![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7h3ODxT7k_idJB04-v76dQZtBDTWdhK9P44M2Zn4lMqhRTjcIqcshehrYjI0zw2L_b8ViVX_hI7QIjdAqo1CvnOK6f8L0tnmNhVFzXgAjrHBbE05RZ-LH8bZuOrPZGCfMyFpcnDHDXI/s400/Cherimola+tree+fruit.jpg)
The Cherimoya or Custard-apple (species: Annona cherimola) is an edible fruit tree native to the Andes mountain region of South America. It is now widely planted as a fruit tree. The images in this post are from the south of Spain near the city of Málaga.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAvM7HT3f1hPuOEojVKyxD1yutx5TkREmf3YYH_rmNYTOi-gWSID75cot_Alj6ZnNu-6K30mAxGk4kdArWyCVq5S6WbTsW-6J-d4KLqW-x0S-qakpzKBhmdqnJDyoTCpG-FOd1zV9AWM/s400/Annona+cherimola+fruit+tree.jpg)
The leaves of this spreading tree are about 3-5 inches long with a simple ovate shape, pinnate venation and entire margins. They are also a bit warped.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWRFYe4LRIkOkyNtWmsLDcZnq9LaIPqszQ3yHWXElx7QhlHoQp0KGMQ9laa173iBX_GHsEm63T33M4FLGlEAx-mmya1KR7ohhagirbLo7Y4BGq0iTviI1-wzJbia45adT8a86h-kUImQ/s400/Annona+cherimola+leaf+shape+and+venation.jpg)
The fruit of the Cherimoya is irregular and "heart" shaped in its own unique way. The ripe fruits are green with a smooth skin and a distinct pattern (see image below).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_ZqCz9fAImijhoKmRvUzf9dkbPh5Ki-57WT5M2oq7b5LI6smc_1to7GZwgZn9p8fIIJAcZyDzie4S7MPke6Bf4M_ZWjWqT2AGdk-fDRR_SBQX3aaSl-K7UsO29WkV7WE4whm9OMfji8/s400/Annona+cherimola+fruit+color+and+texture.jpg)
The flesh is a creamy color and quite soft and smooshy when ripe making it easy to eat with a spoon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqWl-fBB02KYMdqFuNBq_z3ZJd83ZPffafdyuJ2xVAd4X-Pj1HscqgxrA3gL7L7MGSzPSa_8e5Ks8kE8GBAM8upFujLbWMwOPGpC-ms9oyxOobxWvwWRl7JtBo14dUiIMxr9J8bJEc-c/s400/Annona+cherimola+-+custard+apple.jpg)
The seeds are roughly almond shaped and black. They are fairly easy to spit out when you get one or several in your spoonful of the soft sweet flesh.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SwX_Pk0Mlaf3geoBeUaCyLMNvGwPJ3m6Ckx-MejA-NUe0hW8Yho9pWVHCkymcH46AyIrpARG3CrHoApF7FB-t05l_QkcAYwRAuIx6Fy4CkCv-JfxXIcY_sKrzff2Vh92RsUQ67yQOFI/s400/Annona+cherimola+seeds.jpg)
The bark on younger trees is smooth but rough and cracked on older trees like the one below.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg8AMm-JG4bJJw-8deBqoq5-dgLlhe0ZXw4Fratge-Vp62cecX0qugBj4IvpIuAg_YPs4L0-Qw087a7Tgza9Iafku_Yg5A_22sz8XRSNNvt4cLoxsJj25bfHQ3yXInMUNAj9YxoQEmYQ/s400/Annona+cherimola+tree+bark.jpg)
we had this fruit in our yard and my father would pick this fruit from the tree and then put it in a serving tray for our dessert...he loves this fruit
ReplyDeleteyour a hero soulsearcher!
ReplyDeleteThis is my new favorite fruit.. and I'm about to plant some of its seeds. :)
ReplyDeleteDoes it have healing properties?
ReplyDelete