Black Sapote (Diospyros digyna)

Family: Ebenaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Black sapote or Diospyros digyna is a tropical fruit tree native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Colombia. It is also known as chocolate pudding fruit, chocolate persimmon, and zapote prieto. It is evergreen that can grow up to 25 m in height with trunk diameter of up to 45 cm. It has a rounded crown, black bark, and glossy, dark green leaves. Its fruit is consumed raw when fully ripe and/or cooked.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich, dark chocolate brown in colour and somewhat sweet. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Bitter and astringent when unripe, it should not be eaten until it is fully ripe and soft.; Soft, rich, dark chocolate brown in colour and somewhat sweet.; The black mushy flesh is repulsive in appearance, reminding one of dirty axle grease.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry or wet mixed forest usually around sea level. (Zone 10)