Sapodilla fruit

 Tamarind is a very popular ingredient, which can be used in nearly all kinds of dishes since it gives the individual and unique taste of the sour and sweet type. In Indian foods, tamarind is used in preparing ‘sambar’, ‘ransom’, where sour taste compensates for decaying taste of lentils and spices. It is also used in preparation of chutneys mostly combined with dates or jaggery used the get that sweet and sour combination for the snacks such as samosas or pakoras. Tamarind is an essential component in Southeast Asian food including the Thai’s pad Thai and the Malaysian laksa.

Origen  of sapodilla:

In Mexican cuisine tamarind is used in salsas and mole sauces, where it enriches flavor of a meal. Pulp is also utilized for candies syrups for beverages These pulps also find use in candies and syrups meant for use in beverages. In Middle East and Africa, recipes prepared using tamarind include a stew or as a marinade because its sour nature makes meat tender. In cookery, it complements and sweetens tropical fruits in all classes of meals, and is used in cakes, pies, and preserves. Furthermore, tamarind is used in drinks for example ague de tamarind and in herbal teas. Essential to so many cuisines around the globe, tamarind’s noted taste adapter to savory use in meat or vegetable dishes and sweets as well as the enhancement of drinks from soda pop to cocktails.

Varieties of sapodilla:

An excellent example of a sapodilla tree is that it has several varieties which differ in size, sweetness, and texture. It takes one of the leading types of banana as, for instance, Kalifate that is grown in India and has high sugar content and very soft and sweet taste. Another typology familiar with is the Cricket Ball due to its spherical with big sized shape and the ball type has very densely and the kind of ball is less sweet in comparison with the other type. In Mexico and the Central America a the Alane variety is preferred because of the fine-grained sugary tissues of the pulp. Out of all the Haysi variety which is found in Thailand, This species is known as the best for fresh consumption because of its very large size and extremely sweet taste. Of the Thai varieties, Mako is somewhat smaller and oval, with a tamer flavor. In the Philippines however the Ponderosa variety is normally grown for its high productivity and guaranteed sweetness. New hybrid varieties have also been invented for the very purpose of increasing disease resistance, yield potential as well as heat tolerance. These varieties help to establish that sapodilla can grow in all the tropical and some sub-tropical regions to meet different consumer tastes. Owing to the existence of various types of sapodilla, the fruit continues to be frog and cherished for its taste.

Nutrition value of sapodilla:

Sapodilla is also known as Manilkara zapota, and this fruit is packed with nutrients, and they have the following benefits because of the nutrients contents such as vitamin, mineral, and dietary fiber. Sapodilla contains moderate energy in the form of calories and 100 grams of sapodilla contain about 83 calories. From the point of view of nutritional value it contains natural sugar in its raw form as fructose and sucrose which offer quick energy. The fruit also has high fiber content and can help in digestion and maintain the health of the tummy thus helping to prevent constipation. Sapodilla also contains a good amount of vitamin C which protects the body against the adverse effects of free radicals, enhances skin health and boosts the body immune system. It is rich in Vitamin A that is vital in eye health, skin tissue and cells and is a very vital Vitamin in any food we consume. Sapodilla also provides potassium, iron and calcium and are important for our bone, muscle and blood health. Further, it contains minor levels of folate to regulate metabolism a nutrient necessary for the normal functioning of the brain.  The polyphenol and tannin contents of the fruit reduce inflammation besides preventing oxidative stress. The nutritional values obtained in this study indicate that sapodilla is tasty tropical fruit, which may also have useful impact on the human die.

Characteristics of sapodilla:

Sapodilla, scientifically named as *Manilkara zapota* or chikoo is a tropical fruit that enjoys appreciation for its sweet taste that is as rich as it has a buttery texture. It usually contains a round or oval portion with a brown color hard and leathery skin. Inside, the fruit is crunchy but has a grain like texture of a pear, and the pulp color ranges from amber to light brown. Inside it has a few black and shiny seeds which are inedible but can be easily spat out. Sapodilla has a taste similar to pear and flavored with brown sugar with just a hint of caramel, therefore it is a sweet fruit from tropics. Sapodilla is not only tasty but it also a good source of nutrients. It is also rich in vitamin A that helps in eye sight, has a good amount of dietary fiber which helps in digestion and to prevent constipation. The fruit offers a rich source of antioxidants such as vitamin C to form a shield in the body against damaging free radicals. Also, it has required minerals such as Calcium, Iron, and Phosphorus; helping in building of bones and blood circulation. Being rich in natural sugars, sapodilla is quick energizer for the body and mind. It is usually eaten fresh but also can be used in smoothies, in desserts and milkshakes and thus is a versatile product provided in tropical and sub-tropical climates globally.

