Custard apple (Annona reticulata)

Annona reticulata · Tropical fruit

40 pairings

Annona reticulata is a true custard apple, also called bullock's heart or ox-heart for its lopsided heart shape, and sometimes ramphal or netted custard apple. A relative of the sugar apple, cherimoya and soursop, it stands apart for its smooth, reddish-brown to russet-flushed skin marked with a faint net of polygonal areoles. Inside is soft, pale cream to yellowish flesh with a mild, sweet, custard-like flavour — pleasant but generally considered the least aromatic and least refined of the cultivated Annonas.

Picking a good onedrag

UnderripeOverripe

Colour breakingSweetening, and still firm enough to survive the walk back. Leave it out of the fridge until it gives all over. The black seeds are not food at any stage.Carry this one home

SkinGreen fading to yellow-brown, the netting darkening

GivePresses in slowly at the shoulder, then pushes back

Stem endStalk browning, the shoulder softening around it

SmellA first sweetness held right at the skin

Reading a just ripe one. Move the slider and the rest of this page — nutrition, pairings — re-scores with it.

What one gives you

450 g

Typical weight

one specimen

Preparing