means that human research is needed to help us understand how much of the fruit — raw or as a supplement — and in what timeframe we can expect to experience the following benefits.
This lack of human research however, does not take away from the healthful effects of eating pommerac.
Inflammation associated with chronic diseases
The anthocyanins found in pommerac (malay apple) are shown to reduce inflammation linked to the development of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Test tube studies found that the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compounds in pommerac also have antinociceptive benefits — they reduce pain.
Therefore, pommerac has been used in some cultures to treat inflammation and pain-related ailments.
These compounds were also shown to have antiglycant properties — reducing the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that are associated with skin aging and wrinkles.
So eating pommerac may keep you "looking young".
Blood sugar and insulin resistance
In addition to the dietary fiber content of the fruit — which is known to regulate blood sugar levels — anthocyanins have antidiabetic properties.
Specifically, they disrupt the transport of glucose (sugar) in the body, increase its excretion and lowers liver production of glucose.
These effects lead to increased insulin sensitivity and less insulin resistance — an underlying cause of high blood sugar, even in persons without diabetes.
Insulin is the hormone responsible for lowering glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Fat regulation and liver health
One of the most notable benefits of the anthocyanins found in pommerac (and other fruits like sorrel) is their ability to regulate lipids (fats) in the blood.
Research shows that they can lower total cholesterol, the "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase the activity of the "good" HDL cholesterol.
One study in mice found that these compounds reduced lipids (fats) in the blood and protected the liver from steatosis (fatty liver) by increasing the fecal excretion of lipids, cholesterol and bile acids in mice eating a high-fat diet.
These are exciting and promising findings for human health.
Other potential benefits
Pommerac (its polyphenols) may also provide potential benefits in the management of:
Neurodegenerative conditions
Some types of cancers
Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
Purchasing & Storage
When purchasing, inspect that the surroundings of the vendor are clean and well-lit, and that the fruit is free of holes and other damage that may pose a health risk.
Wash the fruit to remove any loose dirt or insects, or any of the pulp that may be on the outside that will attract flies.
To store, you can leave the pommerac on your counter-top for 3-4 days or refrigerate for 1-2 weeks (depends on how ripe the fruit is).
Takeaway
Pommerac is a tropical fruit that's found in Southeast Asia and throughout the Caribbean.
It's a source of dietary fiber, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc and potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory polyphenols.
These polyphenols have been studied in test tube and mice research and shown to have potential benefits linked to lowering inflammation, reducing pain, protecting against fatty liver and managing neurodegenerative conditions.
Human research is needed to help us understand how much of the fruit (raw or as a supplement) and in what timeframe we can expect to experience these benefits.
The Caribbean Market is a blog that highlights the nutritional facts and health benefits of fruits and vegetables commonly found in the Caribbean, with the goals of improving knowledge, promoting local eating and instilling pride and ownership among the Caribbean diaspora.
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