The canistel is an evergreen tree native to southern Mexico and Central America. It is cultivated in other countries, such as Brazil, Taiwan, and Vietnam for its fruit.
The canistel grows up to 10 meters high, and produces orange-yellow fruit, also called yellow sapote, up to 7 centimeters long, which are edible raw. Canistel flesh is sweet, with a texture often compared to that of a cooked egg yolk, hence its colloquial name of "eggfruit." It is closely related to the Mamey sapote and abiu.
Canistel trees grow best in all tropical and warm of subtropical climates at altitudes below 4,500 ft, it requiring periodic rain. Trees are also moderately cold tolerant, however young trees can be damaged or killed at temperatures of 29°F and mature trees at 23°F. Canistel trees can even survive and tolerant excessively wet or flooded conditions for several days, however crop production can be impacted.
Trees are in however tolerate moderately windy conditions, and trees pruned to limit their size and allow for wind movement have survived hurricane-force winds without toppling. Established canistel trees can also survive long periods of drought, although impacts the fruit size during such periods.
Planting the tree correctly is very important for successfully establishing growing and growing a strong, productive trees.
Young Canistel trees need to be fertilized a every couple of months in the first year, starting with around 100 grams of fertilizer and increasing to around 500 grams per tree.Periodic pruning of canistel trees can keep trees at a manageable height. Young newly planted canistel trees should be planted and left to grow during their first year so that they can establish themselves quickly. The following year in spring, trees should be trimmed back to encourage branching along the main trunk to encourage the formation of evenly spaced branches.
Canistel is often referred to colloquially as "eggfruit". When ripe, it is said to have a texture similar to that of a thoroughly cooked egg yolk. The meat of the fruit is sweet and edible raw. The exterior of a canistel fruit is a polished skin that, upon ripening, varies in yellow color and orange tones. Canistel fruit is soft, rather than hard, and it is not mostly juicy. Fruit insides are a few large polished black or dark brown seeds. While canistel fruits are not available in most markets in North America, they are available in Florida.
Taste-The fruit has a color of orange to yellow thin skin, and the flesh is dry like a boiled egg yolk. They are usually eaten fresh, used for cooking, pies, and they have a excellent taste in ice cream. In milk shakes they taste like eggnog. They are very related in taste to the Lucuma from Andean countries. It has a sweet taste and is a raw edible fruit to eat. The outside of the fruit having a different taste when compare to inside the seed film.
canistel fruits are more rich in a number of vitamins varieties and nutrients. They are mainly rich in carotene and niacin. They can also having a common, many food scientists and nutritionists feel that they are a very healthy food, and should be integrated into the diet if possible.
100g of Canistel flesh contains about 140 calories, 1.7g protein, 0.1g of fat, 37g carbohydrates, 37mg phosphorus, 58mg Vitamin C.
Niacin: The canistel fruit is a good source of niacin which help convert carbohydrates foods into energy.
Carotene: Carotene helps develop good eyes’ sight. It also helps reduce the risk of cardio-vascular diseases.
Ascorbic acid: Canistel is also a resource for ascorbic acid which boosts the immune system of the body.
Iron: Iron helps in the formation of hemoglobin in the body. It also prevents a person in getting insomnia.
Fiber: Canistel contains fiber which is beneficial in digestive metabolism. It helps prevent constipation. Fiber also regulates blood sugar and lessens bad cholesterol in the body.
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