History
The black sapote (Diospyros digyna) is native to Latin America and specifically the Mexican coast and Central America. Then, it widespread in the Caribbean and throughout the tropical zone. It is rare in Martinique but exists nonetheless. It is grown in Mexico and Guatemala.
Varieties
There are several varieties of black sapote trees. In the West Indies and therefore in Martinique, there is an endemic species (Diospyros revoluta) which is distinguished by its oval leaf at the end and its fruit, smaller, with blackish skin and containing 2 to 4 seeds. The black sapote tree or black wood, a tree with a high trunk and a spreading crown, deploys its green foliage in stages up to 25 m high. Its brown twigs bear alternate, leathery, elliptical, pointed leaves.
The particularity of this tree? It bears both male white flowers, other female flowers, and leaves of both sexes. The fruit is oval, a little rounded and flattened. Its thin, shiny green skin turns olive green when ripe. It contains up to 12 flat, brown seeds. The generous and soft pulp can be put off by its chocolate brown color. It is sometimes called “hen poo”.
Health benefits
The black sapote is rich in vitamin C and has the same attributes as orange namely a safe source of energy. 100 gr of black sapote will give you 25% of your daily intake of vitamin C.
It is also a good source of vitamin A. Its potassium helps build muscles and control the electrical activity of the heart and the normal functioning of cells.
It helps digestion. the delivery of oxygen into the body.
Uses
We eat the pulp of raw black sapote sprinkled with lemon. However, it can be used to make many sweet desserts (creams, ice creams, pies, cakes), drinks and liquors. It would taste like chocolate pudding (minus the calories).
