The cross and section of
A. reticulata
The custard-apple, also called bullock's heart or bull's heart, is the fruit of the tree Annona reticulata. This tree is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree sometimes reaching 10 metres (33 ft) tall and a native of the tropical New World that prefers low elevations, and a warm, humid climate. It is cultivated in many tropical countries, and also occurs as feral populations in many parts of the world including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India, Australia, and Africa.
The fruits are variable in shape, oblong, or irregular. The size ranges from 7 centimetres (2.8 in) to 12 centimetres (4.7 in). When ripe, the fruit is brown or yellowish, with red highlights and a varying degree of reticulation, depending on variety. The flavor is sweet and pleasant, akin to the taste of 'traditional' custard.
[edit] Cultivars
Illustration of variety
Areolis Angularibus.
- Tikal
- is of excellent quality and medium yield; its flesh is bright-red, except in the white areas surrounding the seeds.
- Canul
- has a medium fruit with a waxy, shiny dark-red surface and purplish red flesh; it is very aromatic and deliciously sweet with few concretions of hard cells.
- Sarteneja
- has a medium fruit with a waxy, shiny red surface and pink flesh with a magnificent taste and texture. Although the fruit is not as attractive in appearance as that of the previous two cultivars. the tree is sturdier.
- San Pablo
- has a long, large fruit with an opaque, light-red surface. The flesh is dark-pink with a good aroma and taste. It is a vigorous, productive cultivar.
- Benque
- has a big conical fruit with a dark-red surface and very tasty dark-pink flesh.
- Caledonia
- has a small fruit with a dark surface: it is very attractive to cochineal insects (Philophaedra sp.), which are not very common in other varieties. The flesh is pink and has an excellent taste.
Young custard apple seedlings
- Chonox
- has a medium fruit with a red skin and juicy. very tasty pink flesh; it is very productive and, for this reason, often has low-quality fruit. It produces abundant flowers in groups of up to 16.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
