The black sapote fruit resembles a large, round green tomato on the outside and varies in size from two to five inches in diameter. The black sapote’s flesh is rich and custard-like, with a sweet, mild flavor. Some people find the taste to be like chocolate, which gave the sapote its nickname, the chocolate pudding tree.

Names: Black Sapote, Black Persimmon, Chocolate-Fruit, Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Sapote negro, Zapote Negro,Schwarze Sapote, zapote prieto, zapote de mico, matasano (or matazano) de mico, or ebano.

Source: Mexico and Guatemala. It is cultivated in Florida, The Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Hawaii.

Handling: Allow sapotes to ripen at room temperature, uncovered and out of direct sun; turn occasionally until they are ripe and yield to gentle pressure.