Canistel, also known as Eggfruit, Yellow Sapote or Tiesa, is a tropical evergreen tree that produces a delicious fruit with a really unique flavor. Canistel fruit tastes like maple syrup coated sweet potatoes with a texture that's simultaneously smooth, dry, creamy, and flaky. This grafted Fairchild #2 Canistel cultivar produces a slightly smaller fruit than other varieties, but can be harvested year-round! The fruit is deliciously moist, not at all chalky, and has a great quality flavor. Canistel fruit should typically be harvested when fruit turn yellow-orange. Allow fruit 3 to 10 days to ripen at room temperature. Ripe fruit is soft but not super mushy.
Canistel is commonly found in Southern Mexico, Central America, parts of Southeast Asia and tropical biomes throughout the world. In the wild it can generally be found in wetland forests in areas of low elevation. Canistel can grow well in a container as long as you provide enough space for root growth. If taking on the task of growing this tropical fruit tree in colder climates, can be dwarfed with the right amount of commitment and can be overwintered indoors.