Santol Fruit

Santol Fruit Tree

Santol is a tree producing fruits. The scientific name of santol is Sandoricum koetjape. Santol tree bears rounded and globular  Fruit which is known in other names as Lolly fruit, Sayai, and wild mangosteen. Santol is a naturally growing tree in the Philippines that grows successfully in the wild. The santol tree is native to South Asia and South East Asia which includes the Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Santol fruit is sweet and sour. The ripe fruit are being sold for the commercial value as a street food fruit and is typically sold with vinegar and salt. Santol production guide includes propagation of santol as a backyard tree. The collection of the fruits are done by hand or by using fruit picker (stick). Farming santol is easy since the fruit tree is already adapt to tropical Philippine climate.

Santol in English

Santol is a Filipino word that refers to the santol fruit and tree. In English language, the plant is known as cotton fruit due to the resemblance of the fruit to cotton when sliced into half. Santol or cotton fruit is not related to cotton.

Santol Images

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Santol Health Benefits

Santol fruit is rich in Vitamin B and Ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is needed by the body's immune system. The santol fruit s is also rich in antioxidants which helps cells from free radicals. Vitamin B boosts up our metabolism, and our brain function.

Santol is rich in dietary fiber for a healthy digestive system.

Santol Fruit

Common santol fruits are yellow in color. Santol fruit has yellow and red variety. The difference is in the color that the older leaves turn before falling. The red color shows when reddish leaves appear with the green leaves on a red santol tree. The red fruits are often the size, shape and slightly fuzzy texture of yellow santol. All santol fruits are characterized by a skin that may be a thin peel to a thicker rind and contain a latex like milky juice. The santol fruit has a central pulp near the seeds may be sweet or sour. Santol seeds are hard and not edible with brown color. In some varieties the outer rind is thicker and is the main edible portion, with a mild peachy taste combined with some taste and the pulpy texture of apples. In others the outer rind is thinner and harder and the inner whitish pulp around the seeds is eaten. The santol tree grows 150 feet in height and has ribbed, pink or yellow-green leaves.