Diospyros nigra (Black Sapote)
Botanical names: Diospyros nigra, Diospyros digyna, Diospyros obtusifolia
Common names: Black Sapote, Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Black/Chocolate Persimmon
Family: Ebenaceae
Origin: Mexico








The Black Sapote, often called 'chocolate pudding fruit', is closely related to Persimmon. It originates from Mexico and lowlands of Central America. The plant was carried by the Spaniards to the Philippines before 1692, and eventually reached Malacca, Mauritius, Hawaii, Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. In 1916-19 seeds and cuttings from Mexico and other countries of Central America were sent to the Bureau of Plant Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture. Numerous seedlings have been grown in southern California but all have been killed by low temperatures.
This rather slow growing, medium size handsome tree has deciduous, shiny, dark green leaves. The flowers, borne in the leaf axils, are tubular, white, with persistent green calyx. Some have both male and female organs, and are faintly fragrant; others are solely male and have a pronounced gardenia-like scent. The fruit is nearly round, bright-green and shiny at first. On ripening, the smooth, thin skin becomes olive-green. The pulp is glossy, dark-brown, almost black, jelly-like, soft, and very sweet. Its texture and color closely match stewed prunes. In the center, there may be a few seeds, but the fruit is often seedless.
Black Sapote pulp can be served as dessert with a little milk, sour cream or orange juice poured over it. With the addition of lemon or lime juice it can be used as a filling for pies and other pastry. It is also made into ice cream. The pulp can be blended with orange juice or brandy, or with milk and ground nutmeg, or with wine, cinnamon and sugar, and served with or without whipped cream. A foamy, delicious beverage is made by blending the pulp with canned pineapple juice. In Central America, the fermented fruits are made into a liqueur somewhat like brandy.
The plant is subtropical and can tolerate light frost, as well as short periods of flooding. It has a broad adaptability to different types of soil. In Mexico it grows naturally in dry forests or on alluvial clay near streams where it is frequently subject to flooding. It thrives on moist sandy loam, on well-drained sand or even limestone with very little top soil. These qualities makes it a perfect fruit tree for Southern Florida. Black Sapote can be propagated by seed, as well as grafting. Seedlings normally begin to fruit within only 3-4 years.
Similar plants: Diospyros nigra (Black Sapote)
Related Products: Diospyros nigra (Black Sapote)
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The cultivar Matt's Giant is prized for its exceptionally large fruit, often weighing 1.5 to 2 lb (16-32 oz), with some reaching up to 2.5 lb (40 oz). The fruit is globe-shaped, light green, and stays attractive even when ripe. When fully mature, the flesh turns dark brown with a creamy, custard-like texture and a mild, sweet flavor reminiscent of chocolate pudding. It is usually seedless or contains very few seeds.
Matt's Giant is self-fertile, reliably setting fruit without the need for a pollinator. Its relatively low moisture content makes it excellent for baking, especially for black sapote bread, or as a substitute in banana-based recipes. In Florida, the tree grows into a medium-sized specimen about 25-30 ft tall with an oblong canopy. It is highly productive, bearing fruit every year.
This exotic tropical fruit tree produces sweet black pulp that tastes like chocolate pudding, is cold-tolerant to light frost, and can withstand flooding. It is a fast-growing, heavy producer, and grafted trees often begin fruiting within the first or second year.
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster
SUNSHINE-Honey - sugar booster
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster
SUNSHINE-Honey - sugar booster