SafePlants

Cherimoya: The "Ice Cream Fruit"

The cherimoya, also spelled chirimoya, is a delicious and intriguing fruit with a rich history and unique flavor profile.

Considerations for Pets

• Cherimoya has a soft, easily bruised skin that requires careful handling.
• The fruit pulp contains seeds that should not be ingested.

Considerations for Children

• Cherimoya has a soft, easily bruised skin that requires careful handling.
• The fruit pulp contains seeds that should not be ingested.

Quirky Facts

• Mark Twain famously referred to the cherimoya as "the most delicious fruit known to men."
• Some call it "the tree of ice cream" because its flavor is reminiscent of a blend of pineapple, mango, and strawberry.
• It's sometimes described as having a flavor similar to commercial bubblegum.
• The fruit's exterior is described as having a prehistoric look, resembling a dinosaur egg or a Jurassic Park prop.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Annona cherimola
• Common Names: Cherimoya, Chirimoya, Custard Apple, Custard Heart, Sherbet Fruit, Sweetsop, Sugar Apple, Ice Cream Fruit

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Annonaceae
• Mentioned alongside other family members like Atemoya, Sweetsop, and Pawpaw.

Distribution and Habitat

• Believed to be native to the inter-andean valleys of Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.
• Specifically mentioned as thriving in the Mizque and Ayopaya regions of Bolivia.
• The species can be found in southern Mexico and has been introduced to California from seeds brought from Mexico.
• Prefers higher elevations, up to 5000 feet, but can fruit as low as 800 feet.

Morphological Characteristics

• The cherimoya fruit is described as round, oblong, or heart-shaped.
• It has a pitted pale green rind or a shingled skin that is pale green and must be handled carefully.
• Inside, the flesh is ivory-colored, luscious, soft, and sweet.
• The texture is often compared to a soft, non-gritty pear.
• Cherimoya trees have long, elliptically shaped, light green and velvety leaves.

Flavor and Texture

• Its flavor is often likened to a cross between a banana and a pineapple, with hints of mango, coconut, and vanilla.
• The texture is custard-like, smooth, and creamy.