Pouteria caimito (Abiu)

Botanical name: Pouteria caimito

Common names: Abiu, Abu, Caimito

Family: Sapotaceae

USDA Zone: 10-11?

Fantastic Sapotaceous tropical fruit. Size of medium apple,bright yellow when ripe. Flesh is jelly-like, very juicy, sweet, acid-free, surrounded by somewhat hard thick skin with sticky latex on cut. The taste of fruit resembles one of Chrysophyllum cainito. One elongated seed inside.

This tree does well in most soils, but rarely tolerates flooding. Pruning is common, and will shorten height and improve early yields. It has a medium-size, but thick canopy. It matures in three to five years, and can produce for over 20 years. The popular fruit is eaten raw, and the trunk provides heavy, excellent wood for fuel and crafts. The latex of the fruit is occasionally used to treat wounds. As with most fruit trees, it is believed that pruning should be done during a full moon.