The Wonder Fruit - Egg Fruit (Pautaria Campechiana)

EGG FRUIT (also known as Eggfruit or Canistel), belonging to the family sapotaceae. The Eggfruit trees are large, symmetrical, bushy, much branched and evergreen.

The egg fruit crop is indigenous to Malaysia and is also found in the western parts of South India and the tropical regions of South East Asia. The egg fruit tree can reach a height of 20-30 feet.

The egg fruit leaves are large, compound, leathery, 10-15 inches long and 3 inches wide. The egg fruit flowers are medium sized borne on terminal and auxiliary inflorescence.

The fruit from an egg fruit tree tends to be yellowish to orange in color with a somewhat meaty pulp similar in appearance and texture to a cooked egg yolk embedded often with a single large seed. When ripe, the egg fruit pulp tends to have a strong odor, which is musky and the skin color turns from glossy to dull.

Fruit should be harvested from the tree once ripe.

The taste of the egg fruit is rich, unique, sweet and highly nutritious, containing high amounts of carotene & vitamin A. Egg fruit does also provide a great source of protein and vitamin C.

Egg fruit trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. They prefer moderate rainfall, a frost free and dry climate for best cultivation. Egg fruit trees are very adaptable, growing in many soil conditions ranging from heavy clay to loose sandy soils. Loamy soils with good drainage and high organic content stimulate better plant growth and yield.

In terms of irrigation, areas with plenty of well distributed rainfall do not require any special irrigation. In areas with less rainfall, irrigation system may be required with the water requirement and watering frequency being depending on the soil type and rainfall.

Egg fruit trees are generally propagated by seeds. Since the seeds have poor visibility they should be sown immediately after separating them from the fruits. Egg fruit trees can also be propagated by grafting. As there are no specific named varieties of egg fruit, planting materials should be collected from good bearers for best crops. In their natural habitat, small animals and birds play a role in the distribution of the seeds.

Egg fruit trees should be planted at 8m x 8 m distance, basically allowing a total of 156 plants per hectare. They love composted farmyard manure, basically applying around 20 kg of well composted manure along with 250 g N a tree per annum. In the early stages, mild pruning is necessary to provide a good and strong frame.

Egg fruit trees start bearing fruit in 3-4 years, with the season of fruiting being June-July (dependant on the region & local climate).

Ripened fruit should be picked preferably by hand to avoid fruit bruising. Since the fruit skin is very delicate and easily ruptured, they should be handled gently from harvest to the time they reach the store or your kitchen. A well-maintained bearing tree can yield 300 to 400 fruit per annum.

There are no serious pest and diseases that affects this crop. Fruit can be eaten fresh either without removing the skin or peeled. The fruit pulp can also be used in the in a number of recipes.

Egg fruit (pautaria campechiana) belong to the family of Sapotaceae.

Why not try one some of these wonder fruits next time you find them in a fruit shop near you and try one the many recipes.  Enjoy!!