English Name: African Star Apple / Cherry
Botanical Name: Chrysophyllum albidum
Yoruba Name: Àgbalùmo
Igbo Name: Udara beeke
Ghana Name: Alasa
DESCRIPTION: A tropical yellow/golden fruit with a peach fleshy sticky edible pulp which contains 4—6 seeds.
ORIGIN: The name “star apple” may specifically refer to Chrysophyllum cainto, which is native to West Indies or Caribbean. Popularly called ‘alasa’ by the Ga people of the Greater Accra region of Ghana, African Star Apple is the first borne by the tree Chrysophyllum albidum in the Sapotaceae family. “Adasima” is reportedly the name given to the fruit by the Frantes or the Akans in general. In the Southwestern part of Nigeria, the fruit is called Àgbalùmo and referred to as Udara in Southeastern part of Nigeria.
The fruit is associated with the dry season in Nigeria and has been enjoyed over the years still in season across the tropics where it originated from even as we speak. It is distributed throughout the southern part of Nigeria popular in the tropics and it’s widely distributed in the low land rain forest zones and frequently found in villages.
The fleshy pulp of the fruits is eaten especially as snack and it’s fruit has been found to have higher contents of vitamins. The fruit is common especially during the months of December through April.
NATURAL BENEFITS: The fleshy pulp of the African Star Apple is high in ascorbic acid than oranges and guava. It is also an excellent source of other vitamins and minerals.
USES: Majorly taken as desserts, mocktail or can as well be added to fruit salad. The seeds are also used for local games.
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