The Akee: A Fruit Where Timing is Everything
"Akee Rice, Salt Fish Are Nice, and The Rum is Fine Any Time of Year.. . " from "Jamaica Farewell"
The akee, Blighia sapida,
is an attractive medium-sized evergreen tree that originates in western
tropical Africa. Akee has become very popular in other parts of the
world, particularly the Caribbean area, where it is frequently
encountered. It is especially popular in Jamaica, having been
introduced there in the late 19th century. The akee is also grown in
the warmer parts of Florida. Trees have dark green pinnately compound
leaves with 3 to 5 pairs of long leaflets. The small yellowish-green
fragrant flowers are produced throughout the spring and summer and
fruit maturity is usually from late summer through late fall.
Fruits
are quite interesting, being tri-valved and at maturity are a brilliant
red. At full maturity the 2" x 3" fruit splits open along the three
seams exposing three compartments, each of which contains a large shiny
black seed attached to a white or off- white edible aril. This aril is
the only edible portion of the fruit and is usually eaten fresh, or
more often cooked and used as a vegetable.
One word of caution
about akee fruit: it is very toxic if immature or over-mature and can
cause death. Both the seeds as well as the outside red portion for the
fruit are highly toxic and should never be eaten. Note too that only
naturally opened fruits should be eaten. Fruit that has been forced
open prematurely often can cause serious problems. The flavor of the
akee is quite good and it has become very popular in the diet of the
people of many countries, such as Jamaica.
Akee trees grow well
over a wide variety of soil types and are usually seed propagated.
Seedling trees usually begin bearing by the 4th or 5th year although
people sometimes graft them to get earlier production. There are very
few insect and disease problems associated with akee; it is cold
sensitive however, and will be damaged by hard freezes or frost.
Akee
should be fertilized in the home landscape about once every four months
with a balanced general-purpose fertilizer to help increase growth and
fruiting. Although drought-tolerant, the akee should be watered during
our spring dry season about once a week especially when we have dry
conditions. Trees also benefit from being mulched to help discourage
weed competition.
Many people grow akee for the ornamental value
of the tree and colorful fruit and never attempt to eat the fruit. If
you have one planted in your landscape be sure that visitors are
cautioned about picking up fruits on the-ground or from the tree and
consuming them unless they have been trained on how to eat akee at the
proper time. In Jamaica it is reported that a number of deaths occurs
each year from people eating akee at the wrong time.
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