Pouteria lucuma

"Lucuma" redirects here. As a genus, this is now included in Pouteria.

Lúcuma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Sapotaceae
Genus:	Pouteria
Species:	P. obovata
Binomial name
Pouteria obovata (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze

Moche Lucuma. 200 A.D. Larco Museum Collection. Lima, Peru

The lúcuma (Pouteria obovata) is a subtropical fruit of Andean origin. It is sometimes known as lucmo. It is also called "eggfruit" in English, a common name also given to the closely related canistel (pouteia campechina). The name "eggfruit" refers to the fruits' dry flesh, which is similar in texture to a hard-boiled egg yolk. The lucuma has particularly dry flesh which possesses a unique flavor of maple and sweet potato. Is a very nutritious fruit, having high levels of carotene and vitamin B3, and other B vitamins. The round or ovaloid fruits are green, with a bright yellow flesh that is often fibrous, but bears an aftertaste that some find odd and unappealing. The lucuma is native to the dry subtropical Andean coastal valleys of Peru; introduced later in other South American countries. It grows at temperate elevations, between 1,000-2,400 metres. Temperatures of its elevated native range make the species technically subtropical, even though its native region is strictly tropical. It has been grown successfully in subtropical foothills of California. Attempts at growing lucuma in Florida's climate typically fail. The largest concentration of this fruit is found in Chile and in the Peruvian regions of Cajamarca, Ancash, Lima, and Ayacucho, It is grown also to a limited extent in Bolivia and Costa Rica. Fruits grown in the Peruvian highlands are considered to be of superior flavor, and are culturally revered. It grows well in most tropical regions, but is not widely favored. Within its own genus there are multiple species considered to have a superior flavor, such as the Mamey (pouteria sapota), Abiu (pouteria caimito), Canistel (pouteris campechina), Green Sapote (pouteris viridis).

It has recently become popular as a dried powder flavoring, and production of Peruvian fruits dried for export is increasing on a large scale. Lúcuma is a popular flavoring for ice cream in its native range, and in Peru even exceeds the demand for more globally popular flavors such as strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.

Lucuma has been found on ceramics at burial sites of the indigenous people of coastal Peru . The Moche people had a fascination with agriculture and often chose to represent fruits and vegetables, including lucuma, in their art.

References

it is a very yummy fruit to make a milkshake out of

External links

• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Pouteria lucuma
• Scientific Information on the lúcuma
• New World Fruits Database