*Custard apples are the fruits of tropical tree, Annona reticulata, of the family Annonaceae.

*Also known by different names like bullock's heart or bulls heart because of its heart shaped fruits, and is known as the ‘aristocrat of fruits’.

*The fruit is mostly heart shaped, sometimes irregular or oblong with a shallow depression at the base.

*They have a yellow green or brownish, thin but tough knobby skin with a yellow coloring between the nodules on the skin when fully ripe.

*They have a creamy white, somewhat granular, sweet, soft edible flesh, and hard, dark brown or black, smooth and glossy inedible seeds.

*Only the creamy white flesh is to be eaten and the seeds discarded.

*Buying and storage: Select fruits that are firm (ripe fruits are soft when pressed with the fingers), heavy without any bruises or soft spots. They should have a sweet aroma. Taste best eaten when fresh. Keeps well for up to 3-4 days at room temperature, but will keep up to 2 weeks when refrigerated.

Is it raw?

Yes, fresh custard apples can be eaten raw.

Health Benefits

1. Custard apples are moderate in calories, low in fats and no cholesterol.

2. They have good amount of carbohydrates and a small amount of protein.

3. Low in sodium and good source of potassium, which helps maintain normal blood pressure, reduces the risk of hypertension, helps transmit nerve impulses to muscles, and improves muscle contraction.

4. Moderate source of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which play a very important role in maintaining proper metabolic activities of the body.

5. Moderate source of vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and Vitamin B6, which are essential maintain the normal activities of the body, and enhance the production of energy from the foods we eat.

6. Moderate source of Vitamin A, which enhances the eye sight, fights against acne, and results in smooth radiant skin.

7. Moderate source of Vitamin C, a natural water soluble antioxidant, which enhances the body's immune system, increases the elasticity of skin and blood vessels, increase the absorption of iron from the intestines and prevents bruising of the skin.

8. Good source of dietary fiber. It adds roughage to the contents of the intestines, promotes satiety, promotes the health of the colon, and also helps in relieving constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders, and also helps weight loss and its maintenance.

9. Vitamins A and C are natural antioxidants that scavenge the free radicals from the body and protect the body from degenerative and inflammatory diseases.