The Sweet Brown Fruit from the Tropics
The sapodilla tree, scientifically known as Manilkara zapota, is a long-lived evergreen tree native to southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Today it thrives across tropical regions, including Indonesia, where it’s commonly called pohon sawo. 1. General Description • Scientific name: Manilkara zapota • Family: Sapotaceae • Common names: Sapodilla, naseberry, chikoo, sawo • Height: Can grow 9 to 30 meters tall in the wild, but usually stays around 5 to 10 meters when cultivated • Lifespan: Extremely long. Some trees can produce fruit for over 100 years The tree has a dense, rounded crown with glossy, dark green leaves. When the bark or leaves are cut, they release a white, sticky latex called chicle, which was historically used as the base for chewing gum. 2. Fruit Characteristics of Sapodilla / Sawo Appearance & Texture: • Shape: Round to oval, looks like a small potato • Size: About 4 to 10 cm in diameter • Skin: Thin, slightly rough, light brown to rust...