How to Prepare Mamey Sapote Fruit for Eating

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: March 22, 2021

Mamey Sapote is a tropical fruit that is beginning to show up in farmers' markets and fruit stands in areas outside of its native habitat. The fruit can be eaten fresh and raw, in fruit salad, or used as an ingredient in smoothies, muffins, mousse, pudding, cookies and various sweet breads. The fruit is firm and astringent when green, but quite sweet and soft when ripe. Its flavor is sweet, creamy, nutty, and faintly spicy. Here's how to prepare it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Prepping the Fruit

1
Select a blemish-free fruit from the market. Set it out on your kitchen countertop to soften/ripen.
2
Look for the skin to wrinkle, and the fruit to soften to the touch. If the fruit is fully ripe, you should be able to easily indent the skin with finger pressure.
3
Wash the exterior of the fruit and pat it dry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Cutting the Fruit

1
Cut the fruit in half. Be aware that there may be 1-3 large seeds in the center, so you will need to cut around the circumference of those seeds.
2
Gently pull the halves apart and remove the seeds. Set the seeds aside for planting later if you wish.
3
Peel the skin away from the fruit. If the fruit is ripe, you will be able to do this with your fingers, but if the skin is extra thin or tears easily, you may need to use a paring knife.
4
Eat the peeled fruit. You can eat it with a spoon, cut it into cubes, puree it for use in sweet breads, mousses, jams or include it in any suitable recipe you choose.