September – Quandong
| Common Name: | Quandong; Sweet Quandong, Wild Peach, Desert Peach, Native Peach, Guwandhuna, Gutchu, Wanjanu, Mangata, Goorti, Wadjal (Aboriginal names) | |
| Botanical Name: | Santalum acuminatum | |
| Part Used: | Mature ripe fruit or fruit pulp | |
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| Photos | Quandong ready for picking | Picked quandongs |
| Ripe fruit | Plantation fruiting trees | |
| Seasonality: | Fruit is harvested from the wild or orchards between August and December. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nutritional Values: |
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| History of Use: | Fossilised Quandongs have been found in the coal seams of Southern Victoria dating back 40 million years ago. Quandong has been a staple food of the Aboriginal population; surplus fruit was collected and dried for up to 8 years for later consumption. Dried Quandongs were reconstituted in water when needed. Quandong was a welcome food source for early white settlers (Weber, 1997; Clarke, 2007; Gould, 1969; Cribb, 1974). The name ‘quandong’ was one of 400 aboriginal words adopted by white settlers into the Australian English language from the Wiradhuri languages of south-western NSW in 1836 (Moore) After gathering Quandongs the peeled fruit was used to make a variety of jams, chutneys and Quandong pies. Such treats were often the only delicacies to be had- especially during drought and the depression years when money was short. Today successive generations of rural Australians continue with their Quandong picking traditions.” (Nullarbor, 2008; Pike, 2002; Jane, 2006; Hollingworth, 1999; Heuzenroeder,2006; Cribb, 1974; Eyre, 1845; Turner-Graham, 2006;) Commercialisation began 30 years ago and since 1973 CSIRO Australia is researching improved commercial cultivars. RIRDC, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation views this crop as one of the most important native food crops currently being developed and has committed core funds for further research (Koop, 2000). |
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| Flavour profiles: | Aroma of dry lentils or beans with some earthy fermented notes. Taste is slighlty sour and salty. The fruit is usually dry textured, tart tasting and sweetness can vary greatly between trees. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Products available: | Quandong is used in products such as jams, preserves, sauces, relishes, juices, deserts and ice cream. Contemporary uses and consumption is noted by Clarke, 2007; Jamerson, et al. 2008; Weldon, 2008; Kramer, 2008; Global Gourmet, 2007; Kingfisher Bay, 2008; Larder. 2007; Canberra Times; Jamerson et. al, 2008; Ridge, 1996; Cribb et. al, 2005; Etherington, 2008; Bodkin, 1995; Quandongs are a traditional Australian food according to FSANZ and are listed in the CODEX alimentarius (Codex, 2005). Quandongs haven been exported to various countries in the EU as a condiment since 1996. (Cherikoff, 2008). |
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| Recipes: | Find some fantastic Quandong recipes on the ANFIL website. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Essential oil profiles: | . | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Functionality: | Quandong shows high ORAC values and contains outstanding antioxidant substances.Konczak, I., Zabaras, D., Dunstan, M., Aguas, P., Roulfe, P. and Pavan, A., (2009), Health Benefits of Australian Native Foods, An evaluation of health-enhancing compounds. Rural Industries Research and development Corporation, RIRDC Pub. No. 09/133. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research: | Completed Project Integrated Pest Management for Quandong Moth, Report for the Rural Industries and Development Corporation by Kay Ferguson and Peter Bailey, RIRDC Pub No 01-172Soil biological constraints and benefits to quandong and other native food production. Report for the Rural Industries and Development Corporation by Rosemary Warren and Maarten Ryder, Dec 2003. RIRDC Pub No 03-138Genetic and agronomic improvement of quandong, Report for the Rural Industries and Development Corporation by Ben Lethbridge and Barbara Randell, RIRDC Pub No 03-110 DOOR for Quandong Production- A feasibility study. A Report for the Rural Industries and Development Corporation by Ben Lethbridge, July 2004, RIRDC Pub No W04/111. Cultivation and sustainable wild harvest of BUSHFOODS by Aboriginal Communities in Central Australia. Report for the Rural Industries and Development Corporation by Geoff Miers, 2004. RIRDC Pub No W03/124 |
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| Description: | A small native Australian tree variable in size from 2 to 8 m height found in the semi arid zones of Southern Australia. Quandong trees are tolerant of drought and salinity. Foliage is drooping in habit, light grey-green and somewhat leathery in appearance. Small greenish sometimes insignificant flowers in clusters occur from October to March. The tree is more noted for its brightly coloured red fruits ( 2-3 cm) with cream to white fruit fles. Flowers can be present while fruits are ripening. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Growing information: | Growing information Quangong seeds can be direct seeded or seeldlings may be cultivated in a nursery situation. When direct seeding at least 5 seeds should be planted on the outer watering ring of existing vegetation. With irrigation seedlings will emerge in the first year, although germination can be stimulated by good rainfalls. In the nursery special propagation techinques are required. Seeds should be sterilised by placing in 1/9 parts bleach/water/h or a broad spectrum biocide for pretreatment. Seeds then need washing in distilled water and paced in a small to medium zip top plastic bag filled with moistened vermiculite. Bags should be stored in an environment with a constant temperature 17-22 degrees.Germination may occur within 2 weeks in favourable conditions although seeds will continue to germinate for up to 9 months. On germination seedlings should be potted up with a host plant, allowed to establish prior to planting in the field.A parasitic plant the Quandong relies on a host plant to survive. In the nursery Myoporum parvifolium, Eremophila varieties, low growing acacias and a range of grasses can be used as host plants. Care needs to be biven when planting and in the first year. Best panting results have occurred when planting is undertaken in early spring. Problems can occur with root rot if over irrigated. Pest and diseases: Phytophthora or Pythium species cause root rotting Source: Author: Sibylla Hess-Buschmann. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. |
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