Pouteria caimito, the abiu (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐˈbiw]), is a tropical fruit tree originated in the Amazonian region of South America. It grows to an average of 10 metres (33 ft) high, and can grow as high as 35 metres (115 ft) under good conditions. Its fruits’ shape varies from round to oval, pointed at the distal end. When ripe, it has smooth, bright yellow skin and has one to four ovate seeds.[1]† The inside of the fruit is translucent and white. It has a creamy and jelly-like texture and its taste is similar to the sapodilla — a sweet caramel custard. The abiu tree is part of the family Sapotaceae and is very similar in appearance to the canistel.
Abiu is often known as the Australian sapodilla. Even though abiu, which belongs to the Pouteria caimito species, is a fruit plant originating from the area around the Amazon region, the lowlands of Peru and Brazil (South America). In its home country, abiu is a house garden plant or a tree resident on the side of the road. It is called the Australian sapodilla because abiu is widely cultivated commercially in North Queensland, Australia. Since 2006 abiu plants have been planted at the Mekarsari Fruit Garden.
Abiu Fruit Plants are oval to spherical in shape measuring 6-12 cm long, weighing between 300-700g with rounded fruit tips that are smooth to lobed. Abiu fruit plants can be harvested after 3 months from the time the Abiu plant flowers appear.
The Abiu plant has many similarities to the sapodilla durian (Chrysophyllum Cainito). Like other sapodilla plants, the Abiu fruit tree can reach a height of 15 meters. The Abiu fruit tree forms a crown like a pyramid. The shape of the Abiu tree canopy, which is similar to the crown of a fir tree, makes the Abiu tree very beautiful for tabulampot (red: fruit plants in pots), moreover, the very bright and attractive skin color of the Abiu fruit will look more pretty hanging on tabulampot when compared with other sapodilla relatives.
The characteristics of a fully ripe Abiu fruit are very easy to recognize, namely the skin will be yellow. Sweet, soft, juicy and gummy can describe the taste and texture of the Abiu fruit flesh. Although many say that it tastes like young coconut, Abiu is sweeter and more delicious because it has a sweetness level of up to 16 brix. Abiu will be very delicious to eat by splitting it lengthwise or spooning it.
Abiu has a high vitamin C content and also has several health benefits, including being able to treat coughs/sore throats, lung disorders such as bronchitis, treat intestinal worms, constipation, to relieve swelling.