In tropical areas, Cercospora fungi can be a major cause disease. The fruit undergoes rapid fermentation, and is typically unusable by 3-5 days. Unrefrigerated fruit develops mold quickly The best uses are direct eating, jams and jellies, and syrups. Juices, which are popular in Brazil, do not hold their sensory characteristics for extended periods. The fruit has also been used for baby food, as a supplement source for Vitamin C, as an ice cream and pop-sickle ingredient, and in many home recipes.
Frozen fruit falls apart when thawed.
In the tropics, there are typically 3 harvest periods per year. In more temperate areas, one and possibly 2 harvests occur. With regular irrigation, some fruit production may occur through much of the year. Eight year old trees can yield from 30 to 60 pounds of fruit. Productivity increases over a 15 to 20 year period, and then levels or declines.