The Tropical Fruit Forum
Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: chrobrego on June 20, 2022, 07:03:55 PM
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Hi,
I'm very short on space and was wondering if it's worth it to have a black sapote tree? I know it's a matter of opinion, but I would like to eat the fruit and not just 'collect.' Do people with this fruit actually use it enough to warrant having a tree?
Thanks,
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Yes it is worth it, I've had it from three different sources or so - here's my takes:
First time having it .. it wasn't good. Second time I was given a lot and they were super mild on their own but delicious with condensed milk and ice, third time (different variety I suppose) they were actually quite good out of hand, not as mild as the previous times albeit still mild, I enjoyed some on their own, with peanut butter, and as a shake.
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It’s definitely a personal preference thing. No one else in my family likes it but me. And here is how I enjoy it: smear it on raisin toast like jelly with some butter…. Dude……. Drool. Hahaha I have 10 seedlings going on 2.5 years going to try and fruit them.
Would recommend you try the fruit first, and in order for it to be good you gotta eat it really ripe 👍
Btw this tree is surprisingly high in vitamin C as well as Barbados cherry, would recommend growing either of those as personal health supplements.
-joe
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Another positive is it ripens in the Winter
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Another positive is it ripens in the Winter
This is their biggest advantage to me, a nice change up from regular persimmons and there is not a lot that ripens in winter
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Since it's in the persimmon family, I'd say you'd be much better off with a persimmon tree. Most people really like persimmons.
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Being that you say you're short on space I believe black sapote is dioecious (still trying to find a definitive answer on this). Something to keep in mind.
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Maybe you could have a multi grafted persimmon with a chocolate pudding fruit branch?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://floridafruitgeek.com/2019/08/21/chocolate-pudding-fruit-successfully-grafted-onto-american-persimmon/amp/&ved=2ahUKEwinrsyvzb34AhXGl2oFHWNyBUMQFnoECAkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3g4JHuUXUq8b5djSV0bzcS
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I grew a black sapote from seedling and it fruited on its own in a few years, definitely does not need another tree to set fruit. I like it a lot but I could see why people might not like it as the flavor is mild and the ripe black fruit is off-putting to some. It tastes nothing like normal persimmon, they aren't really comparable in my opinion.
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I grew a black sapote from seedling and it fruited on its own in a few years, definitely does not need another tree to set fruit. I like it a lot but I could see why people might not like it as the flavor is mild and the ripe black fruit is off-putting to some. It tastes nothing like normal persimmon, they aren't really comparable in my opinion.
Thats good to know. My tree set one fruit that never amounted to anything otherwise flowers profusely and drops all of them.
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Certainly possible another tree improves fruit set, I got five fruits on its first year out of maybe thirty flowers
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I have a seedling black sapote that fruits prolifically on its own. I’m fact, I have a crop that is ripening right now while flowering for the next round. They are mildly sweet which I really like. I’m not turned off by the texture or appearance even though others that tasted in the family show disgust face.
If you have a small space, probably better to focus on other superior fruit options. If you have the room, it is a beautiful tree with evergreen glossy leaves. Definitely try a good cultivar before investing in this tree based on overall feedback on its taste and texture.
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I have two different seedling trees.
One fruited on its own at 3 years old. The other tree hadn't flowered yet.
The second tree started flowering and hasn't set fruit for several years
meanwhile the first tree produces fine. Both trees were hit hard this past
Winter freeze. All the branches died on both trees. Both have put out tons of new
growth and will be fine. Neither will flower this year though.
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achetadomestica, did you provide any freeze protection to your seedlings? I had a small seedling that was swaddled in frost cloth that ultimately succumbed to the cold.
To the op-- try the fruit. I like them well enough to dedicate space to try and produce them here. Your taste may vary.
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It may take a while to get fruiting well. Some of it may be flowering timing. Mine began flowering in year 3 but was early, within the dry season, so they failed to set. Then last year began in June but again we were way drier than usual. This year they are flowering well in June with normal rain so things are looking good. So, like many fruits give them some time. The better ones seem to be hermaphrodite.
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I am just east of Orlando near Christmas, they are not hardy enough to survive even one of our mild Winters, let alone a nasty one like this past year's. At least mine didnt. I think Lychee are a better option for 9B with limited space.
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It's a hard decision for sure, I'm struggling with the same thing. Sure there are better tropical fruits in my opinion, and it's large tree, but this tree produces in winter where there isn't much fruit around otherwise.
