Description
Sapota is a delicious tropical fruit that belongs to the Sapotaceae family that goes with the scientific name Manilkara zapota. It has its origin in the rain forests of Central America, particularly in Mexico and Belize, but now it is available in India too. In India, Karnataka is the largest producer of sapodilla, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Sapota or chikoo is an oval or round shape fruit with brown skin. The unripe fruit has a hard surface and white pulp due to its high content of latex. The latex content reduces as the fruit ripens and its flesh acquires a brown colour. The flesh contains black, shiny bean-like seeds in the centre.
- Sapota is a high-calorie fruit offering 83 calories per 100 gram with an abundant source of fibres and vitamins.
- It is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C that help to build immunity and skin health.
- This fruit is a powerhouse of polyphenol compound tannin that possesses astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic characteristics.
- It also contains other essential nutrients like potassium, sodium, copper, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.
