Cherimoya, raw, organic?

The cherimoya or chirimoya ( Annona cherimola ) is a tropical fruit that has a sweet aroma. It is processed into juice or the pulp is enjoyed raw . Organic quality is preferable.

Use in the kitchen

The cherimoya is a heart-shaped, roughly fist-sized exotic fruit. It has a gray-green, flat, velvety skin. Its white, creamy flesh is often described as creamy and sweet. It has a pudding-like texture and, depending on the fruit, contains a few to many brown-black, elongated seeds that are not edible. Ripe fruits can be recognized by the fact that the skin can be easily pressed in, similar to mangoes .

In addition to the Cherimoya described here, there are other representatives (species and varieties) of the Annona genus, which differ in size, shape, pulp and peel (see chapter: Further information). In addition to the Cherimoya, the Annona family includes the soursop, the cinnamon apple and the soursop . They all have in common that they contain inedible seeds inside.

What does a cherimoya taste like? The characteristic creamy taste of the cherimoya reminiscent of a mixture of pear, strawberry, pineapple, banana, mango and papaya . The flesh tastes sweet, juicy and tropical and has a light cinnamon note.

How do you eat a cherimoya? To eat the fruit raw, cut it lengthways and remove the stalk. To avoid oxidation and discoloration, you can put a few drops of lemon or lime juice on the cut, cream-colored flesh. You spoon the cherimoya out of its skin like a kiwi, but don't eat the seeds! The seeds are inedible and contain poisonous alkaloids. More on this in the chapter "Danger - Intolerances - Side Effects".

Cherimoyas are best enjoyed raw. The fine pulp can also be used as an ingredient in cold sauces, jam, chutneys or vegan cakes. They are great for breakfast in muesli (e.g. in omega-3-rich pea muesli ), in porridge with chia seeds or linseed, in vegan yoghurt ( soy yoghurt ) and as a raw food smoothie made from fresh fruit and vegetables ( bananas ,blueberries ,raspberries, cucumber, spinach and celery ). Cherimoyas also taste great in mixed drinks, juices, syrups or ice creams and are a great savoury ingredient in salads to give them an exotic touch.

When processing the fruit or juice, you should be particularly careful with your clothing. The juice causes brown stains on the fabric that are difficult to remove.

Vegan recipe for cherimoya mango ice cream

Ingredients: 400 g cherimoya (1-2 fruits), 2 mangos (organic), 1 tbsp organic lemon juice, 1-2 tbsp agave syrup (depending on the ripeness and sweetness of the fruit), optionally some soy yoghurt .

Preparation: Halve the raw cherimoyas, remove the flesh with a spoon and separate it from the seeds. Then put it in a blender. Peel the mangos and cut out the seeds. Then chop into small cubes and put in the blender. Add lemon juice and agave syrup and mix. For a creamy consistency, you can add a little soy yoghurt. Pour the fruit puree into an ice cream mold and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Then position the ice cream sticks in the middle and freeze for another 3 hours. An ice cream maker is ideal for making sorbet.

Vegan recipes with cherimoya can be found under the note: " Recipes that have the most of this ingredient ".

Purchasing - Storage

The cherimoya is one of the typical winter fruits that are imported from tropical and subtropical regions. Its season runs from September to February . ^1,2 During this time, it can be found in supermarkets in Europe and North America among the exotic fruits. Most major retailers such as Coop, Migros, Denner, Volg, Spar, Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, Edeka, Hofer, Globus, MPreis, etc. also have them on offer. They are also available in organic supermarkets such as Denn's Biomarkt and Alnatura .

When unripe, the fruit still feels very firm. If you can wait 1-2 days, it is worth buying it in this state. Depending on your preference, you can then wait for the optimal degree of ripeness, as some consumers want more fruitiness (fruit acid), others more sweetness.

The fruit is only ripe when the flesh of the grey-green fruit gives way slightly when gently pressed. It should then be as firm as an avocado or mango . It is often wrapped in a foam net to protect it.

Storage tips

Cherimoya is a climacteric fruit, meaning it ripens at room temperature. As soon as it is ripe, it should be eaten or processed as quickly as possible. Do not store cherimoya below 10 °C for long, as it cannot tolerate cold, similar to bananas . To ensure that all the fruit you buy does not ripen at the same time, you can keep some of your purchases in the fridge as a trick. This will delay the ripening process. To speed up the ripening process, it helps to place the cherimoya at room temperature next to fruit that gives off ethylene. These include apples and passion fruit . ³

The cherimoya itself also gives off ethylene gas. ³ Therefore, it is best to store very ripe fruit separately from the rest after purchase. Cut fruit should be consumed as quickly as possible or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a short time.

