Bring something wonderfully different to your garden with the Abiu Tree (Pouteria caimito), a tropical fruit tree whose bright yellow fruit holds a sweet surprise inside. Cut a ripe abiu in half, pick up a spoon, and enjoy its soft flesh—often compared to caramel custard or caramel flan.
Originally from the Amazon region of South America, abiu offers an exciting addition to a tropical fruit collection or a carefully protected food forest. tropicalfruitnursery.com
Fruit taste & texture
Abiu has white, somewhat translucent flesh with a soft, creamy, jelly-like texture. Its sweetness and caramel-like flavor make it especially enjoyable eaten fresh. Flavor quality can vary between individual trees, particularly when grown from seed. Pouteria caimito
Enjoy ripe abiu:
- Scooped directly from the skin
- Chilled as a simple dessert
- Added to fruit salads
- Blended into sorbet or frozen desserts
Remove the seeds and skin before serving. Cut shortly before eating, as the exposed flesh can discolor. growables.com
Fruit size & appearance
The fruit is round to oval, sometimes with a small pointed tip, and turns yellow as it matures.
UF/IFAS describes a fruit size range of approximately 1.5–4 inches across and 10–25 ounces (283–708 grams). These are published ranges, rather than a measured average for our nursery’s plants. ask.ifas.ufl.edu
Tree size & growth
Abiu can develop into a substantial tree. Regular pruning helps keep the canopy accessible; UF/IFAS recommends maintaining home landscape trees at approximately 8–12 feet through selective pruning. This is a managed height, not a naturally dwarf growth habit. ask.ifas.ufl.edu
Florida harvest season
Typical planning window: September–October.
Suggested Harvest Planner filters: September, October.
Pine Island Nursery lists this harvest window, while UF/IFAS describes Florida production more broadly as occurring in fall. Timing can vary with location, tree selection, and weather. tropicalfruitnursery.com
Use abiu’s estimated harvest season alongside your other fruit trees to explore how it might extend your garden’s harvest.
Plan your harvest before you plant.™
Abiu Tree care
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Sunlight: Choose full sun for growth and fruit production. Pouteria caimito
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Soil: Provide fertile, well-drained soil that retains moisture without staying waterlogged.
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Watering: Water consistently while establishing, adjusting for rainfall. Avoid drought stress during flowering and fruit development.
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Mulching: Mulch the root zone to conserve moisture, keeping the trunk clear.
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Fertilizing: Use a suitable tropical fruit fertilizer according to the label and plant size. Monitor nutrition as the tree grows. growables.com
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Pruning: Shape the canopy while young and maintain accessible branches.
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Cold protection: Abiu is highly cold-sensitive. Young trees may be killed below 32°F, and even mature trees can suffer fatal injury around 29–31°F. ask.ifas.ufl.edu
Growing Abiu in Palm Bay
Choose your warmest sheltered location and plan winter protection before planting. For our Central Florida customers, abiu deserves more attention during cold weather than many common backyard fruit trees.
A movable container can help protect a young plant, although long-term container growing requires adequate root space, pruning, and careful watering.
Harvesting & ripening
Allow fruit to reach maturity and begin developing yellow color before picking. Finish ripening at room temperature. Unripe fruit contains unpleasant sticky latex; enjoy the flesh when fully ripe, and refrigerate ripe fruit briefly if needed. ask.ifas.ufl.edu
Quick Growing Information
| Feature |
Details |
| Common name |
Abiu |
| Botanical name |
Pouteria caimito |
| Family |
Sapotaceae |
| Origin |
Amazon region of South America |
| Fruit skin |
Yellow when ripe |
| Flesh |
White to translucent |
| Flavor |
Sweet, caramel-custard notes |
| Texture |
Soft, creamy, jelly-like |
| Published fruit weight |
Approximately 10–25 oz |
| Published fruit width |
Approximately 1.5–4 inches |
| Light |
Full sun |
| Soil |
Fertile, moist, well-drained |
| Managed tree height |
Approximately 8–12 ft with pruning |
| Florida harvest guide |
September–October; generally fall |
| Cold tolerance |
Very sensitive; winter protection essential in Palm Bay |
| Best use |
Protected tropical gardens and food forests |
Abiu Tree FAQs
What does abiu taste like?
Its sweet flesh is often compared to caramel custard or caramel flan, with a soft, jelly-like texture.
When is abiu harvested in Florida?
Generally in fall, with September–October a useful estimated planning window.
Can abiu grow in Palm Bay?
It needs a warm, sheltered site and reliable winter protection. Cold sensitivity is an important consideration before planting.
How do I know when abiu is ready to eat?
The fruit should be fully ripe with yellow skin. Avoid eating immature fruit, which contains sticky latex.
Is abiu the same as star apple?
No. Abiu is Pouteria caimito. The purple or green star apple commonly sold as caimito is Chrysophyllum cainito.
Will my tree arrive with fruit?
The image illustrates mature fruit. Shipping size, container size, and fruiting status depend on the selected option and available nursery stock.
Grow what you eat. Eat what you grow.™
