Variety Key Traits:

Pouteria campechiana, commonly known as the cupcake fruit, eggfruit, zapote amarillo, or canistel, is an evergreen tree belonging to the Sapotaceae family. This small tree features branches covered with short brown hairs and narrow elliptical leaves with pointed tips. The flowers grow in leaf axils on cylindrical flower stems, which are also covered in brown, fine hairs, and bloom in the spring.

The fruit of the Pouteria campechiana is a distinctive inverted oval shape, transitioning from green to bright yellow when ripe. The outer skin is very thin, while the middle flesh is thick, fleshy, and egg-yellow, offering a flavor similar to that of egg yolk, which is how it gets its name, 'eggfruit'. The fruit ripens in the autumn. The seeds are oval-shaped, yellow-brown, and glossy.

This fruit thrives in warm, humid climates and is highly adaptable, withstanding both short-term high temperatures and cold weather. It is resistant to drought and can grow in a variety of soils, though it prefers sandy loam for optimal growth. The plant is typically propagated by seed, air layering, or grafting.

Eggfruit is rich in several essential minerals, especially magnesium, calcium, and water-soluble vitamins, as well as trace elements such as iron, zinc, selenium, and copper. Additionally, it is a good source of dietary fiber, which can be extracted from the fruit.

This fruit prefers an annual average temperature range of 24-27.5°C and can endure brief periods of both high heat (up to 40°C) and cold (as low as 1-2°C) without damage. However, low temperatures during the fruit's maturation period can cause it to harden. The plant is relatively resistant to environmental stress, making it a versatile fruit tree for various tropical regions.