Custard Apple Botanical Name: Annona spp (Annonaceae)
	General Description/History: - Heart shaped, covered with nodules - Smooth skin, creating a netted pattern - Dull yellow/green skin - Flesh is yellow/white - Granular texture - Very sweet rich flavour There are two main varieties of custard apple grown; the Pink’s Mammoth and the African Pride. The fruit of the Pink’s Mammoth is the larger of the two and has fewer seeds. The skin of mature fruit is a light yellow/green colour with creaminess between the nodules. The African Pride is usually small to medium in size with less prominent nodules. Botanically, it is formed of many carpers. The fruit varies a little from plant to plant, being heart-shaped, round or symmetrical. One of the deciduous species, it is a small tree growing to 5-8 metres in height. The young shoots have a rusty brown coating, but as they grow, the stems and leaves become smooth. Due to the fact that custard apples bruise easily, it is wise when purchasing to select mature, hard fruit and ripen at home. Select fruit that has pale green skin with a creamy colour between the nodules and free from large black blemishes. The fruit should yield to gentle pressure when ripe. The soft, white flesh of the custard apple is very sweet and easily scooped out with a spoon; therefore the flesh can be eaten straight from the skin or added to a variety of desserts. Its sweet flavour makes it an ideal addition to fruit salads, parfait and Pavlovas. Puree flesh and add to ice cream or use as a base for trifles. Tropical - subtropical conditions are required as greater humidity adds to the success of pollination. High rainfall and good soil drainage is also essential. The custard apple originally came from Peru in South America. It was introduced into Queensland as early as 1874 with a small industry developing in Redland Bay and Brisbane’s southern districts.
	Alternative Names: Atemoya Bullocks Heart Cherimoya Netted Custard Apple Sweetsop
	Varieties: African Pride, Pink Mammoth
	Growing Areas: QLD - Bundaberg, Gayndah, South East, Tropical North NSW - North Coast
	Nutritional Value: An excellent source of vitamin C, a good source of dietary fibre and a useful source of vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium. Custard apples also contain some vitamin B2 and complex carbohydrates. 305kJ/100g.
	Storage/Handling: 15°C and 85-95% relative humidity. Ripen at room temperature. Consumer Storage: Ripen at room temperature and when ripe, store in the refrigerator crisper for a short time.