araca

/ɑɹəˈsɑ/

Etymology

From Old Tupi arasá, probably via Portuguese araçá.

Why this word is great

**Araca** Araca refers to any of several Brazilian trees or their small, tart guava fruits, particularly *Psidium cattleyanum* (strawberry guava) and *Eugenia stipitata* (araçá-boi). From Old Tupi *arasá* ("guava"), likely via Portuguese *araçá*. Unlike the common guava (*Psidium guajava*) with its musky sweetness, or the pineapple guava (*Feijoa sellowiana*) with floral notes, araca fruits cluster like lanterns—waxy-skinned, seedy, and explosively tangy when ripe. A staple in Amazonian preserves, never to be mistaken for the fiery *arrack* of distant distilleries.

noun

  1. Any of a number of Brazilian trees or the pear-like, apple-shaped guava fruits they bear: Psidium cattleyanum (syn. Psidium araca; (cherry guava, strawberry guava), or another Psidium (guava), or Mosiera guineensis (Brazilian guave), or Eugenia stipitata.“Of the Araca trees are great abundance, of many sorts; the fruit is certaine small Peares, […]”