Plant Database
Chico Sapote
Manilkara zapota,Sapodilla, Naseberry, chicle, Sapodilla Plum
The Chico Sapote, commonly known as Sapodilla, is a captivating tropical heirloom that rewards patience with a uniquely decadent flavor. This stately evergreen tree, the original source of chicle gum, bears rough, brown fruits that hide a secret: soft, melting flesh often described as a heavenly blend of brown sugar, caramel, and ripe pear. Its texture is uniquely granular yet smooth, and its sweetness is profound and complex. A slow-growing but incredibly hardy and drought-tolerant tree, the Sapodilla is a long-term investment for a taste of the tropics that can't be found in stores.
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Renowned for its exceptionally sweet, rich flavor reminiscent of brown sugar, caramel, and pear.
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Flesh is soft, granular yet melting, ranging in color from yellow to reddish-brown.
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A very slow-growing but incredibly tough, evergreen tree, highly tolerant of drought, poor soil, and wind once established.
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The tree's bark was the original source of chicle, the base for chewing gum.
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Fruit has a rough, brown, inedible skin and contains 3-12 glossy black seeds.
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Can grow large but is amenable to pruning and can be maintained at a manageable size.
Flavor Profile:
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Flavor: Uniquely rich and sweet with dominant notes of caramel, malt, and brown sugar, with subtle pear-like undertones.
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Texture: Soft, slightly grainy (like a fine pear), and melting when fully ripe.
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Best Uses: Primarily a sublime fresh-eating fruit, best scooped out of the skin. Also excellent in milkshakes, smoothies, and desserts where its caramel flavor shines.