Ingredients - Nutritional values - Calories

Cherimoya (raw) contains 75 kcal per 100 g, which mainly come from carbohydrates . Of the 18 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, 13 g are sugar (covers 14.3% of the daily requirement) and 3 g arefiber . The fat content of 0.68 g/100 g and the protein content of 1.6 g/100 g are relatively low.

The vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) content is 0.26 mg per 100 g, which corresponds to 18% of the daily requirement. This value is comparable to that of avocados (0.26 mg/100g) and plantains (0.3 mg/100g). Nuts are particularly good sources: twice the amount can be found in walnuts (0.54 mg/100g) and hazelnuts (0.56 mg/100g). Pistachios contain 6.5 times as much, at 1.7 mg/100g.

The raw cherimoya contains 13 mg of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) per 100 g, which makes up 16% of the daily requirement. Jackfruit (14 mg/100g), quince (honey apple) (15 mg/100g) and prickly pears (14 mg/100g) have comparable amounts. Oranges have 4 times the amount at 53 mg/100g and real guava has almost 18 times the amount at 228 mg/100g.

Cherimoya contains 287 mg/100g of the mineral potassium . This covers 14% of the daily requirement. A similar amount can be found inblack elderberries (280 mg/100g), soursop (278 mg/100g) and strawberry guava (292 mg/100g). Among fruits, bananas are the most potassium-rich with 358 mg/100g. Dried fruit is an even better source: dried goji berries provide 1,104 mg/100g and dried apricots 1,162 mg/100g. ⁴

The complete ingredients of Cherimoya, the coverage of the daily requirement and comparison values with other ingredients can be found in our nutrient tables. In the article Nutrients explained you will get a detailed insight into the topic.

Health effects

Is the cherimoya healthy? The cherimoya is a healthy snack between meals because it has a low fat content and is a good source offiber . The fruit has a high nutritional value and has numerous health-promoting properties. However, you should still eat it in moderation because of the high sugar content.

The fruits supply the body with many important vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, vitamin C and B vitamins, including pyridoxine, folic acid and thiamine . ⁴ Potassium, for example, has a positive effect on blood pressure and the regulation of high blood pressure and reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. ⁵ Folic acid is involved in the division, formation and regeneration of cells as well as in blood formation. Humans also need the vitamin for the metabolism of certain amino acids, such as the breakdown of homocysteine. An adequate supply of folic acid is particularly necessary during pregnancy to ensure normal development of the fetus. ⁶ The vitamin C it contains plays a valuable role in metabolic reactions, such as the formation of connective tissue or bones, and as an antioxidant. Adequate consumption of antioxidant-acting ingredients protects against cell damage and cancer and supports the immune system and the health of blood vessels. ⁷

Secondary plant substances

Many of the health effects of cherimoya can be attributed to the secondary plant substances it contains. Our article on secondary plant substances provides an overview of the classification of substance groups, their occurrence in foods and possible effects on humans.

The passion fruit contains the following secondary plant substances:

• Isoprenoids
• Polyphenols
• Other organic compounds

However, it should be noted that the composition of the secondary plant substances in passion fruit can vary depending on the variety, time of harvest and growing conditions. Therefore, quantities are only of limited use and should only be understood roughly.

The broad spectrum of different secondary metabolites contributes significantly to promoting health and offers protection against numerous degenerative and chronic human diseases. ⁸

The most important phenolic compounds in cherimoya pulp include flavanols, including (epi)catechin and various derivatives (proanthocyanidins). Proanthocyanidins are a class of polyphenols known for their strong antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. ⁸ Their potential protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract is particularly important. Due to their high digestive stability and low absorption in the intestine, the secondary metabolites reach high concentrations in the intestinal lumen, allowing them to develop their diverse potential at a local level. Studies demonstrate the potential benefit in chronic intestinal inflammation through their anti-inflammatory effect. Epidemiological data also show that the consumption of foods rich in proanthocyanidins reduces the risk of colon cancer. ⁹

The antioxidant potential of cherimoya is due to the presence of acetogenins, proanthocyanidins, flavanols, vitamin C, polyphenols and carotenoids. Free radicals cause oxidative stress, which in the long term leads to the development of diseases and chronic conditions. The antioxidant compounds in cherimoya act as free radical scavengers and protect the body from oxidative damage and stress. In doing so, they help prevent diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with oxidative stress. ¹⁰

