Characteristics of Asimina and Annona fruits from the Annonaceae family
Scientific name (Common names) | Appearance | Flavor | Size | Native region |
---|---|---|---|---|
Annona cherimola Mill. (Cherimoya, Chirimoya) | Green, scaly skin, creamy white flesh | Sweet, custard-like (banana, pineapple, strawberry) | 0.5 to 2 kg | Tropical Andean valleys (Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia) |
Annona coriacea Mart. (Araticum) | Greenish-yellow skin, fibrous succulent pulp | Sweet, strong aroma | Up to 1.5 kg | South America (Brazil, Paraguay, the Cerrado) |
Annona crassiflora Mart. (Marolo) | Green-brownish skin, creamy pulp | Sweet, strong odor, unique flavor | Up to 4.5 kg | South America (Brazil, Paraguay, the Cerrado) |
Annona macroprophyllata Donn. Sm. (Anona, Ilama, Papuasa) | Green or pink skin, soft, creamy flesh | Sweet, slightly tangy (pineapple, banana) | 0.5 to 1 kg | Tropical Central America (Mexico, Guatemala) |
Annona muricata L. (Graviola, Guanabana, Soursop) | Dark green, spiny skin, white fibrous flesh | Sweet and tart (strawberry, pineapple) | Up to 4.5 kg | Tropical Americas (Caribbean) |
Annona purpurea Moc. and Sessé ex Dunal (Soncoya) | Rough, brown skin with hooklike projections, stringy pulp | Sweet with a slightly sour undertone | 0.5 to 1 kg | Central and South America (Mexico to Venezuela) |
Annona reticulata L. (Custard Apple, Anona Roja) | Yellowish-green to brown skin, creamy flesh | Sweet, custard-like, slightly grainy (banana, pineapple) | 0.5 to 1 kg | Tropical Americas |
Annona squamosa L. (Sugar Apple, Saramuyo) | Green, knobby skin, creamy white flesh | Very sweet, custard-like (banana, pineapple) | 0.2 to 0.5 kg | Tropical Americas |
Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal (Pawpaw, North American Pawpaw, Indian Banana) | Greenish-yellow skin, custard-like flesh | Sweet, tropical flavor (banana, mango, melon) | Up to 1 kg | Temperate North America (eastern USA) |