Sugar apple

Sugar apple is sometimes called custard apple, but in fact custard apple is another but closely related fruit. This page contains some basic information on sugar apple (or sweetsop) together with some photos and recipes.

 

Scientific name: Annona squamosa
Family: Annonaceae
Order: Magnoliales
Common names: English: Sugar apple, Sweetsop
  Dutch: Suikerappel, Zoetzak, Kaneelappel
Spanish: Anón, Anón de azucar, Anona blanca, Fruta do conde, Cachiman, Saramuyo  
Origin: Caribbean
Distribution:  
Evergreen or deciduous: Semi-evergreen
Flowers:  
Leaves:  
Fruits:  
Climate and weather: Requires a tropical or sub-tropical climate. Below 10°C it will shed leaves. cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. The tree requires sufficient water (rainall over 700mm); during drought it hardly produces fruits.
Pollination:  
Height: Sugar apple is a shrub or small tree that can reach 6 to 8 meters tall.
Crown size:  
Blooming period  
Type of soil:  
Preferred pH:  
Moisture:  
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Growth rate:  
Spacing (close range)  
Spacing (wide range)  
Canopy:  
Pollination: By small insects (bees are not very effective); Hand pollination improves fruit setting
Propagation: In Philippines the fruits are eaten by fruit bats, which helps spreading the seeds.
Insect pests:  
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Harvesting:  
Uses: Usually eaten fresh. Can be used to make wine.

Photos

 

 

Proverbs

  • Teeth as sugarapple seeds. (This proverb in Vietnam originates from an old fashion of Vietnamese ladies. In the 19th century and earlier, fashionable ladies used to stain their teeth in black. The white teethed ladies were ordinary and not so fashionable. So, "Teeth as sugarapple seeds" used to praise a pretty woman who had nice teeth.)
  • Who knows more proverbs about sugar apple? Please send me a message.

Recipes

Sugar apple

Who has a sugar apple recipe for me? Please mail me.