SAPODILLA

Geek talk: Manilkara zapota But we talk: Chikoo (Hindi), sapoti (Brazil) Description: First chewing owes its creation to Sapodilla and the sapodilla tree also functions as the building blocks for a number of products utilized by humans. The first chewing gum not as per the present form was conceptualized long ago by the Mayas and Aztecs. They would boil the ‘chicle’ sap from the Sapodilla, mold it into thick blocks and cut them into small pieces to chew. This was the origination of the first chewing gum [1] Chickoo has a brown skin and it looks like a rounded potato, it has a sweet and grainy flesh. It is high on latex content and is about 4 to 8 cm in diameter. Its tree yields fruit twice a year. The sapodilla or chikoo fruit tree is an evergreen, deciduous tree that grows in the tropical belt, reaching a height of 9 to 12 meters [2]. It is native to American rain forest in Brazil and it is spread over the tropical belt. India along with Srilanka, Indonesia and Malaysia are the major producer of ‘Chikoo’ [3]. . Kitchen Pharmacy:  Vitamin A content on Sapodilla is good for your eye [4]. Due to rich in antioxidants, fiber content and nutrients, it helps to protect cancer [4]. Vitamin C in Chikoo helps to improve the immune system of body [4]. Chikoo contains tannin, a poly phenolic compound, which contains anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties [5]. Nutrition: 1 Cup of Sapodilla Contains

Origin: Mexico

  References:

1. http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/kids/species-profiles/sapodilla
2. http://www.diethealthclub.com/health-food/chickoo-health-benefits.html
3. http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/sapodilla.html
4. http://www.mediherbsolution.com/2013/03/01/15-health-benefits-of-chikoo-or-sapodilla-fruit/
5. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-13/diet/29536684_1_anti-inflammatory-chikoo-properties