Regional Flavours: Achacha, sweeter version of lychee, has largest plantation of the world in Queensland

On a plantation just south of Townsville a globetrotting couple have established a beach head for an exotic fruit — the Achacha — a food they intend to make as much part of the national palate as the mango.

Already given the seal of approval on MasterChef, where the celebrated Achacha tart recently made its debut, the fruit is native to Bolivia where its trees, largely grown in the Amazon Basin in the central region, have been jealously guarded for centuries.

Nearly one decade ago Bruce and Helen Hill convinced the Bolivian government to allow the iconic fruit to be grown commercially in Australia, and actually hammered out an extradition agreement which allows the Bolivians to keep a tight reign on commercial Achacha ventures abroad.

Shortening the name from Achachairu or “Honey Kiss’’ to the more manageable Achacha the Hills now preside over the largest Achacha plantation on the planet.

Crates of the fruit are regularly trucked into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane while a growing Asian appetite for the fruit which tastes like a sweeter version of a lychee is underwriting a profitable business model.

Achacha is taking top chefs and restaurants by storm. Picture: Mark Calleja

But with proven health benefits including exceptionally low natural sugar levels for a sweet fruit, which make it a favourite of diabetics, as well as a Sydney University study pointing to proven cardiovascular benefits, the Hills are evangelical about a food they believe is a natural fit to tropical North Queensland.

A drink derived from the Achacha has also been manufactured and should soon be commercially available.

“It tastes like a little bit of sunshine,’’ says Helen who tracks the sale of the fruit across the world by Facebook as agents in the Netherlands and France market Achacha in Europe.

“We recently sent three tonnes last year to (iconic British retailer) Marks and Spencer which found their way into households from Aberdeen to Cornwell,’’ Bruce says.

The Hills have travelled the world for nearly one quarter of a century and have four tertiary degrees between them, with Bruce a qualified engineer and Helen holding a degree in fine arts.

The Achacha is sweeter than the lychee and packs less sugar. Picture: Mark Calleja

They were seduced by the “magical fruit’’ when they visited South America, learning of the legends of Achachairu which suggest one Bolivian adventurer choose the fruit as his way to riches over gold.

Chemical free, using natural fertilisers and dedicated to traditional farming methods, the Hills are part of a rapidly growing community of 21st Century in the far north embracing the signature Regional Flavours food and lifestyle event.

Regional Flavours, celebrating chefs and industry experts as well as fresh produce from more than 80 of the state’s best food producers, is being held this weekend at Southbank.

Source: Brisbane Courier Mail, Michael Madigan, July 13^th 2015