Ted's Red

Ted's Red is one of New Zealand's most popular and widely grown tamarillo varieties, producing large, round, bright red fruit with a classic tangy, acidic flavour. The red-skinned tamarillo varieties, including Ted's Red, are generally sharper and more acidic than the gold varieties, with yellow-orange flesh and black seeds. The tamarillo name itself was coined in New Zealand in 1967, and the red-fruited variety was first bred locally in the 1920s, making it a genuinely NZ-rooted fruit. Clusters of fragrant pink flowers appear within 18 months of planting, followed by fruit that ripens during the winter months from May to July. Fast growing, reaching around 3 metres, and frost tender, so plant in a warm, sheltered position with protection from heavy frosts and strong winds. All tamarillos are self-fertile. Plant a new tamarillo every two to three years to maintain a continuous supply as trees are relatively short-lived.