SafePlants

Black Sapote: The Chocolate Pudding Fruit

The black sapote (Diospyros nigra) is a fascinating fruit often called the "chocolate pudding fruit" due to its dark, custard-like flesh that resembles chocolate pudding in both appearance and taste. Other common names include chocolate persimmon, black persimmon (especially in Hawaii), and zapote prieto (in Spanish).

Considerations for Pets

• The fruit resembles a tomato when unripe, potentially leading to confusion.
• The tree can eventually reach 80 feet in height.

Considerations for Children

• The fruit resembles a tomato when unripe, potentially leading to confusion.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Diospyros nigra
• Family: Ebenaceae
• Synonyms/Alternative Names: Diospyros digyna, Diospyros dignya, Diospyros ebenaster

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the coastal regions in and around Central America and Mexico.
• Now cultivated primarily in tropical regions.
• Harvested in Florida from December to March.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The black sapote tree is a tropical-looking, slow-growing evergreen.
• It can reach 80 feet in the tropics, but is shorter in cooler climates.
• The fruit is round and squat, resembling a tomato, typically 2 3/4 to 4 3/4 inches in diameter.
• The fruit's skin is smooth and thick, starting as bright green and turning black when ripe.
• Ripe fruit pulp is rich, dark brown, and custard-like.

Quirky Facts

• The fruit has been said to have four times the amount of Vitamin C as tomatoes.
• Despite its sweet taste, black sapote is purportedly low in fat.

Historical and Traditional Uses

• The black sapote was consumed by indigenous people in Mexico and Central America.
• The Spanish distributed it to the Caribbean and Asia.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It is related to other fruits such as mamey, canistel and sapodilla, persimmon and custard apple.