Plant Database
Sugar Apple
Annona squamosa
The Sugar Apple is the classic, beloved "custard apple," instantly recognizable by its distinct, knobby, scale-like segments. Cracking open its green shell reveals sweet, fragrant, creamy-white flesh with a granular, custard texture that clings to numerous hard, black seeds. Its flavor is a direct, sugary sweetness with floral undertones. While it has more seeds and a less smooth texture than cherimoya, its fast growth, prolific nature, and unmistakable nostalgic flavor make it a favorite in tropical gardens worldwide.
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Iconic for its lobed, knobby appearance with defined, scale-like segments.
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Flesh is very sweet, creamy, and fragrant with a pleasant, granular texture.
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A fast-growing, small tree that begins fruiting at a young age.
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More heat-tolerant and drought-resistant than cherimoya but less cold-tolerant.
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Contains many hard, shiny black seeds; seeds are toxic if crushed and ingested.
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The tree is semi-deciduous, often losing leaves briefly in cool/dry winters.
Flavor Profile:
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Flavor: Straightforward, candy-like sweetness with subtle floral and spice notes.
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Texture: Creamy but distinctly granular or lumpy, like a soft, sweet custard with many seeds.
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Best Uses: Primarily eaten fresh by breaking open segments and scooping out the flesh, spitting out the seeds. Also used in milkshakes and desserts.