Resemblance - The abiu tree is a intermediate evergreen tree, which can grow up to 15 metres in height less than ideal conditions. It range from 6 to 12 cm in length. The fruit weighs between 400 to 700 g, and is sharp at the stigma end. The skin can be hard to chew in texture, 3-5 mm thick and produce a sticky latex. The translucent and white fleshy tissue inside has a caramel flavour adjoining 1-5 seeds.

The Abiu fruit in a circle to oval in shape, occasionally pointed, with smooth bright yellow skin. Cut in semi and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Best eaten when it is chill.

Scientific Name:Pouteria caimito
Taste - It's a creamy sweet caramel/vanilla flavour.A real taste treat when eaten slightly chilled.

Look - The fruit is elliptical- to spherical-shaped. When ripe, the coat turns a yellow color.

The plant explorers, Dorsett, Shamel and Popenoe, serene seeds for the United States Department of Agriculture in Bahia in 1914. In 1915, seeds were received from Lavoras, Minas, Brazil . This species has been planted numerous times at the Agricultural Research and Education Center, Homestead, Florida, but most of the young plants have been killed by frost cold. A small number of trees planted in 1953 fruited in 1962.

The abiu is a occupant of the headwaters of the Amazon. It grows natural on the lower eastern slopes of the Andes as of southwestern Venezuela to Peru. It is often cultivated in the region of Iquitos, Peru.

Ripen at room warmth and store in the refrigerator crisper for a short period. 10°C and 90 - 95% relative moisture.
Fruit is very delicate and wants to be packed carefully.

• 1-2 abiu, per person
• lime juice

Cut abiu in two, take out the seeds. Scoop out the fleshy tissue into a glass bowl. Shake over with a little lime juice to get out the flavour.

Eat only the soft "jelly like" fruit and don't scratch too close to the skin which exudes an unpleasant milk core.