#chirimoya

What is this curious object in my hand? With its scale-like pattern, it looks like a dragon's egg but it is actually the fruit of the Cherimoya Tree (Annona cherimola). The Cherimoya fruit is also called a "custard apple". It was a complex flavour similar to pear, custard, pineapple, and mild mango blended together. The inner part of the fruit is silky smooth surrounded by flesh textured like an Asian pear.

The Cherimoya name comes from the Quechua word for "cold seeds" and the plant has been cultivated in the Andes and Central America since prehistoric times. The Cherimoya fruit appears in the exquisite ceramic art of the Moche people from over 2000 years ago. The fruit is still very popular in Peru and Chile, where it is used as ice cream flavouring and in other desserts.

The Cherimoya tree is difficult to cultivate outside its native range due to the lack of natural pollinators and the delicate fruits are challenging to ship. Only recently has this fruit become available in Europe. This fruit is packed with antioxidants, vitamin B, and fibre as well as a potentially harmful toxin called annonacin which can cause nervous system damage. The toxin is concentrated in the seeds and skin, so as long as you avoid eating those part the fruit is safe.

011/100; first chirimoya i’ve eaten in years, somehow i always forget to buy them when they’re in season. does somebody else know what they are? it’s such a tasty fruit.

Custard apples

These fruits are found in India and also in tropical regions of South America.  In Chile they are called chirimoya. Outside they have bumpy green skin, which gets easily bruised, perhaps explaining why they are not so frequently exported. Inside, the soft flesh is creamy coloured and fragrant. The taste is described as similar to custard or vanilla, but there is a slight tang of mango too.

Either way they are good for you. Eating them is said to help cure arthritis, maintain a healthy heart and fight fatigue.  Who wouldn’t want to sink one’s teeth into a succulent fruit that offers these promises as well?

Here, below, is a breakfast plate containing what I guessed to be a custard, made from this fruit.