Soursop

Also known asGraviola · Guanabana · Durian Belanda · Annona muricata · 红毛榴莲

Name: Soursop (Annona muricata), also called graviola in Brazil and guanábana in Spanish-speaking countries, and sometimes zuurzak or “Brazilian paw paw.” It is a relative of the cherimoya, sugar apple and custard apple, all of which have their own pages.

Description

Soursop is native to the tropical Americas, in the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America, and has been spread to Africa, South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It is an evergreen tree that produces large, heart-shaped fruits, which can weigh several kilograms, with a dark green, spiny skin.

Inside, the flesh is soft, white and fibrous, with black seeds. The flavour is a unique mix of strawberry, pineapple and citrus with a creamy, tart tang. Soursop is usually eaten fresh or blended, and is widely used in juices, nectars, ice cream, sherbets and candies across Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also sold as tea and supplements, often with unproven claims.

Main nutrition value

Soursop provides vitamin C, fibre, potassium and some B vitamins, and is moderately sweet and tart.

How best to be consumed

Soursop is best eaten fully ripe and soft, spooned out or blended.

1. Wait until the skin gives slightly, then halve the fruit and scoop out the flesh, spitting out the black seeds.
2. Blend with milk or water and a little sugar for a creamy juice, straining out the seeds.
3. Freeze pieces for sorbet, ice cream and smoothies.
4. Discard the seeds, which are toxic.
5. Eat in modest amounts rather than every day.

Overconsumption could cause…

Soursop flesh is fine in modest amounts, but heavy, long-term use of the fruit, leaves or teas has raised some concern.

1. Seeds that are toxic if crushed or chewed, so they must be discarded.
2. A compound called annonacin, found in soursop and related fruits, has been linked in some studies to a rare neurological condition with heavy, long-term consumption, so moderation is wise.
3. Low blood pressure or blood sugar effects in people taking medicines for these, if concentrated products are used.
4. High sugar intake from sweetened juices and nectars.

GroupsTropical FruitsCustard apple family (Annonaceae)Low fatLow sodiumFresh

Related foodsCherimoyaSugar AppleCustard AppleLycheeGuavaFeijoa

Wikipedia — Soursop, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soursop