Sapodilla Fruit Tree

This is exactly how the sapodilla sap is being harvested from the tree. They make a cut on the bark in diagonal, so the sap would go down the tree to be collected in a container.

After, the sap is boiled until it thickens to be able to be rolled and cut into pieces. Those pieces are ready-made chewing gums with a natural long-lasting flavor. (Ah, I wish those times were back...)

Sapodilla fruit

Do you know where chewing gum comes from? Well, it's exactly from the sap of the tree that I am introducing to you today. It's called Sapodilla.
Its fruit has an exceptionally sweet, malty flavor. Many believe the flavor bears a striking resemblance to caramel or a candied pear with brown sugar, or a sweet mix of brown sugar and root beer. But! only when it’s ripe; green sapodilla fruit literally tastes like crap.

The fruit is served as it is - raw and not peeled. You just cut it in half and scoop out the flesh just like a ice-cream.
People call the plant a chewing gum tree, because, as I mentioned earlier, sapodilla tree is also the source of chicle, a chewing gum component. Chicle is derived from the milky juice (latex) of the sapodilla tree. This tree is found mainly in the areas of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, which lie within the Yucatan Peninsula. And I'll talk about harvesting the tree sap in my next post.