Sweet Custard Apple Productive but Small Tree

The custard apple (Annona squamosa) is a small tree that produces sweet, heart-shaped fruit with green, knobbly skin and creamy white flesh. It is native to tropical America but is now cultivated in many parts of the world.

Plantation

Custard apple plantations are usually located in warm, tropical climates with well-drained soil. The tree is usually propagated from seed or by grafting.

The tree grows relatively quickly and can begin producing fruit within 3-5 years. A tree about 2 meters tall can already produce a lot of fruit. Because the tree is not too big, it can be planted in the home yard.

Planting

Custard apple trees need full sunlight, or at least 6 hours per day, and regular watering, especially during the dry season.

The tree in my yard was infested with mealybugs on the fruit. Fortunately, the fruit was only about 1.5 meters from the ground. So the mealybugs were easy to clean with a brush and water with a little detergent soap.

Harvesting

Custard apple is harvested when it is fully ripe but still somewhat hard. The fruit is usually picked by hand to avoid bruising the soft fruit.

If it is soft already, it will usually rot quickly. This is an obstacle to its distribution.

The fruit season is in January-March and September-November. It is a seasonal fruit that can be harvested twice a year. Some articles state that it can be harvested all year round.

YouTube video of harvesting custard apple fruit in the home yard.

Utilization

Custard apple is eaten fresh or processed into desserts, jams, and juices. This fruit is a good source of vitamins C and B, as well as fiber and antioxidants.

In Southeast Asia custard apple is called srikaya. And there is a popular Serikaya jam that is generally sold in Southeast Asia, but this jam is not made from srikaya (custard apple) fruit. Instead, it is made from coconut milk, egg and sugar. Only the name is about similar.

Economy

Custard apple cultivation is an important source of income for many farmers in tropical countries. This fruit is also exported to various parts of the world, where it is considered a delicacy. The taste and texture are somewhat similar to Soursop fruit. But custard apple is much smaller in size.