Rutin is found in high concentrations in cherimoya extracts. Studies on alloxan-induced rats with type 2 diabetes show that rutin serves as an important alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (AGI) due to its antihyperglycemic effect. AGIs slow down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and thus help to lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, eating the pulp of the fruit has no effect on blood sugar levels after a meal. Cherimoya is therefore a suitable source of health-promoting phytonutrients and functions as a functional food for the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Tea infusions with cherimoya leaves can also be used to treat diabetes. ⁸

A study examined the essential oil extracted from the pulp of the cherimoya fruit for its antimicrobial activity. The oil from the fruit is composed of the following main components: beta-pinene, alpha-terpinolene, beta-fenchyl alcohol and alpha-pinene. The essential oil was found to have in vitro antimicrobial activity against five bacteria and one fungus. ¹¹

Kaurenic acids are other components that have been identified in the pulp of the cherimoya. These compounds have the potential to prevent cardiovascular diseases because they have a vasodilating effect. ¹¹

In addition to the pulp of the cherimoya, numerous studies are also examining the potential of the peel, leaves and seeds. These are also a valuable source of secondary plant substances. Studies show, for example, that the leaves have antimicrobial properties due to the kaempferol they contain. ⁶

In addition, the seeds and leaves of the fruit are rich in acetogenins. Acetogenins are polyketides that occur exclusively in plants of the Annonaceae family. The best-known acetogenins include molvizarin, cherimolin-1, motrilin, annonacin and annonisin, which have proven to be strong antitumor substances. The antiproliferative effect as an anticancer agent has been demonstrated in cancer cell lines such as HeLa (cervical cancer) and IGROV-1 (ovarian cancer). ⁸

Dangers - Intolerances - Side effects

Acetogenins are a class of chemical compounds that are found exclusively in the custard apple family. These compounds act as neurotoxins and are therefore neurotoxic. They also have cytotoxic properties, causing cell and tissue damage. Acetogenins can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain, where they block the mitochondrial respiratory chain and disrupt energy metabolism. Studies have shown that regular consumption of fruits containing acetogens can be associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases (atypical Parkinsonism). ¹²

The Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office ( CVUA ) in Stuttgart examined three members of the annona family, including cherimoya, soursop and Indian banana, for their alkaloid and acetogenin content. The test results show that acetogenins in cherimoya are only found in the seeds. The compounds could not be detected in the pulp. The findings for the papaya fruit and soursop showed acetogenins in the pulp as well as the seeds and peel. The alkaloid content is highest in the peel of the cherimoya, followed by the seeds. In the pulp, on the other hand, only comparatively low levels of alkaloids were recorded. The papaya fruit and soursop have a much higher alkaloid content in the pulp. ¹²

The seeds of the cherimoya are poisonous due to the alkaloids and acetogenins they contain and should therefore not be eaten! The pulp can be eaten without any concerns. The seeds should be removed thoroughly before giving them the pulp, especially to children and toddlers. There is also a risk of choking on the seeds, which can be up to 2 cm in size.

Despite their cytotoxic properties, acetogenins offer promising potential for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.

Allergies to cherimoya are rare. However, there are documented cases of allergic reactions in people with a latex allergy as a result of cross-reactivity. ¹³

Folk medicine - natural medicine

Cherimoya is used in traditional medicine to treat digestive problems and skin diseases. ⁸

Ecological footprint - animal welfare

The ecological footprint of a food depends on various factors. The type of agricultural production (conventional vs. organic), seasonal, regional, domestic production or import by truck, ship or plane, different types of packaging and whether the goods are fresh or frozen all play a decisive role. ¹⁴

Despite extensive research, we do not know the _carbon footprint of cherimoyas. Therefore, we show figures for other tropical fruits that are also grown in subtropical climate conditions. The ecological footprint of avocados is on average 0.6 kg CO ₂ eq/kg. The pineapple generates emissions of 0.9 kg CO ₂ eq/kg and the banana has an average _carbon footprint of 0.6 kg CO ₂ eq/kg. ¹⁴ For the related custard apple, the value is 0.9 kg CO ₂ eq/kg. ¹⁵

When it comes to imported tropical fruits, transport must also be taken into account. Transport-related emissions have an impact on the value of the ecological footprint and can increase it, in addition to emissions from cultivation, production and processing. Cherimoyas from Europe (Spain) are preferable. Imported fruits grown in subtropical and tropical areas require long transport routes. The type of transport and the distance traveled are crucial. For the ingredient pineapple, we explain the influence of different means of transport such as ships or aircraft on the size of the footprint.

