Caimito / Star Apple


Caimito / Star apple

Chrysophyllum cainito 


tropical tree of the family Sapotaceae

 Native to the Greater Antilles and the West Indies

It grows rapidly and reaches 20 m in height.

Also known as cainito, tar apple, star apple, purple star apple, golden leaf tree, abiaba, pomme de lait, estrella, milk fruit and aguay.

The fruits are used as a fresh dessert fruit; it is sweet and often served chilled. Infusions of the leaves have been used against diabetes and articular rheumatism

The fruit has antioxidant properties. 

The bark is considered a tonic and stimulant, and a bark decoction is used as an antitussive. T

The fruit also exists in three colors, dark purple, greenish brown and yellow. 

The purple fruit has a denser skin and texture while the greenish brown fruit has a thin skin and a more liquid pulp; the yellow variety is less common and difficult to find.

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