If one can stand its musky taste, it is one of the best sources of cheap protein food. Egg fruit locally known as “Muttapazhom” for its boiled egg yolk like flesh, is seen grown in homesteads of Kerala, though not commercially exploited. A member of sapotaceae family, it is scientifically named as Pouteria campechiana.
The tree is also called canistel tree, Chicken egg plant, Yellow sapota in other countries. An evergreen tree of great longevity, it has white gummy latex in almost all parts, a character of this plant family. Growing to a height of up to 10 m it thrives well in almost all types of soils. The tree is generally propagated from seeds. Now grafts which bear earlier are also available. The seeds are less viable and should be sown immediately.
The tree yields fruit within 3-5 years. On reaching maturity, a well maintained tree yields 200- 400 fruits per year. The green, hard, gummy, ovoid or round fruits turn....
