Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota)

Family: Sapotaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Manilkara zapota or commonly known as Sapodilla is a slow-growing evergreen tree growing about 18 - 30 m in height and 1.5 m in trunk diameter. It is long-lived and native to southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The leaves are green, glossy, elliptical to oval in shape, and alternately arranged. The flowers are white and bell-like.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Leaves, Sap/Syrup

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet, slightly acid and totally delicious, with the flavour of pears, cinnamon and brown sugar combined. — The fruit can be eaten raw, or used in making sherbets, custard, ice cream, pies, jams, jellies etc.; Slightly larger than a plum, when fully ripe, the flesh is soft, very sweet, slightly acid and totally delicious, with the flavour of pears, cinnamon and brown sugar combined.; The fruit contains tannin, which is astringent.; In order to be at its best, the fruit needs to be eaten when it is absolutely ripe and has lost that astringency, and so it is difficult to grow commercially.

Habitat & North American Range

Lowland and coastal forests. (Zone 10)