Ever heard about chicozapote? It’s a tropical fruit that’s becoming more popular by the minute! In this post we share what it is, how it tastes and the benefits!
Chicozapote is a traditional fruit in South America and in Central America. You can actually find it at most markets in Mexico and in Guatemala.
Actually, it’s so popular in Guatemala we even included it in our top Guatemala fruits list!
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What is Chicozapote
Chicozapote can also be found as sapodilla. It’s an oval fruit with a reddish brow color. The pulp is sweet and has some small and oval shaped black shinny seeds.
Zapote is traditional from tropical South and Central America. The tree that produces it has the same name. However you can also find the tree under the sapodilla name or even chicle!
The tree ranges from 10 to 30 meters in height and it has a light brown of gray bark and intense green leaves.
The tree is not only used for it’s delicious fruit but also to make musical instruments and adhesives. During a time it as also used to create a sort of chewing gum which is why the tree can also be named a chicle tree or a chewing gum tree.
Mayans considered it a delicious sweet and used it to make drinks and sweets. Now it can also be used to make ice creams.
It was also considered part of the herbal medicine kit in pre-Hispanic eras.
How does chicozapote taste like
Chicozapote is a extremely sweet fruit that has caramel and even cinnamon undertones.
Some people describe the flavor really similar to brown sugar or even burnt brow sugar. Other people feel that the flavor resembles a sweet custard. And finally some describe it as somewhat similar to a very sweet sweet potato.
Overall the flavor is sweet with caramel notes and a soft pulp that has a custard like texture.
Where can you find Chicozapote
You can find chicozapote at almost all countries in Central America and in some tropical South American countries like Colombia.
However it’s more popular in Mexico and Guatemala and even Nicaragua, El Salvador and Belize.
It’s better during it’s peak season that goes between December and April.
If you visit Mexico during these months you’ll find a lot of Sapodilla at farmers markets and street vendors.
Health benefits of Chicozapote
This fruit was considered to have healing properties during the pre-Hispanic years.
And while now it’s not considered a super fruit it’s nutrient dense and packed with good for you vitamins.
- It is a natural source of vitamin A and C, which strengthens the defenses.
- Since it’s high in vitamin A it helps strengthen the vision
- It has healing antibiotic properties that improve the immune system
- It prevents the formation of blood clots
- Helps control blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Its tea is good for fighting high blood pressure
- It is good to treat diarrhea
- Thanks to its high fiber content, it improves the digestive system
- Helps relieve gastritis and some intestinal ailments
- It has analgesic properties, so it helps fight body aches
- It is rich in antioxidants so it helps fight free radical damage
How to eat chicozapote
This fruit is best enjoyed directly from the fruit. Just grab a knife and cut out a slice. You’ll love it!
However you can also use ti to prepare shakes and juices. Agua de zapote is a popular drink is some parts of Mexico and it’s a refreshing alternative to a juice.
You can also enjoy it as ice cream! The sweetness and creaminess of the fruit makes it perfect for this type of frozen treats.
Just keep in mind that’s a delicate fruit and that you need to be careful when transporting it from the market to your home since it bruises easily.
