SAPODILLA – Alano

SAPODILLA – Alano – Manilkara zapota

The Alano sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) is a popular variety of sapodilla, a tropical fruit tree known for its sweet, caramel-like flavor and smooth, grainy texture. 

Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:

Fruit:

• Size: Alano produces medium to large, oval-shaped fruits, typically weighing between 4 and 8 ounces.
• Shape: The fruit is oval or slightly conical with a rounded end.
• Skin: It has a thin, brown, russet-colored skin.
• Flesh: The flesh is reddish-brown, soft, and juicy with a grainy texture.
• Flavor: Alano is known for its exceptionally sweet flavor, with notes of brown sugar, caramel, and a hint of pear.
• Seeds: It has a few large, black, bean-like seeds.
• Ripening: Sapodillas are typically picked when mature but hard, then allowed to ripen at room temperature. Ripe fruit will be slightly soft to the touch and yield slightly to gentle pressure. 

Tree:

• Size: Alano sapodilla trees are medium to large, growing to a height of 30 to 60 feet.
• Growth Habit: It’s a slow-growing, evergreen tree with a dense, spreading canopy.
• Climate: Sapodilla trees thrive in warm, tropical, and subtropical climates (USDA zones 9-11).
• Hardiness: Alano sapodilla trees are not frost-tolerant.
• Fruiting: Grafted Alano sapodilla trees can start producing fruit within a few years.
• Soil: It prefers well-drained, fertile soil.
• Sunlight: Requires full sun to partial shade. 

In summary, the Alano sapodilla is a popular choice for those who appreciate a very sweet, caramel-flavored fruit. It’s a relatively easy-to-grow tree in warm climates and produces good yields of delicious fruit.