Canistel  Pouteria campechiana

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Note:
​We have only seedling trees of Bruce right now!

​'Trompo' (formerly 9681) is a University of Florida selection. The fruit is large, sweet and has excellent texture. 

The canistel or Egg Fruit, is a member of the Sapotaceae (mamey sapote family). In English speaking parts of the tropics it is also known as Yellow Sapote.

This evergreen tree native to Central America is highly adaptable in Florida where it is grown by some backyard growers. The canistel tree is erect and generally no more than 25 ft tall. Trees can be maintained at 10 feet with annual pruning. The tree is easy to grow in sandy soil or even in limestone soil conditions. Canistel trees are wind resistant and require minimal care. These trees do well during long dry periods once established.

Avoid planting in areas that have poor drainage.


Canistel is similar to the texture of cooked pumpkin. It is delicious when mixed with milk products blended with Cinnamon and a little honey. Some say it tastes like eggnog.

This fruit has the consistency of  a boiled egg-yolk. The fruit features a yellow flesh and is somewhat firm and mealy with a little fiber. The fruit matures from November through March. This fruit is delicious eaten out of hand fresh or it can be used in pies, shakes, puddings and other deserts. Pick fruit  when they have a yellow-color. Mature fruit  can be stored at room temperature for about 5 days.  This fruit can also be stored frozen for up to 6 months. It is best mashed with added sugar and then frozen. This is a great low fat healthy vitamin rich fruit. Add some variety to your diet by including fresh or frozen Canistel fruit.

This fruit is a magnificent culinary secret. Any chef that experiments with Canistel will quickly discover a unique ingredient for all kinds of cakes, puddings, pies, butter, jams etc.
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"A rich milkshake, or "eggfruit nog", is made by combining ripe canistel pulp, milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg or other seasoning in an electric blender." Julia F Morton Fruits of Warm Climates

Two popular cultivars are Bruce and Trompo. 

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​Description: 
Evergreen small tree; open-growing tree; upright
Trunk and branches
Branches, if cut, have a clear, milky sap which is an easy way of identification of this tree  
Pruning 
Prune to maintain size for best care and ease of harvest
Flowers
Small greenish, white flowers arranged in small clusters. Canistel will flower on new growth.
Fruit
Size and shape varies. The peel is thin, waxy, smooth with a firm pulp.  Smooth and creamy with a  sweet flavor and smooth to mealy texture.
Season
November-March
Light requirement
Full sun
Soil tolerances
Tolerates most well drained soil including acid and alkaline soil. 
pH preference
5.5-7.5
Drought tolerance
Tolerant of long periods of dry soil conditions
Flood tolerance
Moderately tolerant
Soil salt tolerance
They are not salt tolerant, will likely die if flooded by salt water. Leaves will burn if exposed to persistent salt spray.
Cold tolerance
Young trees damaged at 29 °F (-1.6 °C); mature trees at 23 °F (-5 °C) 
Wind tolerance
Superior wind resistance
Plant spacing
25-30 ft (6.7–7.6 m) 
Invasive potential 
None reported
Pest resistance
Few problems once they are well-established
Hazard
None