Scroll to Recipes with Sapota (Chiku) / चिकू as ingredient
Chiku is a pulpy fruit, also known by other names such as naseberry, mud apples, Sapodilla, and Sapodilla plum. It has several benefits to it like serving as a laxative, providing strength, and also energy. Chiku also treats ailments such as diarrhea, heartburn, inflammation of the food tract, gastritis, etc.
Sapota or Sapodilla is a fruit that belongs to the family Sapotaceae. The scientific name of it is Manilkara zapota. It has a grainy texture and a mildly musky flavor. The plant compound ‘tannins’ in sapota have properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and also antiparasitic effects.
Sapodilla or Chiku is a long-lived, evergreen tree. This tree is a native of southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It is also grown in abundance in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Mexico. Karnataka is the largest producer of chiku in India.
Commonly Known as
| Language | Name | Written as |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | shyku | شيكو |
| Gujarati | Cīku | ચીકુ |
| Hindi | chhiku | चिकू |
| Kannada | Ciku | ಚಿಕು |
| Malayalam | cikku | ചിക്കു |
| Marathi | Cikū | चिकू |
| Punjabi | Cikū | ਚਿਕੂ |
| Tamil | Cikku | சிக்கு |
| Telugu | Sapota pandu | సపోట పండు |
| Urdu | Chiku | چیکو |
Nutritional Profile of Sapodilla
Nutritional profile per 100 gms
- Calories: 83
- Protein: 400mg
- Carbohydrate: 20mg
- Fiber: 5mg
- Fat: 1.1mg
- Sodium: 12mg
- Potassium: 193mg
Source: USDA & Google
Benefits
More Energy
Chiku or sapodilla is a fruit that is high in calories. It is made up of easily digestible sugars fructose and sucrose. They quickly provide energy to the body during exercising or physical activities. And thus, provides strength for more physical activities.
Prevents Cancer
Sapodilla or Chiku is rich in vitamin A. It offers protection against lung and oral cavity cancers. The laxative properties in it also cleanse the digestive tract. It also helps protect the colon wall from dangerous cancer-causing toxins.
Improvement In Vision
Vitamin A is known to provide and help with better vision. Sapodilla is a fruit that is a great source of vitamin A. Hence, due to its presence, sapodilla help in improving your vision. It also results in the improvement of your eyesight.
Good For Immunity Building
Sapodilla is substantial in Vitamin C. It also bears antioxidant properties. All these present in it helps to improve your immunity against various disease-causing germs. Therefore, it helps in building immunity.
Helps With Digestion
Dietary fibers are known to help with digestive and bowel problems. It also helps clear the digestive tract. Sapodilla contains a substantial amount of dietary fibers. Moreover, it also has laxative properties. Hence, it does great in improving our digestion.
Side Effects
Overconsumption of this fruit may lead to problems related to indigestion. You may also feel an itching sensation in your mouth due to Tannin present in it. It can also cause inflammation of the throat causing breathing troubles, especially in children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chiku called in English?
There are multiple names for chiku in the English language. It is called sapota in English. Other names for the fruit are naseberry, mud apples, Sapodilla, and Sapodilla plum.
Chiku grows in what season?
Chiku is a winter fruit hence it grows in the winter season. Mainly during the month of November-December.
Where is Chiku grown in India?
It is grown from Jammu to Dehradun along Shivalik hill. Chiku farms can also be found in Bordi that stretches out past Dahanu, and Gholvad to Udvada in Gujarat. In India, Karnataka and Maharashtra are the largest producers of chiku.
