Custard Apple

What Is Sugar Apple (Custard Apple)?

Sugar apple (also known as "custard apple"), is a tropical fruit with a green, scaly skin and a roundish shape (Annona squamosa). It is a close relative of cherimoya and soursop (guanabana), coming from the same Annona genus.

Its interior is white-creamy, sweet, and carries an aroma somewhere between banana and pineapple; each segment contains a large, hard, black seed. Its skin can be easily separated into segments and opened by hand.

Nutritional Values of Sugar Apple

100 g of raw sugar apple contains approximately 94 kcal of energy, ~24 g carbohydrates, and ~4 g fiber; it is rich in vitamin C. Values are approximate.

How Should Sugar Apple Be Consumed?

Sugar apple can be considered part of a balanced diet as a source of vitamin C and fiber; its sugar content is slightly higher than other fruits, so moderate consumption is recommended.

This information is general; sugar apple is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Sugar Apple?

Good sugar apple has pronounced skin scales, gives slightly when lightly pressed, and has no cracks. Ones that are overly hard (unripe) or have brown spots and leakage are not preferred.

• Skin scales should be pronounced and swollen
• Should give slightly with light pressure
• There should be no brown spots or leakage

How Should Sugar Apple Be Stored?

Unripe sugar apple is kept at room temperature; since it softens quickly once ripe, it is recommended to consume it within 1-2 days in the refrigerator.

Using Sugar Apple in the Kitchen

Sugar apple is most often eaten fresh with a spoon; it is also used in making smoothies, ice cream, and dessert sauces. The seeds are removed and discarded, not eaten.

What Is the Difference Between Sugar Apple and Cherimoya?

They are close relatives from the same genus (Annona); sugar apple's skin is more distinctly scaled and separates into segments, while cherimoya's is smooth. Their flavor profiles also differ slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sugar apple seeds edible?

No; since they contain compounds considered hard and toxic, the seeds should be removed and discarded, not swallowed.

How is a sugar apple opened?

The ripe fruit is split in half by hand or with a knife, easily separating along its natural segments; the inside is eaten with a spoon.

Does sugar apple grow in Turkey?

It is not common; it is mostly found imported, in places that sell tropical fruit.