Latin Name - Blighia sapida The Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, brought there in 1793 from its native Africa. It’s related to fruits like lychee and longan, but tastes nothing like them– Ackee has a rich, nutty or creamy flavor and is typically used in savory dishes. “Ackee & Saltfish” is Jamaica’s national dish, and when Ackee fruit is cooked, it absorbs and takes on the flavor of other ingredients quite well. The texture can be compared to heart of palm. Ackee fruit has a bright scarlet-red shell, which splits open when the fruit is ready to be picked. The inner whitish-yellow flesh surrounding the seeds is edible part. CAUTION: Ackee fruit must be fully mature and the shell must physically open while it is on the tree in order to be edible. If eaten before this stage, the fruit can be highly toxic. The Ackee tree grows medium large, not as tall as a mango tree but can still reach 30 feet. It is hardy, easy to grow, and can withstand tropical storms easily. It benefits from irrigation but can withstand dry periods easily. They are reportedly cold hardy down to 26 degrees. Ackee trees are not requested often even by our Jamaican customers, but they are still fairly common to find across south Florida, especially in the West Palm Beach area. _____________________________________________________________________ Size: up to 30’ Sun Requirements: Full Sun Cold Hardy: 26 degrees Harvest Season: Summer Watering requirements: Drought tolerant but benefits from watering. Food Forest Layer: Canopy
