Akee (Blighia sapida)

Family: Sapindaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

An evergreen fruiting tree named in honour of Captain Willima Blight of the Bounty mutiny. A very decorative, vigorous species. In Jamaica Akee, along with mango and breasfruit, is the most common backyard tree.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

nutty flavour, though they can soon become rancid. — Fruit - eaten raw when fully ripe.; The fleshy arils surrounding the seeds are firm and oily, with a nutty flavour, though they can soon become rancid.; The fleshy fruit can also be curried, used in soups, stews, etc.; The fruit is harvested when they have split open naturally, revealing four large glossy black seeds embedded in spongy, cream-coloured buttery arils.

Habitat & North American Range

Seasonally dry lowland woodland. Forest outliers on the savannah and drier parts of forests. (Zone 10)