Sapodilla is also known by the various vernacular/common names: Brazil: Sapoti; German: Breiapfel, Sapotillbaum; Hindu: Chikoo, Korean: Kkom Na Mu; Pakistan: Cheeku, etc. Sapodilla is also called Bully Tree, Chicle, Chico Sapote, Chiku, Marmalade Plum, Naseberry, Sapodilla, Sapote and Sapodilla Plum.

Sapodilla is a sweet and delicious fruit. It is loaded with nutritional benefits. The fruit is soft and the pulp is easily digestible with sweet and crunchy flavor. Fructose and sucrose provide sweetness to the fruit.

Sapodilla Quick Facts
Name:	Sapodilla
Scientific Name:	Manilkara zapota
Origin	Southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Also cultivated in Thailand, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
Colors	Pale yellow-brown color with a grainy texture
Shapes	Ovoid or ellipsoid, Diameter: 2-4 inches (5-10 cm)
Flesh colors	Brownish
Taste	Sweet
Calories	200 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients	Vitamin C (39.33%) Carbohydrate (37.00%) Dietary Fiber (33.68%) Iron (24.13%) Copper (23.00%)
Health benefits	Relieves stress, Prevents cold, Prevents anemia, Reduce arthritis, Heals wound

Native to Southern Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Sapodilla is now cultivated in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Mexico. It was introduced during Spanish colonization to the Philippines. There are four varieties of Sapodilla: Brown Sugar, Prolific, Russel, and Tikal.

