Star apple
Chrysophyllum cainito L.
Star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito) is an evergreen tree of the sapodilla family; its round, pale-purple glossy fruit holds moist, milky-white flesh with a sweet, cooling taste — a famous specialty of Tiền Giang (Lò Rèn star apple).
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Star apple fruitOverview
Star apple is an evergreen tree 10–20 m tall with a broad crown, its every part exuding white latex. The alternate simple leaves are glossy dark green above and coated with golden hairs beneath — an easy identifying mark. Small pale-purple flowers grow in clusters. The fruit is round to oval, 5–10 cm across, with taut, glossy pale-purple or green skin; ripe flesh is white, juicy and milky with a sweet, cooling taste, usually holding 4–10 flat brown seeds.
Star apple originated in the West Indies and Central America and is grown in many tropical countries; in Vietnam the Lò Rèn star apple of Tiền Giang is the most famous, with others in Bến Tre, Sóc Trăng and Cần Thơ. The ripe fruit is eaten fresh as a cooling, nourishing treat, and also made into smoothies, ice cream and jam. The rind and seeds contain white latex and are not eaten; the wood is used for light carpentry.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- West Indies & Central America30%
- Vietnam25%
- Other Southeast Asia20%
- Others25%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Vitamin CAntioxidant35%
- Dietary fibreSupports digestion35%
- Natural sugarsMild sweetness30%
Uses
- Ripe fruit eaten fresh as a cooling treat
- Smoothies, ice cream, jam
- Wood for light carpentry
Properties
- Taste
- Sweet, cooling, milky
- Value
- Rich in vitamin C and fibre
Habitat & conservation
Humid tropics with even rainfall; deep, well-drained soil.
Conservation
Widely cultivated in the tropics; not threatened.
References
- 1Kew Science – Plants of the World Online: Chrysophyllum cainito — Kew (Plants of the World Online), 2026
- 2Wikipedia – Chrysophyllum cainito — Wikipedia, 2026