Pouteria caimito
Pouteria caimito, the abiu, is a tropical fruit tree in the family Sapotaceae. It grows in the Amazonian region of South America, and this type of fruit can also be found in Cuba, the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia. It grows to an average of high, with ovoid fruits. The inside of the fruit is translucent and white. It has a creamy and jelly-like texture with a taste resembling caramel custard.
Description
P. caimito grows to an average of high, and can grow as high as under good conditions.The leaves range from oblong to elliptical. They can be in length and in width.
Abiu may have several flowering periods a year, with potential for both flowers and fruit on the tree at one time. The development time from flower to ripe fruit is about 3 months. The main crop season varies by climate.
The flowers on the tree may occur either single or in clusters of two to five flowers. They appear on the leaf axils on long, thin shoots. The flowers are small with four to five petals. The petals are cylindrical and are white to greenish in color. The flowers are hermaphroditic, meaning they are both sexes. The flowers open in the morning and can stay open for about two days.
Aroma and volatile compounds
Volatile profiling by GC–MS indicates defensive and aroma-related compounds vary by organ: leaves show compounds associated with plant protection, including capsaicin and 1-fluorododecane; unripe fruit includes 5-hydroxy-4-methyl-6-hepten-3-one, methylcyclopentane, 2-hexenal and 3-hexanol; ripe pulp and peel are dominated by ketones and C6 aldehydes such as hexanal and 2-hexenal that contribute to ripening aroma.In Ecuador, the fruits are in season during March and April, but may also produce in other times of the year. In some Brazilian markets, they are sold from September to April, but at this time, they are sparse. Bahia has a short season in February and March. In Florida, the fruits ripen from August to October. In northern Queensland, Australia, the main crop ripens January to March.
Mature abiu trees produce 100 to 1,000 fruits each year. They measure across, vary from round to oval, and are pointed at the distal end. When ripe, they have smooth, bright yellow skin. Inside is a pale, translucent pulp of a custard consistency that is easily scooped out with a spoon; also, a few bits of tougher gel may be found. The fruits have one to four ovate seeds, which are easily removed and are covered with a thin layer of adherent pulp. The fruit has a sweet, mild taste, which may have a hint of pineapple, but is best described as reminiscent of caramel flan. It is often used in ice cream or eaten out of hand.
Unripe fruits contain a gummy and unpalatable latex that hardens upon exposure to air. The skin of the ripe fruit is a pale yellow color with a leathery texture and residual latex. Because mature fruits continue to ripen when picked, the harvest can be timed to allow for transportation to market. However, this period may be as short as five days. Maturation can be recognized by the pale green-to-yellow color break and the ripe fruit can be identified by its yellow coloration and a slight softness.
The abiu varies in form, size, and quality of the fruit. Some have soft and others firm flesh. Some taste bland while others have very nice flavor. In Colombia along the Putamayo River, one variety has large, round fruits that are produced after four years. In Vaupes, Colombia, a variety bears fruit just one year after seeding; however, these fruits are small and contain little pulp.
Similar species
The abiu tree is very similar in appearance to the canistel.Distribution and habitat
P. caimito is commonly considered to be native to the headwaters of the Amazon. It grows wild in the lower eastern part of the Andes from southwestern Venezuela to Peru. It also grows around Tingo Maria and Iquitos, Peru, and it can commonly be found in the Province of Guayas in Ecuador, where it is sold in the markets. The abiu was cultivated by Amerindians and it became widespread in the Amazon, but the origins of the fruit's distribution outside the Amazon is uncertain. In the Amazon basin, it is found to grow heavily in the northern Brazilian state of Pará, but is also found sparsely in collections from the Atlantic rainforest near Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. It can also be found in Colombia in areas such as the regions of Caquetá, Meta, and Vaupes and it is very plentiful in Amazonas, Venezuela and in Cuba. It has also been growing for a very long time in Trinidad and it is endemic in some parts of Southeast Asia like Indonesia and the Philippines.The abiu grows best in areas that have a year-round moist and warm climate. It can now be found throughout most of the Amazon basin. It is a common dooryard tree in the backyards and streets in the city of many Brazilian towns, but it is not usually grown commercially. It has also been introduced outside of the Americas; for example, it is grown on the Pacific island of Tahiti since 1993. The abiu habitats are nearly all tropical. It thrives in a place that has a year-round warm and moist climate, although it has been known to grow well in Rio de Janeiro, which is a somewhat cooler climate. In Peru, it cannot grow above feet in elevation, but in Colombia, it has been found growing up to an elevation of.