Botanical Name: Pouteria caimito
Family: Sapotaceae
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Ericales
Genus: Pouteria
Species:P. caimito
Common/English Name: Abiu, Yellow Star Apple, Blueberry Pie fruit.
Name in Other Languages: Brazil: Abi, Abio, Abieiro, Abiu, Caimito, Abiurana, Camiteiro;
Columbia: Caimito Amarilla, Caimito, Caimo Or Madura Verde;
Ecuador: Cauje, Caimito, Luma;
Peru: Lucuma;
Spanish: Caimito, Cauje, Caimo, Maduraverde;
Trinidad: Yellow Star Apple;
Venezuela: Temare;
English: Caimo, Abiu, Egg fruit;
Japanese: Abiu (???);
Portuguese:-
Brazil: Abi,
Amazonia: Abieiro, Abiu, Abiurana,
Spanish:-
Ecuador: Caimito,
Colombia: Caimo
German: abiu;
Habitat :Abiu is a tropical fruit tree originated in the Amazonian region of South America.It is commonly considered as native to the headwaters of the Amazon. It grows wild in the lower eastern part of the Andes from southwestern Venezuela to Peru. It also grows around Tingo Maria and Iquitos, Peru, and it commonly can be found in the Province of Guayas in Ecuador, where it is sold in the markets. The abiu was cultivated by Amerindians and it became widespread in the Amazon, but the origins of the fruit’s distribution outside the Amazon is uncertain. In the Amazon basin, it is found to grow heavily in the northern Brazilian state of Pará, but is also found sparsely in collections from the Atlantic rainforest near Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. It can also be found in Colombia in areas such as the regions of Caquetá, Meta, and Vaupes and it is very plentiful in Amazonas, Venezuela. It has also been growing for a very long time in Trinidad.
Description:
Abiu tree is vergreen and perennial.It grows to an average of 33 feet (10 m) high, and can grow as high as 116 feet (35 m) under good conditions.
The leaves of abiu range from oblong to elliptical. They can be 4-8 in (10-20 cm) in length and 1.5-2.5 in (3.5-6.5 cm) in width. The flowers on the tree may occur either single or in clusters of two to five flowers. They appear on the leaf axils on long, thin shoots. The flowers are small with four to five petals. The petals are cylindrical and are white to greenish in color. The flowers are hermaphroditic, meaning they are both sexes. The flowers open in the morning and can stay open for about two days.
Fruits:
Its fruits’ shape varies from round to oval, pointed at the distal end. When ripe, it has smooth, bright yellow skin and has one to four ovate seeds. The inside of the fruit is translucent and white. It has a creamy and jelly-like texture and its taste is similar to the sapodilla — a sweet caramel custard. The abiu tree is part of the family Sapotaceae and is very similar in appearance to the canistel.
Mature abiu trees produce 100 to 1000 fruits each year. These have a pale, translucent pulp of a custard consistency that is easily scooped out with a spoon; also, a few bits of tougher gel may be found. The seeds are easily removed and are covered with a thin layer of adherent pulp. The fruit has a sweet, mild taste, which may have a hint of pineapple, but is best described as reminiscent of caramel flan. It is often used in ice cream or eaten out of hand.
Unripe fruits contain a gummy and unpalatable latex that hardens upon exposure to air. The skin of the ripe fruit is a pale yellow color with a leathery texture and residual latex. Because mature fruits continue to ripen when picked, the harvest can be timed to allow for transportation to market. However, this period may be as short as five days. Maturation can be recognized by the pale green-to-yellow color break and the ripe fruit can be identified by its yellow coloration and a slight softness.
Cultivation:
The tree grows best in tropical areas and in places that have a warm, moist climate all year long, and is slightly less hardy than related sapotes such as the canistel and sapodilla (nispero).[4] Within the United States, it grows well in South Florida as far north as Palm Beach County, and has survived brief freezes. It prefers wet, slightly acidic soil with high organic content, and may suffer from iron deficiency (chlorosis) in alkaline soils. A tree that has just been planted is fragile and needs protection from wind and cold weather. Only light pruning is necessary and feeding should be frequent, but light.
Propagation:
Propagation is nearly always by seeds, but the fruit of seedling trees is variable. Fresh seeds need to be planted within a few days if they are to remain viable, and germinate in two to three weeks. The lower branches of the seedling may be pruned after a year, and the first fruit can be expected in three years, with substantial yields at five years. Grafting, budding, and air layering can be used to propagate superior strains and advance the production schedule.
Edible Uses:
The fruit of the abiu tree is edible and considered one of the best of the sapotes due to having the sweet, caramel-like taste of sapodilla with a smoother texture. It is commonly eaten out of hand, although in Colombia, those eating the fruit this way are advised to grease their lips to keep the gummy latex from sticking; this hazard can be avoided by selecting fully ripe fruits and scooping out the flesh with a utensil. The tartness of a bit of added lime juice may enhance the flavor, especially when chilled. The melting, sweet pulp of the abiu is also used to flavor ice cream and cut into yogurt for a light and delicious breakfast. The subtlety of the flavor limits its use in more complex confections and salads. Abiu fruit is a significant source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Health Benefits of Abiu fruit:
An intake of Abiu fruit provides various health benefits to the health which are discussed below in detail:
1.Antimicrobial activity:
The species of Sapotaceae family showed antifungal, antibacterial, antitumor, antifungal, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The study revealed presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, lapachol, phenylpropaoids and bezenoids which are responsible for large spectrum of biological activities.
2.Eye health:
Similar to tomatoes, carrot and strawberry, Abiu fruit provides high content of Vitamin A which is essential for maintaining eye health. It also enables to avoid various eye problems as well as difficulty. Add Abiu fruit to the diet to obtain eye health.
3.Strengthen immunity:
Abiu fruit has high content of Vitamin C which enhances defense mechanisms that is essential for preventing harmful bacteria and viruses.
4.Digestive health
Abiu fruit consists of high content of fiber. Fiber assists the people to lose weight and fiber easily upgrades digestive system, eliminate bowel problems as well as digestive problems. The digestive health could be improved by consuming the fruits which have high content of fiber like Abiu fruit.
Other Uses:
The wood of the abiu tree is dense, heavy, and hard and is used as lumber in construction.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouteria_caimito
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/abiu-fruit/
