A member of the Pouteria genus, together with Sapodilla, Canistel and Mamey Sapote, the Abiu is a tropical delight, producing a unique but delicious fruit. Trees produce attractive yellow fruits, with an appearance similar to that of a smooth-skinned Lemon and have become widely cultivated across South America. Within these fruits is a luxurious jellylike flesh with the taste of Caramel, Vanilla and Custard, making for a superb dessert fruit appealing to all palletes. Fruits are delectably sweet with no tartness and are best served chilled where they become quite refreshing and slightly more flavourful, but can also be added to desserts or drinks. Abiu are considered amongst the best of the Sapotaceae family, owing to this smooth, luscious, sweet flesh and are excellent when balanced with Lime or Lemon for those who like an acidic balance. As with other members of the Sapotaceae family, Abiu fruits should be left to ripen fully to minimise the presence of unpleasant latex in the skin of fruits. Abiu trees can develop into reasonably large trees up to 15m tall and even larger in ideal tropical conditions. In cultivation, it is possible to maintain trees at a more easily manageable height of under 4 metres, ensuring they remain both productive and well-suited for backyard cultivation and harvesting. The small, cream coloured flowers are profuse but largely unimpressive. Fruits are commonly borne in bunches, making for effortless harvesting while the vivid, yellow of the fruits makes identifying fruits also trouble-free. As a member of the Pouteria genus and native of the Amazon, the Abiu prefers warm, humid conditions year-round and accordingly thrives in truly tropical climates. The Abiu requires slightly acidic, free draining soil and high, year-round rainfall for best production. For those in marginal cool subtropical climates place Abiu trees in warm sheltered positions for the best chance of success and provide protection from any frost as this will either damage or kill trees. Abiu will tolerate both full sun and dappled shade, the latter potentially preferable if it provides protection and shelter in cooler climates or those with harsh, scorching summers. Abiu trees have a long harvest period of up to half the year, making them ideal for gardeners seeking an extended harvest of fresh fruit across the year. An Amazonian delicacy enticing enough to move to the tropics for yet also adaptable to cultivation with attentive care in subtropical regions, the irresistible fruits of the Abiu make it an essential choice for tropical/subtropical gardens.
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