Name	Sapodilla
Scientific Name	Manilkara zapota
Native	Southern Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. During Spanish colonization, it was introduced to the Philippines. Now it is cultivated in Thailand, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, Bangladesh Indonesia and Mexico.
Common/English Name	Bully Tree, Chicle, Chico Sapote, Chiku, Marmalade Plum, Naseberry, Sapodilla, Sapote, Sapodilla Plum
Name in Other Languages	Aztec: Xicozapoti; Bahamas: Dilly; Bangledash: Sofeda; Belize: Zapote Morado; Brazil: Sapoti; British West Indies: Dilly, Naseberry; Chinese: Ien Xian Guo, Ren Xin Guo; Columbia: Zapote, Nispero; Costa Rica: Nispero, Korob; Cuba: Zapote, Nipero; Czech: Mamej Sapota; Danish: Tyggegummitræ; Dominican Republic: Nispero, Zapote; Dutch: Sapodilleboom, Sapodilla; Ecuador: Nispero Quitense; El Salvador: Nispero, Zapote; French: Nè fl e D’amérique, Sapotier; French Guiana: Sapotille; French West Indies: Sapotille; German : Breiapfel, Sapotillbaum; Guatemala : Chicozapote, Muy; Guyana: Sapodilla, Sapadillo ; Haiti: Sapoti; Hawaii : Chico Sapote; India:- Bengali: Sapeta, Baramasi, Bihar: Baramasi, Hindu: Chikoo, Marathi: Chikku, Chiku Tamil:- Telugu: Chimaiyiluppai, Sima Ippacettu, Urdu: Chikoo; Indonesia:- Bali: Sabo Jawa, Batak: Sao Manila, Sawu Manila, Boegineesch, Sulawesi: Sao Mila, Java: Sawo Manila, Sawo Londo, Lampong, Sumatra: Sauh Manila, Sawuh Manila, Manado, Sulawesi: Sau Manila, Singkep, Riau: Sauh Manila, Jambi, Manado: Sawo Manila, Lingga, Sumatra: Jiku, Sundanese: Sawo Manila, Sawo, Madurese: Sabu Manila, Malay: Sawo Manila; Jamaica : Naseberry; Japanese : Sapojira, Sabojira; Khmer : Lamut; Korean : Kkom Na Mu; Laotian : Lamud; Malaysia : Ciku, Sawo Nilo; Maldives : Sabudheli; Mexico: Chico, Zapotillo; Netherlands Antilles: Mispu, Mispel; Nepalese: Saapotaa, Gudalu; Nicaragua: Nispero; Pakistan: Cheeku; Philippines (Tagalog): Chico; Portuguese: Sapoti, Sapotilha; Puerto Rico: Nispero; Spanish (Latin America): Níspero, Sapote; Sri Lanka: Sapathilla, Rata-Mi; Surinam: Mispel, Sapotilie; Swedish: Sapotillplommon; Thai: Lámút Farang; Trinidad & Tobago: Sapodilla; Venezuela: Chicozapote, Nispero; Vietnamese: Hông Xiêm, Xabôchê; Virgin Islands: Mespil; Yucatan: Ya
Plant Growth Habit	Evergreen, long-lived, erect, lactiferous
Growing Climate	Subtropical and tropical
Soil	Well-drained, light
Plant Size	100 ft.
Lifespan	Long life
Root	Shallow-rooted
Bark	White, gummy sap, rough dark brown
Branchlets	Horizontal or drooping
Leaf	Alternate, ovate-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, medium green, glossy, length: 3 to 4-1/2 inches, width: 1 to 1-1/2 inches
Edible parts of the plants	The fruit is consumed fresh or used in salads, fruit cups, ice cream, fruit sherbets, jam, butter, syrup. It could be preserved in the form of syrup. The fruits which are ripened are processed as wine. The leafy shoots are consumed raw or steamed and mixed with vegetables, rice after washing the sticky sap. Milky latex is also used in chewing gum.
Flowering Season	Throughout the year
Flower	Small, white, bell-shaped, Diameter: 3/8-inch (9.5 mm)
Fruit shape & size	Ovoid or ellipsoid, Diameter: 2-4 inches (5-10 cm)
Fruit weight	150 gm
Fruit color	Pale yellow-brown color with a grainy texture
Flesh color	Brownish
Fruit peel	Thin
Flavor/aroma	Sweet, pleasant
Fruit Taste	Sweet
Seed	3-12 seeds, dark brown to black, smooth, flattened, shiny, length: 3/4 inch (1.9 cm)
Varieties/Types	Brown Sugar, Prolific, Russel, Tikal
Fruit Season	May-September
Major Nutritions	Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 35.4 mg (39.33%) Carbohydrate 48.1 g (37.00%) Total dietary Fiber 12.8 g (33.68%) Iron, Fe 1.93 mg (24.13%) Copper, Cu 0.207 mg (23.00%) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.607 mg (12.14%) Potassium, K 465 mg (9.89%) Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid) 34 µg (8.50%) Total Fat (lipid) 2.65 g (7.57%) Magnesium, Mg 29 mg (6.90%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.089 mg (6.85%) Calcium, Ca 51 mg (5.10%) Phosphorus, P 29 mg (4.14%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.048 mg (3.69%) Histidine 0.039 g (3.17%)
Health Benefits	Relieves stress Prevents cold Helps indigestion Helps to lose weight Prevents anemia Proper function of the brain Reduce arthritis Healthy skeletal structure Heals wound Assist nervous system
Calories in 1cup (241 gm)	200 Kcal.
Traditional uses	The decoction is used to cure diarrhea. The infusion which is made from young fruits and flowers is used to ease pulmonary ailments. The seed possess saponins and quercetin and used as diuretic, aperient, febrifuge and tonic. The seeds which are compressed possess a diuretic action that is used to eliminate bladder and kidney stones. A seeds paste is used for an application on stings and bites from venomous animals. The decoction which is made from old, yellowed leaves is useful for colds, coughs, and diarrhea. A decoction made from Sapodilla and Sechium edule leaves is consumed regularly to lower blood pressure. In the tropics, latex is used for tooth cavities. The bark is used as a tonic and its decoction is used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, and paludism. In Indonesia, the flowers are used as an ingredient of a powder that is rubbed on the woman’s body after childbirth. Tannin from the bark is used in Cambodia to treat fever and diarrhea.
Precautions	The consumption of unripe Sapodilla causes irritation in the throat, breathing problems, and mouth ulcer. Due to the high latex and tannins in raw Sapodilla, it causes a bitter taste. The excessive consumption of Sapodilla increases the weight due to the presence of high calories. Excessive intake of Sapodilla leads to pain and discomfort in the abdomen. The seeds should be avoided as a medication because they possess a huge amount of toxicity.
How to Eat	Sapodilla is consumed raw by scooping out the flesh or made jam or sherbet. It can be taken in the form of juice, custard, milkshakes, or ice creams. It is added to the cake and pancake.
Other Facts	Sapodilla forbids the risk of colon cancer. Sapodilla contains powerful antioxidants named Tannin which acts as anta-acid, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory and eradicates free radicals. The consumption of Sapodilla relieves cough and congestion which is also known as expectorant removal. Due to the presence of essential carbohydrates and nutrients in Sapodilla, it is good for lactating mothers as it helps to overcome nausea and dizziness during pregnancy. Sapodilla is loaded with adequate phosphorous, calcium, and iron which helps to strengthen bones. The fruits which are unripe are astringent and rich in tannins.

Plant

The Sapodilla is an evergreen, long-lived, erect, and lactiferous tree that reaches upto 100 ft. high with alternately arranged leaves. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate to ovate-elliptic, medium green, glossy, 3 to 4-1/2 inches in length, and 1 to 1-1/2 inches in width. The flowers are small, white, and bell-shaped with a diameter of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). The tree yields flowers throughout the year. Each branchlet is arranged horizontally or drooping. The rough dark brown bark possesses a white and gummy sap. Sapodilla grows in subtropical and tropical climates. It prefers well-drained and light soils.

Fruit

Sapodilla is the fruit of the plant family Sapotaceae which is generally available from May to September. Initially brown and somewhat sweet in taste, Sapodilla is pale yellow-brown color with a grainy texture and shaped like ovoid or ellipsoid. Their brownish flesh has 3 to 12 small, smooth, flattened, black seeds of ¾ inch in length at the center. The fruit comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) in diameter and weighs about 150 gm. Sapodilla is thin-skinned and possesses a sweet, pleasant flavor.

