Black Sapote (Diospyros digyna): Chocolate Pudding Fruit

Black sapote, or chocolate pudding fruit, is a tropical evergreen tree native to Mexico and Central America, producing fruit with a texture and flavor remarkably like chocolate pudding.

Botanical Profile

Description and Features

This tree grows 25–40 feet tall with a dense, glossy canopy. Leaves are elliptical, dark green, leathery. Flowers are small, white. Fruit is tomato-shaped, green turning brown-black when ripe, with soft, custard-like, dark brown flesh that tastes like sweet chocolate pudding.

Cultivation and Uses

Black sapote requires tropical to subtropical climates, full sun, well-drained soil. It is flood-tolerant. Fruit is eaten fresh, in smoothies, desserts. Rich in vitamin C. The tree is ornamental with dense foliage.

Note

Related to persimmon (Diospyros kaki). Unripe fruit is astringent.