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Description
Sweet, Caramel-Flavored Tropical Fruit Tree
Common Names: Sapodilla, Chico, Naseberry, Nispero, Chicle
Family: Sapotaceae
Origin: Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) is a tropical fruit tree that produces sweet, brown-skinned fruits with a flavor often compared to caramel or brown sugar. This seedling-grown variety of Sapodilla is perfect for home gardeners looking to grow their own tropical fruit. Sapodilla trees are known for their dense, evergreen foliage and resilience, thriving in warm climates. The fruit is highly prized for its sweet, grainy flesh and is often eaten fresh or used in smoothies and desserts. In addition to its delicious fruit, the tree has a long history of use in the production of chicle, the natural gum once used in chewing gum.
Distinctive Features, Uses, and Nutritional Value
Fruits: Sapodilla produces small to medium, round or oval fruits with a rough brown skin. The flesh inside is sweet, juicy, and slightly grainy, with a flavor reminiscent of caramel or pear. Each fruit contains several smooth, black seeds. Sapodilla is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients, making it a healthy, energy-boosting fruit.
Foliage: The tree features glossy, dark green, elliptical leaves that remain evergreen year-round, providing a lush, tropical look to any garden.
Growth Habit: Sapodilla is a slow-growing, evergreen tree that can reach heights of 30-50 feet in its native habitat, though it can be pruned to maintain a more compact size in home gardens.
Seedling Sapodillas can fruit within 3-5 years! Seedlings can easily be grafted on to with the scion of your choice. Fruit trees grown from seed even tend to develop a deeper, more extensive root system, which may make them more resilient and longer-lived compared to grafted trees.
Culinary and Ornamental Uses
Sapodilla is primarily enjoyed fresh due to its natural sweetness. The fruit is commonly eaten on its own or added to smoothies, ice creams, and other desserts. Its rich, caramel-like flavor also makes it a popular ingredient in fruit salads. The tree itself is a beautiful ornamental plant, with its dense foliage and sturdy structure adding year-round greenery to tropical landscapes.
