The edible fruit of Manilkara zapota (formerly Achras zapota ), of the family Sapotaceae. Sapodilla is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Ebenales, family Sapotaceae.

Sapodilla ( Manilkara zapota ) is a long-lived, evergreen tree native to the New World tropics. Sapodilla grows to 30-40 m tall. The fleshy, brown fruit is the size of a small tomato, and has the flavor and texture of cinnamon, apple, and pear. It is wind-resistant and the bark is rich in white, gummy latex called chicle . The fruits are very astringent when young and must be fully ripened and soft to be eaten.

The ornamental leaves are medium green and glossy. They are alternate, elliptic to ovate, 7-15 cm long, with an entire margin. The white flowers are inconspicuous and bell-like, with a six-lobed corolla. The fruit is a large globose berry, 4-8 cm in diameter, very much resembling a smooth-skinned potato and containing 2-10 seeds . Inside, its flesh ranges from pale yellow to earthy brown color with a grainy texture akin to that of a well-ripened pear . The flavour is exceptionally sweet. The seeds are black and resemble beans, with a hook at one end that can catch in the throat if swallowed.

The Sapodilla trees yield fruit twice a year, though flowering may continue year round. The fruit has a high latex content and does not ripen until picked. Some are round and some are oval with pointed ends. It is a native of Mexico and was introduced to the Philippines during Spanish colonization.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapodilla