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Sapote is a semi-tropical fruit.
The Sapote tree is an evergreen tree that will grow true to seed. It can grow up to 65 to 82 feet (20 to 25 metres) tall. Its wood is also used for furniture.
The tree can start bearing fruit when three years old. It flowers first with small blossoms.
The fruit can weigh anywhere from 1 to 6 1/2 pounds (450g to 3kg). It has thick, dull, rough skin that can be dull red or dark brown.
The flesh inside can be red, orange, orangey-red or greyish. When ripe, the flesh will be scented, soft and sweet. There will be one or more large smooth, shiny dark brown seeds.
Cultivars include Abuela, Area No 3, Chenox, Copan, Flores, Florida, Francisco Fernandéz, Lara, Magaña, Mayapán, Navidad, Pace, Patin, Piloto, Tazumar and Viejo.
Choose firm ones with no blemishes or bruises. Look for a nick near where its stem was where you will get a glimpse of the flesh -- look for ones whose flesh isn't still green. If you do get green ones, you can ripen them at room temperature until the flesh changes colour.
Not related to White Sapote or Black Sapote at all.
Cooking Tips
Sapote can be eaten fresh, or in making fruit salads, smoothies, etc.
It can be used to make jams, ice creams, sauces -- it makes a good purée sauce.
The ground seeds are sometimes added to chocolate to give it a bitter edge.
Nutrition
Per 100 g: 17.g protein, .4g fat, 31.1g carbohydrates, 2g fibre, 40 mg calcium, 28 mg phosphorus, 115 mg Vitamin A.
1 cup of pulp contains 135 calories
Storage
Store ripe ones in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
History
Native to lower Central America.
Language Notes
The word "sapote" comes from the Aztec word, "tzapotl."
Also called:  Mammee Zapote
Marmalade Plum Mamey colorado, Mamey zapoteo, Zapota grande, Zapote (Spanish)
Other entries for Sapote
Black Sapote, Chayote, Mamey Sapote, White Sapote
Other entries for Hard Fruit
Apples, Apricots, Avocado, Citrus Fruit, Guava Fruit, Kiwis, Mangos, Maypop Fruit, Medlars, Melons, Nectarines, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Peaches, Pears, Persimmons, Plums, Pomegranates, Quinces, Red Sorrel, Rose Hips, Star Fruit, True Service Fruit
Other entries for Fruit
Bananas, Bletting, Candied Fruit, Dried Fruit, Drupes, Olives, Rhubarb, Soft Fruit
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