Canistel

canistel Pouteria campechiana, an interesting tropical fruit which is sometimes called eggfruit (or the equivalent in other languages), or yellow sapote (see also sapota), because of its orange flesh; or by names meaning ‘drunk’ since it ferments after falling to the ground. It occurs wild in S. Mexico and a few C. American countries, and is cultivated there and in neighbouring countries, as well as in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and (especially) Cuba.

The fruit can measure up to 12 cm (5 inches) long; and contains one to four hard brown seeds. The skin of the ripe fruit is yellow and shiny. Inside, the flesh is relatively firm but becomes softer towards the centre. ‘It has been often likened in texture to the yolk of a hard-boiled egg. The flavour is sweet, more or less musky, and somewhat like that of a baked sweet potato’ (Morton, 1987). See also lucuma, its close relative.