CHOCOLATE PUDDING FRUIT
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Diospyros digyna
FAMILY: Ebenaceae
Many of these trees now growing in North Queensland, appear to be too well-looked after, too vegetative, and as a result, are shy bearers. From our experience at Kuranda, it would appear Black Sapotes fruit best in a dryer position, such as sandy soil or a hillside. One tree growing in a rather dry fowlyard, is reported to fruit heavily every year.
The tree should be limed, fertilized and lightly mulched once a year after harvest, and then generally left alone, except during severe dry weather when soil moisture should be maintained.
The resulting fruit will be smaller (4 - 6 cm in diameter), but much more delicious.
When ripe, the fruit develop slight dark stripes and are soft to touch. To those folk who like chocolatey-type soft desserts, but who do not like the sugar and preservatives which generally accompany them, I can thoroughly recommend the Black Sapote, or Chocolate Pudding Fruit, especially when served with cream or ice cream.
DATE: November 1982
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