Cherimoya (Custard Apple)

Cherimoya is a large fruit with olive green skin that varys from heart-shaped to pineapple-shaped, sometimes slightly irregular with curved protuberances across the surface that can look like large scales. Internally, when ripe, the soft flesh is creamy white with a consistency of ice cream or gelatinous syrup.  The fine taste is aromatic, very sweet, though sometimes with nicely balanced acids and sugars, and a tropical flavour of pineapple and banana.

The flesh contains a number of shiny black, hard seeds, which should not be eaten.

Of the various varieties or castas, Negrito is said to have the best flavour, but produces a large proportion of slightly deformed fruit; Pinchudo is recognised as having an excellent sugar to acid balance, but has thin skin and is prone to fruit fly attack; Campas has uniformly large fruit; and Fino de Jerte is sweet, though not particularly aromatic. The latter two are the main commercial varieties.

Cherimoya is rich in antioxydants and a good source of vitamin B6 and potassium.

When ripe, Cherimoya feels dense and delicate with a distinct softness or ‘give’ to the touch. There may be brown discolouration or slight fissures to the skin. The flesh can be eaten with a spoon straight from the fruit, avoiding the seeds.

 Good Fruit Guide Rating: *****

Cherimoya is a wonderfully flavoursome and sweet fruit which many people will find very attractive.

Creamy, flavoursome, exotic.

Names: Cherimoya; Annona cherimola; Custard Apple; Sweetsop; Sugar Apple; various ‘castas’: Pinchudo, Negrito, Fino de Jerte, Campas

 Origin: Cherimoya originated in the Andes in South America (Ecuador, Peru and Chile). It was imported to Spain from the ‘New World’, possibly in the late 18^th or early 19^th century.

Grown in: Spain, particularly between Marbella and Motril (Almunecar); California; most Mediterranean, sub-tropical and high-altitude tropical climatic zones.

 Harvest & Availability: Import of Cherimoya to UK is as follows:

• January:                   Spain
• February:                 Spain
• March:                      Spain
• April:
• May:
• June:
• July:
• August:
• September:
• October:
• November:
• December:                Spain

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