One fruit that doesn’t get enough love during the colder months is the custard apple. Custard apples, or cherimoya, have a somewhat deceiving name. They aren’t actually apples at all, but a type of tree fruit that grows mostly in subtropical regions.
If you’ve never seen a custard apple before, they are a large, cone-shaped fruit with tough skin but custard-like flesh (hence the name!). A tropical fruit, like the pineapple or banana, the custard apple has a sweet taste and smells a little like vanilla.
Custard apples are an excellent source of vitamin B6, and are rich in potassium and magnesium. This means that they can help improve your mood as well as your blood pressure (nice one!). Custard apples also have a high level of antioxidants and fibre – so it may help your immunity, eye and heart health, and aid your digestion (in moderation of course)*.
You can tell when a custard apple is ripe when there’s a bit of give when you squeeze it, like an avocado. If it’s still too hard, then keep it at room temperature next to a banana. Custard apples will keep up to three days when stored in a refrigerator.
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this season’s juicy, sweet custard apples. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. On their own
Custard apples are perfect on their own – cut the fruit in half, discard the seeds, and scoop out the flesh. They can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. Nice, easy, and delicious, we say!
2. Add some toppings
If you have a sweet tooth, try adding some sugar, honey, shredded coconut, nuts or cream to your chilled custard apple.
3. Add to salads and smoothies
The great thing about the custardy flesh of the custard apple is that it goes great in salads, with muesli, yoghurt, or ice-cream. You can puree it for the little ones or add to a smoothie with honey and milk, mango, or any sweet fruit. This is a clever way of getting the high amounts of vitamin C, potassium, and fibre this fruit contains. The flavour of the custard apple will stand out without overpowering the other ingredients, making it a perfect smoothie choice.
4. Add to savoury dishes
Custard apples can also make a great savoury option and can be enjoyed as a sauce served alongside chicken, pork or fish. Chopped up, they can be used in a stir fry, chicken salad or vegetarian curry. They provide a lovely contrast to the salty or spicy flavours in savoury meals. Whenever a recipe calls for a regular apple, why not try subbing in a custard apple instead?
5. Get your bake on
The pulp or flesh can be incorporated into baked dishes – think custard apple muffins or custard apple crumbles (yum!) – and can be served with ricotta, honey, or ice-cream. Custard apples are a great substitute for regular types of apples in your favourite recipe. Why not put a twist on an old favourite? Australian custard apples pair well with vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, honey, nutmeg, orange, pineapple, banana, papaya, and pineapple.
So, if you’re searching for a mood-boosting fruit to enjoy this season, look no further than the custard apple, with QLD varieties available to purchase at Reliable Fruit. Simply enjoy it on its own, in a salad or smoothie, or give our custard apple crumble cake a go.
