Pouteria sapota

Mamey sapote Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Ericales Family: Sapotaceae Genus: Pouteria Species: P. sapota Binomial name Pouteria sapota (Jacq.) H. E. Moore & Stearn Synonyms See text Sapote, mamey, raw Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 520 kJ (120 kcal) Carbohydrates 32.1 g Sugars 20.14 g Dietary fiber 75 .4 g Fat 0.46 g Protein 1.45 g Vitamins Thiamine (B1) (1%) 0.013 mg Riboflavin (B2) (10%) 0.116 mg Niacin (B3) (10%) 1.432 mg Pantothenic acid (B5) (8%) 0.397 mg Vitamin B6 (55%) 0.72 mg Folate (B9) (2%) 7 μg Vitamin C (28%) 23 mg Vitamin E (14%) 2.11 mg Minerals Calcium (2%) 18 mg Iron (6%) 0.78 mg Magnesium (3%) 11 mg Manganese (10%) 0.204 mg Phosphorus (4%) 26 mg Potassium (10%) 454 mg Sodium (0%) 7 mg Zinc (2%) 0.19 mg Link to USDA Database entry Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Pouteria sapota, mamey sapote, is a species of tree native to Middle America, naturally ranging from southern Mexico to southern Costa Rica, plus Cuba. Today, the tree is cultivated not only in Mexico, but also in Central America, the Caribbean, and South Florida for its fruit, which is commonly eaten in many Latin American countries, especially (Cuba) (need citation). The Australian and Queensland Government’s research and development programs have produced mamey sapote. Mamey can be found in many Latin American communities throughout the USA, where it is made into milkshakes and ice cream among other things. It has different names depending on the country: mamey (Cuba), zapote colorado (Costa Rica), níspero and zapote rojo (South America), among others.

Description

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Mamey sapote is a large and highly ornamental evergreen tree that can reach a height of 15 to 45 meters (60 to 140 feet) at maturity. Like most fruit trees, it is mainly propagated by grafting, which ensures the new plant has the same characteristics as the parent, especially its fruit. It is also considerably faster than growing trees by seed.

The leaves are pointed at both ends, 4 to 12 inches in length and grow in clusters at the ends of branches.

The fruit is about 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 inches) long and 8 to 12 cm (3 to 5 inches) wide and has flesh ranging in color from pink to orange to red. The brown skin has a texture somewhat between sandpaper and the fuzz on a peach. The fruit's texture is creamy and soft. A mamey sapote is ripe when the flesh is pink when a fleck of the skin is removed. The flesh should give slightly, as with a ripe kiwifruit.

The mamey sapote is related to other sapotes such as sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), abiu (P. caimito) and canistel (P. campechiana), but unrelated to the black sapote (Diospyros digyna) and white sapote (Casimiroa edulis). It should not be confused with the mammee apple (Mammea americana).

Mammea americana, a similar-looking but unrelated fruit.

Uses

The fruit is eaten raw or made into milkshakes, smoothies, ice cream and fruit bars. It can be used to produce marmalade and jelly. Some consider the fruit to be an aphrodisiac. Some beauty products use oil pressed from the seed, otherwise known as sapayul oil.

Nutrition

The fruit is an excellent source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C, and is a good source of riboflavin, niacin, vitamin E, manganese, potassium and dietary fiber. Research has identified several new carotenoids from the ripe fruit.

Synonyms

3

See also

• Sapodilla

External links

• TradeWinds Fruit: Mamey Sapote
• New Crop Resource Online Program: Sapote