The Colorado Mamey is a tropical fruit tree native to Mesoamerica, especially southern Mexico and Central America. Known for its impressive height (up to 30 meters) and its intensely orange-fleshed fruit, this tree belongs to the Sapotaceae family and is highly valued for both its flavor and nutritional value.
Its large, glossy, evergreen leaves cluster at the ends of the branches. The small, white flowers grow directly from the trunk, giving rise to large fruits with brown skin and sweet, creamy pulp rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants. Inside, the mamey contains a single, large, hard seed.
This fruit is highly valued in tropical cuisine: it is eaten fresh or added to smoothies, ice cream, desserts, and baked goods. It also has traditional uses in natural medicine and artisanal cosmetics.
The mamey tree grows best in humid tropical climates, in full sun, and in deep, well-drained soils. Although planted from seed, it can take 5 to 7 years to bear fruit, grafting can significantly accelerate its production. It produces one or two crops per year, depending on the climate.
Known by various names in Latin America—such as “mamey sapote,” “red sapote,” or simply “mamey”—this tree is ideal for home gardens, agroecological farms, and productive reforestation projects. Its fruit, highly sought after for its exotic flavor and nutritional value, has significant commercial potential both locally and internationally.
