Imbu

imbu (or umbu) the fruit of the tree Spondias tuberosa, which grows wild in NE Brazil and is occasionally cultivated. It is described by Popenoe (1932) as the best of the genus (other members of which are the ambarella and the mombin).

Some trees are so productive that the fruit, when allowed to fall, forms a carpet of yellow upon the ground. In general appearance the imbu may be likened to a Green Gage plum. It is oval, about 1½ inches in length, and greenish yellow in colour. The skin is thicker than that of a plum, and quite tough. The flavor of the soft, melting, almost liquid flesh is suggestive of a sweet orange. If eaten before it is fully ripe, the fruit is slightly acid. … In its native home the imbu is eaten as a fresh fruit, and also furnishes a popular jelly. It is used besides to make imbuzada, a famous dessert of northern Brazil. This is prepared by adding the juice of the fruit to boiled sweet milk. The mixture is greenish white in color and when sweetened to taste is relished by nearly every one.