We do not have any significant figures on the water footprint of cherimoya. The custard apple, also a member of the annunciation family, requires 967 l/kg. ¹⁵

For detailed explanations of various sustainability indicators (such as ecological footprint, _CO2 footprint, water footprint), see our article: What does the ecological footprint mean?

Worldwide occurrence

There are different views on the origin of the cherimoya: It is believed that it originally comes from the Andean region in Ecuador and Peru. Another hypothesis says that it originated in Central America, as there are many wild relatives there.

The cherimoya was brought to Spain from America. The fruit then spread to Italy, Madeira (Portugal), the Canary Islands, Algeria and Egypt. The cherimoya is now found all over the world and is grown in many tropical and subtropical regions. It can also be found in frost-free areas of the Mediterranean climate. The world's largest producer is Spain. ⁸

Found in the wild

Wild cherimoya trees are mainly found in their original home region. They occur in the somewhat cooler to drier valleys of the Andes, where they can form dense forest stands. ¹⁶

Cultivation - Harvest

The cherimoya grows as a tree or shrub and reaches a height of 5 to 9 m. The leaves are alternate, bipartite and egg-shaped. They converge at the tip and their upper side is slightly hairy. The flowers sit singly or in groups of two or three on short, hairy stems. The flower is divided into three outer, greenish and elongated petals and three inner petals, which have a pink-red color. ¹⁷

The fruits are conical or slightly heart-shaped, 10-20 cm long and up to 10 cm wide. On average they weigh 150-500 g. The green skin is smooth and has a wavy, fingerprint-like structure. Inside the cherimoya are hard, brown or black, bean-like seeds that are 1.25-2 cm long and surrounded by white pulp. ¹⁷

Growing your own

You can buy seeds and fully grown, grafted cherimoya trees for growing at home in shops, including garden centers and online shops. Alternatively, you can plant the seeds from purchased fruits in permeable soil. After a germination period of several weeks to months, the plant begins to grow. ¹⁸

The Cherimoya prefers warm conditions and should be protected from frost and cold temperatures. In winter, it is important that the tropical plant is not exposed to temperatures below 12 to 15 degrees. During this time, the Cherimoya loses its leaves and therefore requires less water in winter. A bright living room or conservatory is suitable for overwintering. From May, the Cherimoya can be placed outside again, ideally in a warm, sheltered location in partial shade. ¹⁸

After 1-2 years, it is recommended to repot the Cherimoya. Since there are no insect species in the DA-CH region that pollinate the Cherimoya, you have to pollinate the plant yourself in order for it to produce fruit, ideally with a brush. ¹⁸

Further information

The cherimoya ( Annona cherimola ) is a fruit tree that belongs to the family Annonaceae . ⁸ The plant family belongs to the order Magnolia, which includes about 140 genera and 2500 species. The three genera Annona, Rollinia and Asimina produce edible fruits. There are about 80 species in the genus Annona.

The fruits of different types of custard apples sometimes look very similar. The cherimoya can therefore easily be confused with other fruits due to its external appearance.

The soursop ( Annona reticulata ) is the most similar to the cherimoya. At first glance, the cherimoya also has great similarities to the custard apple ( Annona squamosa ). However, the skin of the custard apple has curved scales that easily separate from one another when ripe.

The soursop ( Annona muricata ) is also similar to the cherimoya. Both have white flesh that has a similar sweet and sour taste and contains dark seeds. However, they can be distinguished from one another by the larger shape and prickly skin of the soursop.

The Atemoya ( Annona atemoya ) is a hybrid of the Cherimoya and the Custard Apple. Less well-known are the Ilama ( Annona macroprophyllata ), the Narrow-crowned Custard Apple ( Annona stenopetala ) and the Mucosa Apple ( Annona mucosa Jacq.).

Alternative names

The cherimoya is also known as cherimolia, Jamaica apple, custard apple, sugar apple, and sweet sac. Less common synonyms for the fruit are Annona tripetala Aiton and Annona pubescens Salisb. In English it is known as cherimola, cherimoya, and custard-apple. In Spanish it is called anonaposhte, cherimolia, cherimoyer, cherimolla, and cherimoya.

The Cherimoya is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Annone or Annona. However, Annona is the genus name, which is not specific to any species.

The name Cherimoya is derived from the Spanish term "chirimoya" or "chirimoyo". These names are derived from an unknown Indian name. The name, meaning "fresh, round fruit", probably comes from the Peruvian Quechua (ciri and muyu), which means "cold" and "circle".