Name: Mamey sapote, also called mamey colorado or simply mamey (Pouteria sapota). It should not be confused with the mammee apple (Mammea americana), a different fruit also called “mamey” in some places.
Description
Mamey sapote is native to southern Mexico and Central America, where it has been eaten since before the Spanish arrived, and was valued by the Maya and Aztecs. The tree is large and slow-growing, and has been carried to the Caribbean, Florida and parts of Asia. It is especially popular in Cuba, Mexico and Central America.
The fruit is oval, with a rough, brown, russeted skin, and soft, smooth, orange-red flesh around a single large, glossy seed. The flavour is sweet and rich, often compared to sweet potato, pumpkin, apricot and almond. It is eaten fresh, and is especially popular in milkshakes (batido de mamey), ice cream and desserts.
Main nutrition value
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Mamey sapote provides carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and carotenoid pigments, and is an energy-dense, filling fruit.
How best to be consumed
Mamey sapote is best eaten fully ripe and soft, scooped out with a spoon.
- Let it ripen until it yields to gentle pressure, then cut and scoop out the flesh.
- Remove the large seed, which is not eaten.
- Blend into milkshakes (batidos), smoothies, ice cream and puddings.
- Eat fresh in modest portions, since it is rich.
- Test ripeness by scratching the skin lightly, and look for a vivid orange-red under it.
Overconsumption could cause…
Mamey sapote flesh is safe, though energy-dense, and the seed is not edible.
- Weight gain from eating large amounts, since it is more calorie-dense than most fresh fruit.
- Blood sugar effects in people managing diabetes, because of the sugar content.
- Poisoning from the seed kernel, which should not be eaten.
- Digestive discomfort from unripe, astringent fruit.
Wikipedia — Pouteria sapota, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouteria_sapota
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