How to Enjoy a Cherimoya

Cherimoyas provide potassium and vitamins B6 and C.

Mark Twain in 1866 called the cherimoya the "most delicious fruit known to man." Tropical fruits native to South America, cherimoyas have white custardlike flesh, green skin and black seeds. Some describe its flavor as a blend of bananas, strawberries, pineapples, peaches and papayas, while others compare it to frozen custard. The soft flesh is often eaten with a spoon. The seeds are not safe to eat and the skin is also inedible.

Instructions

1. Choose a cherimoya that is green and firm to the touch. Allow the cherimoya to ripen on the counter or in a paper bag until it is slightly soft.

2. Freeze the ripe cherimoya three to four hours for a cool and refreshing treat.

3. Cut the fruit in half and scoop out and eat the flesh with a spoon.

Tips & Warnings

• Use cherimoyas as natural sweeteners. Liquefy it in a blender, and add it to smoothies and hot cereals.

• Do not eat the seeds. Once used as insecticide, cherimoya seeds are toxic.

• Do not eat the skin.

References

• "Sacramento Daily Union"; From the Sandwich Islands; Mark Twain
• Melissa's Produce: Cherimoya
• Self Nutrition Data: Cherimoyas, Raw