How are you, my dearest friends? Welcome to Paulina Cocina . Today I want to introduce you to the custard apple . Custard apple...what? you might be asking. The custard apple is a tropical fruit that, if you haven't tried yet, I recommend you go right away and do so.
It's a fruit with a very distinctive and super creamy flavor . You can also use it to make a delicious smoothie , mousse , or a fresh salad, as I'm going to show you. I'm going to tell you a little about its history and its properties, because besides being delicious, it has tons of health benefits.
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About the custard apple
What is custard apple?
The custard apple is a tropical fruit native to the Andes , with a green, raised skin and creamy white flesh . Its flavor is particularly sweet and delicate , very similar to that of a banana or papaya, but with a certain acidity like that of pineapple.
The custard apple has several health-promoting properties, making its daily consumption highly recommended. It's commonly used in beverages, desserts , and even savory dishes .
Origin of the custard apple
There is evidence that it has been a classic crop in the Andean region for over 3,000 years . Native peoples valued the fruit for its flavor and nutritional properties.
Although its origin is South American , more precisely from the region bordering Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru, this tasty fruit spread to many regions, expanding its cultivation to Central America, Asia, Africa and part of Europe .
This fruit also has a special place in the culture and gastronomy of the Andean regions, where it has its own annual festival.
How does custard apple grow?
The custard apple belongs to the Annonaceae family and is a species of the Annona genus. This plant family is known for its edible fruits and is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Its flowers are large, fleshy, and white or yellowish, with a strong, sweet aroma . The fruit develops from the pollinated flowers and grows on the tree until it reaches its full size, which can be 10 to 20 centimeters in diameter.
Fun fact: The flowers of the custard apple tree are hermaphrodite, meaning they have both male and female organs.
What is the difference between soursop and custard apple?
The soursop family also includes the soursop , which is often confused with the custard apple . However, these fruits have some differences:
- The soursop is larger and has green , spiny skin, while the custard apple is smaller and has green, scaly skin.
- The pulp of the soursop is more fibrous and its flavor is more acidic .
When NOT to eat custard apple
The custard apple is a very sweet fruit and contains a significant amount of fructose, the natural sugar found in fruits. While this is one aspect that makes it delicious, it's also the primary reason why some people should limit their consumption —those on diets or sugar restrictions.
Other cases in which you should avoid its consumption :
- People with allergies to tropical fruits, such as kiwi, pineapple, or mango, may also be allergic to cherimoya. I recommend paying attention: if you experience symptoms such as itching or swelling in your mouth when eating the fruit, then I would advise you not to eat it anymore.
- This fruit can be difficult for some people to digest and may cause gastrointestinal problems , such as diarrhea, flatulence, or abdominal pain.
- When it is very ripe , its pulp becomes soft and fibrous, which can be toxic to your health, always make sure to consume the fruit in good condition.
- Special care must be taken to remove all seeds , which can be toxic.
Recommendations for eating custard apple
Important: First of all, the fruit must be ripe , always at its peak, with yellowish-green skin, and emanate a sweet and fresh smell.
- The most common way to eat it is as fresh fruit . To do this, simply cut the fruit in half and remove the seeds and skin. The creamy white flesh to eat it immediately once opened, as it tends to darken quickly, like avocados.
- It can be added to shakes and smoothies by mixing the pulp with milk, yogurt or fruit juice in a blender.
- It can also be used in many desserts such as sweet cakes, mousse, and ice cream, thanks to its creamy, smooth texture that allows it to blend well into preparations.
- It goes great in fruit salads , but also in green salads to give them a sweet flavor and a tropical touch. I recommend checking out all my salad recipes so you don't run out of ideas.
Below I'll leave you a basic, classic, and delicious recipe so you can make the most of this good fruit! If you're Carlos and don't like sweet and sour, you can also eat the fruit in many other ways, and it's perfectly fine.
Bye my people.
Basic custard apple and avocado salad
- Yields: 2 – 4 servings.
- Preparation time: 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe custard apple
- 1 mature avocado
- 1 medium tomato
- 1 medium onion
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to prepare the salad
- Cut the custard apple and scoop out the pulp with a spoon, then cut it into small cubes and set aside.
- Peel and cut the avocado into cubes similar to those of the custard apple. Squeeze the juice from a lemon and sprinkle it over the fruit to prevent browning. Set aside.
- On the other hand, peel and chop the tomato and onion into small pieces.
- Combine the custard apple, avocado, tomato, and onion in a large bowl. Add olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and serve cold.
