Description
The Sugar Apple has a creamy texture and a sweet vanilla-like smell. It is a popular fruit in tropical regions, known as the Custard Apple, Sweet Sop, Scaly Custard Apple, and Bullock’s Heart. Although the exact origin of the SweetSop tree is unknown, many botanists claim that it is indigenous to the West Indies and Tropical America.
A Brief Overview: General Facts About the Sugar Apple
The Custard Apple or Apple Sugar plant is a small shrub that bears a fruit having a greenish, scaly skin. Its pulp can either be eaten raw or blended into smoothies.
Read till the end to learn about the nutritional value of the fruit and other general information.
General Facts About the Sugar Apple | |
Botanical Name | Annona Squamosa |
Origin | Mostly grown in the West Indies and Tropical America |
Nutritional Value | Vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and Folate |
Toxicity | Ingestion of seeds is toxic for children, cats, and dogs |
Ideal Season | The best season to plant is late spring or early summer |
Health Benefits of Sugar Apple Fruits
Rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium, the Sugar-Apple has numerous health benefits.
- Being a good source of antioxidants, this tropical fruit helps in improving skin health. Reduces the signs of aging and removes wrinkles. Having a high amount of vitamin A, the Sugar Apple plays a vital role in building collagen and strengthening facial muscles.
- It acts like an immunity booster as it has vitamin C, which helps in improving the functioning of white blood cells. In many countries, the sugar apple is still used for medicinal purposes.
- Rich in potassium and magnesium, the fruit is said to have cancer-preventing potential and is also used to treat many heart problems like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Having a rich history and plenty of benefits, the Sugar Apple Custard Apple is said to resemble love, fertility, and abundance.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Annona Squamosa
As has been noted earlier, the ideal growing season for the Sugar Apple is from late spring to early summer. Let us understand the basic growth requirements of this sweet-scented fruit.
Preferable Growing Conditions | |
Light Exposure | 6–8 hours of bright, direct sunlight |
Water Requirement | Enough to keep the soil moist, avoid waterlogging |
Soil Type | Moist but permeable sandy, loamy soil |
Hardiness Zone | 8-12 USDA |
Speaking about the gardening type, make sure that you plant the Sugar Apple trees 15–20 feet apart from each other. Using a natural fiber brush, these trees can be pollinated by hand.
Moving further, the fertilization process of the Sweet sop tree is quite simple. Just ensure that you are using balanced nutrients, specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
User Reviews and Ratings
Review: The fruits were delivered fresh. Creamy pulp with vanilla-like fragrance. Very delicious and juicy.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Fully ripe, soft pulp with a very sweet taste. It has a nice smell and is a tasty fruit. Fresh quality delivered.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Exotic looking, very delicious, delivered safe and fresh.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
FAQs
What is the scientific name of the Sugar Apple?
The botanical name of the Sugar Apple is Annona Squamosa.
What is the exact origin of Custard Apple?
The exact origin of this vanilla-like smelling fruit is unknown, but it is widely grown in the West Indies and Tropical America.
What are the ideal climatic conditions for growing Annona Squamosa?
The ideal season to grow Annona Squamosa is late spring to early summer, and the perfect climatic conditions are tropical or subtropical warm temperatures.