Sugar apple (Annona Squamosa) is the phenomenal fruit of one of the most widely grown species of Annona trees. Its exact place of origin is unknown. Although previously it was believed that it is a native of the tropical Americas and West Indies. Its high Vitamin and mineral contents, along with the unique sweet taste, make it highly popular, especially in the tropics.

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Depending upon where you find them, they have many names, among them include sweetsop, sugar-pineapple, custard apple (Annona reticulata), aajaa thee, seureuba, plaeteib, Gishta (ጊሽጣ), Zimtapfel, foreign lychee, anonablanca, قشطة (ishta), buahnona, noi-na, matomoko, hairico, Khirmish (خرمش), ekistaferi, kachiman, atis.

Still counting: Annona Guatemala, hvaðerþetta, matopetope, fasadabur, conicony, mãngcầu ta (na) sitaphal, sharifa, sitappalam, fruta-do-conde(fruta-pinha), ata, sitaphal, KatuAtha, srikaya, buahnona, pommecannelle or pinyin.

Sweet sop fruit is closely related to guyabano (soursop) but a lot smaller in size without spikes. The tree is highly medicinal, nutritive and therapeutic in nature which suggests its global high demand.

What Is Sugar Apple Fruit?

The fruit is ovoid to near heart shaped, covered in knobby gray/blue/green hues that look almost like scales on the outside and inside, sections of glistening, creamy-white flesh with a shockingly pleasant aroma.

This ata fruit is round to conical, with a thick rind composed of knobby segments. The color is typically pale green to blue-green, with a deep pink blush in certain varieties, and typically has a bloom.

In addition, sweetsop is unique because of the segmentation which tend to separate when ripe, exposing the interior.

Taste and Texture

Custard apple fruit has a creamy yellow or white flesh and a knobby exterior. The flesh is fragrant and sweet, creamy white to light yellow, and tastes minty or like custard while sugar apples seed are very medicinal.

They have green skin but dark red ones are becoming more common as well.

Nutritional Benefits

Sugar apple plant is an excellent source of essential minerals and vitamins which are needed for the healthy functioning of our bodies.

Nutritional Facts

Below is the nutritional value of 100 grams of (sweetsop).

Nutrients Amount (RDA) Water 73.23 gm Energy 393 kg ( 94 kcal) Protein 2.06 gm Carbohydrate 23.64 gm Total dietary fibers 4.4 gm Total fat 0.29 gm Ash 0.78 gm Saturated fatty acids 0.048 gm Mono saturated fatty acids 0.114 gm Polyunsaturated fatty acids 0.040 gm Minerals Calcium 24 mg (2%) Magnesium 21 mg (6%) Potassium 247 mg (5%) Phosphorous 32 mg (5%) Sodium 9 mg (1%) Iron 0.60 mg (5%) Selenium 0.60 mg Copper 0.086 mg Zinc 0.10 (1%) Vitamins Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.110 mg (10%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.113 mg (9%) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.883 mg (6%) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) 0.226 mg (5%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) O.2 mg (15%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 14 μg (4%) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 36.3 mg (44%) Vitamin A, IU 6 IU

Source: usda.gov