Mamey vs. Sapote — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 13, 2024
Mamey refers to the fruit from the tree Pouteria sapota, known for its reddish flesh, while sapote can indicate various fruits from the Sapotaceae family.
Difference Between Mamey and Sapote
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mamey, derived from the tree Pouteria sapota, is specific in its categorization, featuring a distinctive sweet flavor and rough brown skin. On the other hand, sapote is a term used more broadly for several fruit types within the Sapotaceae family, which vary significantly in taste, texture, and appearance.
The flesh of mamey is characteristically reddish-brown with a creamy texture, making it unique among tropical fruits. In contrast, sapote fruits such as black sapote and white sapote have different flesh colors ranging from dark chocolate to creamy white.
Mamey is often consumed fresh, used in smoothies, or made into ice cream due to its rich, sweet flavor. Whereas, various types of sapote are used differently based on their unique flavors and textures; for example, black sapote is often used in desserts for its pudding-like consistency.
Cultivation of mamey is primarily focused in the Caribbean and Central America, reflecting its specific ecological preferences. Conversely, sapote fruits are grown in a wider range of tropical and subtropical regions, demonstrating their varied species and adaptability.
Nutritionally, mamey is rich in vitamins C and A, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, providing numerous health benefits. Sapote fruits also offer nutritional value but differ in their specific vitamin and mineral content depending on the type.
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Comparison Chart
Scientific Name
Pouteria sapota
Various, e.g., Diospyros digyna
Color of Flesh
Reddish-brown
Varies (e.g., dark chocolate)
Texture
Creamy and smooth
Ranges from creamy to pudding-like
Typical Use
Fresh consumption, smoothies
Desserts, fresh consumption
Cultivation Area
Caribbean, Central America
Tropical and subtropical regions
Compare with Definitions
Mamey
Consumed primarily in the Caribbean and Central America.
In Cuba, mamey is a popular ingredient in desserts.
Sapote
Includes types like black sapote and white sapote.
Black sapote, often called chocolate pudding fruit, is delicious in desserts.
Mamey
A tropical fruit with sweet, reddish-brown flesh and a rough exterior.
I blended mamey with yogurt for a nutritious smoothie.
Sapote
Diverse in color and texture of flesh.
The white sapote has a creamy texture that blends well in smoothies.
Mamey
Rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Mamey is often recommended for its high vitamin A content.
Sapote
Refers to various fruits in the Sapotaceae family with differing characteristics.
The sapote at the market today was surprisingly sweet.
Mamey
Has a pit inside that is inedible.
Be sure to remove the pit from the mamey before you start slicing.
Sapote
Widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas.
Sapote trees thrive in the warm climate of southern Mexico.
Mamey
A tree (Mammea americana) of the West Indies and northern South America having glossy leaves, white fragrant flowers, and large edible brown fruit.
Sapote
Sapote (from Nahuatl tzapotl) is a term for a soft, edible fruit. The word is incorporated into the common names of several unrelated fruit-bearing plants native to Mexico, Central America and northern parts of South America.
Mamey
The fruit of this tree, having firm juicy yellow or orange flesh and toxic seeds. Also called mammee apple.
Sapote
A Mexican and Central American tree (Pouteria sapota) having edible oval fruit with rough brown skin and sweet reddish flesh.
Mamey
The evergreen tree Mammea americana, or its edible fruit
Sapote
The fruit of this tree. Also called mamey sapote, marmalade plum.
Mamey
The flowering plant Magnolia guatemalensis
Sapote
Any of several other trees of the American tropics that bear sweet edible fruit, especially Casimiroa edulis, having greenish-yellow fruit with whitish flesh, and Diospyros digyna, a persimmon having greenish fruit with dark brown flesh.
Mamey
The tree Pouteria sapota, or its fruit.
Sapote
The fruit of any of these trees.
Mamey
Tropical American tree having edible fruit with a leathery rind
Sapote
The soft, edible fruit of various South American trees, including the sapodilla.
Mamey
Globular or ovoid tropical fruit with thick russet leathery rind and juicy yellow or reddish flesh
Sapote
Sapotaceae species:
Mamey
Used in traditional medicine in some cultures.
Mamey sap is sometimes used as a natural remedy for skin ailments.
Sapote
Ebenaceae species:
Sapote
Rutaceae species:
Sapote
Tropical American tree having wood like mahogany and sweet edible egg-shaped fruit; in some classifications placed in the genus Calocarpum
Sapote
Brown oval fruit flesh makes excellent sherbet
Sapote
Nutritional content varies by type.
The vitamin C content in sapote makes it a great choice for boosting immunity.
Common Curiosities
Can you eat sapote raw?
Yes, sapote can be eaten raw and is often enjoyed fresh due to its sweet and sometimes pudding-like texture.
Where is mamey commonly found?
Mamey is most commonly found in the Caribbean and Central America.
What is mamey good for?
Mamey is excellent for smoothies, desserts, and is nutritious due to high vitamins and antioxidants.
What are the health benefits of eating sapote?
Sapote fruits are generally rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, and provide dietary fiber.
What does sapote taste like?
The taste of sapote can vary widely; some are sweet and creamy, while others like black sapote taste mild and resemble chocolate pudding.
Is mamey the same as sapote?
No, mamey is a specific type of sapote known scientifically as Pouteria sapota, while sapote refers to a variety of fruits from the same family.
Are all sapotes sweet?
Not all; while many are sweet, some like the black sapote have a more subdued sweetness.
Can you grow mamey outside of the tropics?
Growing mamey outside tropical climates is challenging due to its need for specific environmental conditions.
What's the best way to store sapote?
Sapote should be stored at room temperature until ripe and then refrigerated if not consumed immediately.
What dishes use mamey?
Mamey is commonly used in smoothies, ice creams, and traditional desserts in Latin America.
What are the uses of black sapote?
Black sapote is often used in desserts and smoothies because of its pudding-like consistency and mild flavor.
How do you know when a mamey is ripe?
A mamey is ripe when the skin gives slightly to pressure and the flesh is soft.
How do mamey and sapote compare nutritionally?
Both are nutritious but differ in their specific vitamin and mineral content, with mamey typically being richer in vitamin A.
Is white sapote the same as mamey?
No, white sapote is a different type of fruit within the sapote category, distinct from mamey in both taste and appearance.
How long does it take for a mamey tree to bear fruit?
A mamey tree typically takes several years to begin producing fruit.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