Health benefit of sapodilla:

Sapodilla or chikoo is very rich and versatile fruit from nutritional point of view and can provide many health benefits. The fruit also contain a high amounts of dietary fiber and is therefore ideal for regular regulation of bowel movements free from constipation of the large intestine. The high vitamin C level is known to strong the immune system and thus the body can easily fight off diseases and oxidative stress. Also, they have found that sapodilla has antioxidant properties that assist in decreasing inflammation from free radicals and thus improving the overall health at the cellular level. The fruit also contains adequate minerals with the mineral weary being calcium, phosphor, and iron they are very crucial in bone tissue formation, DT; blood coagulation, and prevention of iron-deficiency anemia respectively. Owing to its contents of natural sugar, sapodilla is an instant energy providing food and is recommendable to be taken at mid morning or after exercise. The fruit contains vitamins A and E, which are useful for the skin and hair, moisturizing skin without getting oily and stimulating hair growth. Sapodilla has shown a lot of properties in traditional medicine, which includes anti inflammatory property, which is useful for controlling swelling and healing of the affected area.

Uses of sapodilla:

Sapodilla, also referred to as chikoo, is a fruit that is sweet, and best consumed fresh; however, it can be used in any dish due to the easily side’s digestibility. It has a sweet, almost caramel-like taste that makes it suitable for eating fresh; it is taken in its fresh form by just peeling and pulling out the seeds. It is usually applied in all kinds of sweet dishes, including puddings, custards, cakes and other sweet dishes owing to the natural enriching sweetness of the fruit. It’s also used widely for milkshake mixtures, smoothies and ice creams to enhance the thickness and flavor of the food product. Other than in desserts, sapodilla pulp can also be incorporated in sauces and jams as it is natural sweetener. Sapodilla has been considered an anti-inflammatory agent and traditional medicine uses the fruit with great regard for its effects on the digestive system. While the seeds are hard and indigestible, they are sometime used for the production of oil or as traditional medicines. Further, the sapodilla wood utilized for feasting furniture and tools as it is much hard and durable.. It also has uses as an ornament; the tree is used in providing shade in tropical gardens. This very versatile fruit continues to be cherished in culinary practices, folk medicine and horticulture in the tropical and subtropical world.

Dessert of sapodilla:

Adding Sapodilla to all manner of desserts is perfectly advisable due to the inherent nature of the product which has taste resembling that of caramel. The fruit has a tender, grainy consistency which makes it a perfect complement to further enriching puddings, custards and cakes. Today, if it’s cooked, it can then be blended into a mushy consistency and stirred into milkshakes or ice creams for a more richly flavored dessert. Sapodilla can also be used in fruits .salads; other tropical fruits integral with the flavor of the sapodilla. Its pulp can actually be utilized as a natural sweetener in production of jams and syrups, and complement the simple dessert dishes. In sweet pastries it complements well with warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and is useful in making pies or tarts fillings. Apart from common examples of desserts, sapodilla is used in the preparation of various new formulates including frozen parfaits and no-bake cheesecakes. Its extraordinary and creamy taste also gives it the quality of making any simple or complicated merengue more interesting.

Drinks of sapodilla:

Sapodilla fruit is also suitable to add in many types of beverages due to its innate sugary contents and a high-quality, caramel-like taste. It is mostly used in preparing milk shake and setting fruits like banana and mangoes where its texture when blended with milk, yogurt or fruits are attractive. Sapodilla can also be blended into fruit stocks or on its own, or with some addition of acidic components such as citrus fruits. It can be consumed more indulgently as it adds a delicious element to Iced Lattes or Frappes , giving another dimension to all coffee  based products. The pulp is easily mashes and can be added to most alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages to give the drinker a hint of the islands. Sapodilla syrup is made out of the sapodilla fruit being mashed and strained, it can also be put into cold refreshing drinks perfect for the summer and may also be poured over ice-shaved for a plain yet appetizing dessert. It is a very useful and sweet fruit, which makes it even more ideal for preparing various kinds of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.