Annona squamosa (Sugar Apple)

Botanical name: Annona squamosa

Common names: Sugar Apple, Custard Apple, Sweetsop-Anon, Sweetsop, Atis, Sitafal, Seetha Payam, Araticum, Sharifa

Origin: Tropical America

Very highly regarded in tropical and subtropical areas. Fruits with sweet custard-like pulp are from 3 to 5 inches in diameter with a lumpy green skin and upon maturity the fruit has a bluish or white blush. Some varieties are developed that have a red blush or red skin which are much more attractive. At maturity fruits have a custard like white pulp with small black seeds and the sweet flesh is eaten fresh or used for milkshakes and ice creams. Sugar apples make great container plants, too, so if you don't have much space try growing these in a 10 or 15 gallon tub, and they will still reward you with a number of delicious fruit. Older trees may continue fruiting into January during warm winter. Trees reach full dormancy during cold winters. Varieties: Thai-Lessard, Kampong Mauve.