Sapodilla is part of the Sapotaceae family, which also includes Mamey Sapote, Canistel, Milk Fruit, Abiu, and Green Sapote. Sapodilla is native to Yucatan. Southern Mexico, Northern Belize, and Northeastern Guatemala It grows in forests and has been cultivated since ancient times. European traders took seeds to many parts of the tropics, including the Philippines, and sapodilla is now grown in tropical areas around the world, where it is known by many names.
India is the world's largest commercial producer of the Sapote.
The sapodilla is a slow-growing, tough, and long-lived tree. A sapodilla tree can eventually grow to 100 feet tall with a trunk diameter of about 5 feet. But trees in cultivation are much smaller. Sapodilla is hardy and wind-tolerant, which enables it to withstand hurricanes. It's what makes the tree so tough that branches that split from wind and the weight of fruit will survive and still support normal amounts of fruit and foliage for many years, sometimes for the life of the tree.
The tree is usually pruned and kept at height of maximun 5 metres for easy harvest.
The tree is very attractive. It has small, glossy, green leaves and new leaves. have a red tinge, and typically, sapodilla trees fruit heavily every year; a mature tree can produce more than 3,000 fruits. Some abilities can adapt to and thrive in many different environments around the tropics and subtropics. Though the sapote trees are very drought-tolerant, they grow best in areas with regular rainfall.
- Origin: Central America (Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala)
- Common names: Sapote, Mamey Sapote, Mamey
- Botanical family: Sapotaceae
- Edibility rating: 10/10
- Health Benefits: 8/10
- Maturity period: Seedlings: 6-8 years, Vegetative propagation: 3-4 years
- Fruiting season: Spring to summer (In India: February to May)
- Growing in containers: Possible
- Sunlight requirement: Full sun to light shade
- Growth habit type: Tree
- Average Height: 40-60 feet (12-18 meters)
- Average width (canopy span): 30-40 feet (9-12 meters)
- Growth rate: Medium
- Ease of growing: Moderate
Fruit description and taste
The fruit has a rough, brown skin. When scratched on the skin, immature fruit will produce latex. Mature fruit is sweet; the degree of sweetness depends on the variety. The fruit size varies from 2 to 4 inches. Though mostly round in shape, some varieties have oblong-shaped fruits.
Nutritional Value
Nutritional values for sapodilla vary quite a bit by variety. In general, the fruit is high in sugar and has a fair amount of vitamin C. Additionally, it has some protein and fat. Riboflavin niacin pantothenic acid. B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, and Zinc
Common names:
Chikoo, Chiku - India, Pakistan, Baramasi - Bengal (India), Chico - Philppines, Nispero - Central America, Zapotillo - Mexico, Sapoti - Brazil, Zapote - Honduras
