History
Sweetsop (Annona squamosa) is native to tropical South America, the Caribbean and West tropical Africa (Mali). It is also called Sugar Apple or Custard Apple or Atte in some places of the world. The fruit is endemic to the island. The cinnamon apple is also called atte in some parts of the world. Its tree is called the attier.
Varieties
There are different varieties of sweetsops according to the fruit color. Generally, the sweepsop is green, the size of an apple with soft scales. It measures about 6 to 10 cm with a diameter of 7 to 10 cm and does not exceed 250 grams. It is the inside of the fruit, a creamy white flesh is edible. It exudes a scent of cinnamon. There is also a rare variety of sweetsop with purple scales and a purplish white flesh and the heart of the fruit. The latter is found in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore.
We know that the fruit is ripe when the scales begin to separate and suggest orange contours and when it feels and it tends to be soft.
The stave is a small tree very branched from 3 to 8 meters high very similar to the soursop (Annona muricata). It can grow even in poor, sloping, rather dry terrain, and can be used to stabilize fragile and degraded areas.
Its deciduous form a wide open crown on a short trunk.
Health benefits
Its vitamin C helps prevent asthma. Its vitamin B6 (niacin) keeps the heart in good condition and reduces cholesterol. The potassium it contains helps reduce blood pressure. Its magnesium is used to help keep the bones in good condition. It allows the body to have more energy.
It prevents neural tube problems for the baby during pregnancy.
Its many small shiny black seeds have insecticidal properties.
Beware! Like the soursop, the sweetsop is not recommended for Parkinson's sufferers. According to researchers, eating this fruit accelerates the effects of the disease (tremors, body stiffness). These fruits contain acetogins, which are plant neurotoxins. While research into these fruits has yet to reach any definitive conclusions, it is agreed that they should be consumed with caution by this type of patient.
Uses
In Martinique, the custard apple is eaten mostly raw but can also be used in the manufacture of delicious juices and sorbets.