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I grew a black sapote from seedling and it fruited on its own in a few years, definitely does not need another tree to set fruit. I like it a lot but I could see why people might not like it as the flavor is mild and the ripe black fruit is off-putting to some. It tastes nothing like normal persimmon, they aren't really comparable in my opinion.
I didn't think that they were similar in taste. I just thought if he's short on space and hadn't planted persimmon, it would be better to go with persimmon, a really outstanding fruit, UNLESS he doesn't like super-sweet fruit.
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Not sure about your climate, but would be considering jujube, mulberry, annonas, jabos, persimmon, cados, and garcinias (lemon drop, etc.) over black sapote, for winter fruits within limited space.
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Some of you brought up a good point. I assumed it was cold tolerant for Central Florida. Is it? I already grow sapodilla, mango and lychee plus a couple of jackfruit. The jackfruit was the only thing really damaged that bad in our last 24 degree cold spell. Will black sapote take some cold? I know I can google it, but nothing bests personal experience.
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Neighbor had a big tree with lots of fruit, no one liked it but him so he cut it down. Try it before you get a tree.
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If I had limited space, I would probably not grow black sapote. While it looks amazing, I find the fruit to be relatively bland. Having said that, I had black sapote with cacao in a smoothie last night and it was quite good. One looks like chocolate, the other is used to make chocolate so I figure they are a perfect match :). Guess another question is, how available is the fruit in your area? Where I live, black sapote is relatively common and is fairly cheap. For this reason, I'm not super keen to plant one but I still might.
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Black Sapote is about as hardy as jackfruit in my experience. I only know of 1 tree that consistently bears here in 9b. It has a special microclimate between 2 buildings in the warmest part of town.
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What's black sapote taste like to me. It tastes like a dried asian persimmon with the texture of a well cooked moist variety sweet potato. It has a prune/molasses flavor. I would bet that black sapote bread made with the same spices as ginger bread would be delicious.
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Thanks VERY much for all of your help. You saved me from making a bad decision.
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As with all my delicate plantings. I keep mine in pots and move them around (a year or two). After this initial "tryout", It then decides where the best place to thrive.
The cold hits my BSapote and kills off a few branches, but now has a happy home snuggled between a few nurse trees for protection.
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It sucks
Got a nice one in Mexico
Not too sweet
Persimmons are better!
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Black sapote is one of my favorite fruits. If you don't like it though, don't plant it. I planted the "black beauty" variety which is apparently very sweet. I haven't been able to try one yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
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Its not even related to sapotes, Chocolate Persimmon a better name. The ripe fruit is full of potassium and carbs, gives you a boost of energy while the fiber and other nutrients are great for your gut. The taste is okay but I would eat just for the healt benefits alone.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/XZvN0ttB/CFCE25-EF-7504-4-A68-B2-CE-5-EC8-E3015-B24.png) (https://postimg.cc/XZvN0ttB)
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Its not even related to sapotes, Chocolate Persimmon a better name. The ripe fruit is full of potassium and carbs, gives you a boost of energy while the fiber and other nutrients are great for your gut. The taste is okay but I would eat just for the healt benefits alone.
I thought you could tack “sapote” on to literally any fruit, it’s like calling every single small fruit a “cherry.”
What even would be considered true “sapote?” The Pouterias I’m guessing you mean?
I had very low hopes for black sapote fruit, but had a few over past couple years and gotta agree with most of the positive comments, they can be decently enjoyable if you know what you’re getting into.
That said, I have yet to plant one, tho I have a lot of small trees growing from those seeds, I’m not sure if I wanna put one in the ground tho… maybe.
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Its not even related to sapotes, Chocolate Persimmon a better name. The ripe fruit is full of potassium and carbs, gives you a boost of energy while the fiber and other nutrients are great for your gut. The taste is okay but I would eat just for the healt benefits alone.
I thought you could tack “sapote” on to literally any fruit, it’s like calling every single small fruit a “cherry.”
What even would be considered true “sapote?” The Pouterias I’m guessing you mean?
I had very low hopes for black sapote fruit, but had a few over past couple years and gotta agree with most of the positive comments, they can be decently enjoyable if you know what you’re getting into.
That said, I have yet to plant one, tho I have a lot of small trees growing from those seeds, I’m not sure if I wanna put one in the ground tho… maybe.
Sapote is just a word for soft fleshed fruit…
Literally anything is a sapote
Common names do be confusing lol
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I tried 2 and gave my wife to taste it, we both thought it's mild tasting and not worth eating even if it's free. White Sapote taste better in my opinion. If I have room, I would grow a white sapote.