Pouteria Macrocarpa - Procoló - Head Monkey Abiu
Pouteria macrocarpa, commonly known as Procoló or Monkey-Headed Abiu, is a towering tropical tree in the Sapotaceae family, native to various parts of Central and South America, including Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica. In Brazil, it occurs across a wide range—from the floodplains of Amazonas, Pará, and Roraima, to Mato Grosso, Amapá, Espírito Santo, and even parts of Minas Gerais, growing in both várzea (floodplain) and terra firme (upland) forests.
This majestic species can reach up to 30 meters in height, with trunks measuring as much as 65 cm in diameter. Unfortunately, it is currently considered vulnerable, as its natural populations are declining due to timber exploitation, given the commercial value of its wood.
The fruit of Pouteria macrocarpa is where its true magic lies. The fleshy fruits contain two to four large, oblong seeds, each with a rough, light brown seed coat. On average, the seeds measure 39.6 mm in length, 24.7 mm in width, and 21.3 mm in thickness. While the fruit remains rare in cultivation, those who have tasted it in Brazil consistently describe it as one of the best fruits they have ever eaten. It is exquisitely sweet, with a rich and satisfying flavor, and is traditionally enjoyed fresh, eaten out of hand.
Despite its remarkable taste and impressive stature, Pouteria macrocarpa remains underutilized and under-conserved. Its combination of culinary excellence, botanical rarity, and ecological importance make it a prime candidate for preservation and wider cultivation by rare fruit enthusiasts.
Pouteria macrocarpa, commonly known as Procoló or Monkey-Headed Abiu, is a towering tropical tree in the Sapotaceae family, native to various parts of Central and South America, including Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica. In Brazil, it occurs across a wide range—from the floodplains of Amazonas, Pará, and Roraima, to Mato Grosso, Amapá, Espírito Santo, and even parts of Minas Gerais, growing in both várzea (floodplain) and terra firme (upland) forests.
This majestic species can reach up to 30 meters in height, with trunks measuring as much as 65 cm in diameter. Unfortunately, it is currently considered vulnerable, as its natural populations are declining due to timber exploitation, given the commercial value of its wood.
The fruit of Pouteria macrocarpa is where its true magic lies. The fleshy fruits contain two to four large, oblong seeds, each with a rough, light brown seed coat. On average, the seeds measure 39.6 mm in length, 24.7 mm in width, and 21.3 mm in thickness. While the fruit remains rare in cultivation, those who have tasted it in Brazil consistently describe it as one of the best fruits they have ever eaten. It is exquisitely sweet, with a rich and satisfying flavor, and is traditionally enjoyed fresh, eaten out of hand.
Despite its remarkable taste and impressive stature, Pouteria macrocarpa remains underutilized and under-conserved. Its combination of culinary excellence, botanical rarity, and ecological importance make it a prime candidate for preservation and wider cultivation by rare fruit enthusiasts.
Pouteria macrocarpa, commonly known as Procoló or Monkey-Headed Abiu, is a towering tropical tree in the Sapotaceae family, native to various parts of Central and South America, including Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica. In Brazil, it occurs across a wide range—from the floodplains of Amazonas, Pará, and Roraima, to Mato Grosso, Amapá, Espírito Santo, and even parts of Minas Gerais, growing in both várzea (floodplain) and terra firme (upland) forests.
This majestic species can reach up to 30 meters in height, with trunks measuring as much as 65 cm in diameter. Unfortunately, it is currently considered vulnerable, as its natural populations are declining due to timber exploitation, given the commercial value of its wood.
The fruit of Pouteria macrocarpa is where its true magic lies. The fleshy fruits contain two to four large, oblong seeds, each with a rough, light brown seed coat. On average, the seeds measure 39.6 mm in length, 24.7 mm in width, and 21.3 mm in thickness. While the fruit remains rare in cultivation, those who have tasted it in Brazil consistently describe it as one of the best fruits they have ever eaten. It is exquisitely sweet, with a rich and satisfying flavor, and is traditionally enjoyed fresh, eaten out of hand.
Despite its remarkable taste and impressive stature, Pouteria macrocarpa remains underutilized and under-conserved. Its combination of culinary excellence, botanical rarity, and ecological importance make it a prime candidate for preservation and wider cultivation by rare fruit enthusiasts.