Fruit
Annona cherimola
S tier
Annona cherimola is cherimoya—the green, scale-patterned Andean custard apple with creamy white flesh tasting of banana, pineapple, and pear blended into soft dessert spoonfruit. Large black seeds scatter through the pulp and are discarded; skin is inedible. Subtropical highlands suit it better than hot wet lowlands. Eat fully soft at room temperature with a spoon; chill briefly for serving. Bruises ruin appearance and speed decay—ship and store carefully. Hand pollination often boosts commercial set. Flavour peaks when fruit yields to gentle pressure like a ripe avocado, not when skin is still hard green.
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Traits
History
Andean cultures domesticated cherimoya in cool subtropical valleys.
Spanish networks moved Annona cherimola into Mediterranean trial plantings.
California and other mild-winter regions established cherimoya orchards.
Spain’s coastal orchards became major commercial cherimoya suppliers.