Nutritional Value

The nutritional value of Sapodilla in 241 grams of the fruit areas: Calories (200 Kcal), Dietary Fiber (12.8 g), Fat (2.65 g), Protein (1.06 g), Carbohydrate (48.1 g), Calcium (51 mg), Water (187.98 g), Magnesium ( 29 mg), Iron (1.93 mg), Potassium ( 465 mg), Phosphorous (29 mg), Pantothenic acid (0.607 mg), Vitamin C (35.4 mg), Folate (34 µg), Niacin (0.482 mg) and Vitamin A (7 µg).

Health Benefits of Sapodilla

Sapodilla possesses anti-inflammatory properties. It contains dietary fiber in very good amounts. The people of India used it for anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It maintains overall health as it is loaded with various nutrients. Sapodilla is rich in calories. Along with the fruit, other parts are also used to the colds and cough because it contains antidiarrheal, diuretic, antihyperglycemic, antibiotic and hypercholesteraemic effects.

Relieves stress

The study analysis shows that Vitamin C helps the weakened immune system which is caused due to stress. Stress has become a common health problem that could be relieved with the adequate intake of Vitamin C that improves overall health. Vitamin C could be found in Sapodilla by 39.33%.

Prevents cold

The presence of Vitamin C enhances the immune system to counteract colds and viruses. 1000 mg of Vitamin C helps to prevent the cold. The evidence shows that Sapodilla which is rich in Vitamin C helps to prevent the chances of lung infections and pneumonia.

Helps in digestion

Fiber is essential to improve digestion. Insoluble fiber assists to pass the stool and bulk through the body which forbids the health conditions such as colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel.

Helps to lose weight

Fiber-rich foods help to lessen food cravings. It reduces the blood glucose spike that results in fewer carbohydrate cravings and less storage of fats. It assists to eliminate bowels that result in weight loss. One should add high protein foods to the diet for losing weight.

Prevents anemia

Anemia is caused due to a deficiency in iron. The body won’t be able to produce hemoglobin and transport oxygen due to the inadequate presence of iron. The patients with anemia experience the symptoms such as poor mental function, lack of energy, and apathy. Anemia is mostly seen in children and menopausal women so they should consume foods rich in iron.

Proper function of the brain

The brain requires oxygen for efficient function. The iron assists to deliver oxygen to the brain and eliminates poor memory and apathy. The deficiency in iron results in restlessness, irritability, and inattentiveness.

The study has shown that copper assists in galactose and dopamine which are the neurotransmitters essential to maintain energy, mood, outlook, and focus.

Reduce arthritis

Copper possesses anti-inflammatory properties which eliminate stiffness and pain related to arthritis. It helps to strengthen muscles, lower joint pain and repair the connective tissue. The arthritis patients wear copper bands or bracelets with a belief that the copper can reduce the painful symptoms.

Healthy skeletal structure

Copper is essential for the growth of bones, connective tissue, and muscles. The deficiency of copper increases the chances of osteoporosis, muscle weakness, low strength, breakage, weak joints, etc. The studies show that the intake of copper with manganese, zinc, calcium slows the loss of bone in older women.

Heals wound

The studies show that Vitamin B5 speeds up the healing process of cuts and wounds and also treats skin reactions from radiation therapy. It also slows down the aging process such as dark spots and wrinkles. Recent studies show that Vitamin B5 accelerates the healing process by improving the multiplication of cells.

Assist nervous system

Potassium is vital for the cellular function, nerve impulses, and electrical signals that the function of the brain depends on. Potassium deficiency leads to poor concentration, fatigue, trouble in remembering and learning, and a change in mood.

Traditional uses

The decoction of this fruit is useful to treat diarrhea. The infusion of the young fruits and flowers helps to soothe the pulmonary ailments. The seed of this fruit contains quercetin and saponins which are used as aperient, febrifuge, diuretic, and tonic. The compressed seeds are used to eradicate the bladder and kidney stones. The paste of the seeds is applied in case of bites and stings from venomous animals. The decoction of old, yellowed leaves is effective for colds, coughs, and diarrhea. The daily intake of decoction made from the Sechium edule leaves and Sapodilla helps to reduce the blood pressure. In the tropics, latex is used for tooth cavities. The decoction of the bark is useful to cure diarrhea, dysentery, and paludism. The flowers are used in Indonesia as an ingredient of a powder that is rubbed on the woman’s body after childbirth. The fever and diarrhea are treated in Cambodia with the bark as it possesses tannin.

How to Eat

Sapodilla is consumed raw by scooping the flesh out or made jam or sherbet. It is also added to the pancakes and cakes. It is also found in the form of custard, juice, ice creams, or milkshakes.

Precautions

The intake of unripe Sapodilla causes irritation in the throat, breathing problems, and mouth ulcer. Raw Sapodilla possesses a bitter taste due to the high amount of latex and tannins. The consumption of Sapodilla in huge amounts assists to increase weight as it is high in calories. The excessive amount of Sapodilla causes discomfort and pain in the abdomen. As the seeds are high in toxicity, they should be avoided to use as a medication.