Black sapote, often called the chocolate pudding fruit, is a tropical to subtropical tree from Mexico and Central America that has found a productive home in coastal Queensland and northern NSW. The Maher variety is the most commonly propagated named selection in Australia, prized for consistent yields and quality flesh. Trees prefer warm, frost-free conditions with a dry season to encourage flowering; they struggle below about 5°C and will not tolerate repeated frosts. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Black sapote has a deep taproot and dislikes waterlogged conditions. Supplement with organic matter at planting and fertilise with a balanced citrus or tropical fruit fertiliser through the growing season. Trees grown from grafted or budded Maher stock will fruit within 3-4 years; seedling trees take considerably longer and fruit quality varies. Fruit is ready to harvest when the skin turns olive-drab and yields to gentle pressure. The chocolate-pudding texture only develops after the fruit softens completely. In WA, no specific movement restrictions apply to black sapote at the time of writing, but check with the WA Department of Primary Industries before importing plant material.