Soursop is a tropical fruit, scientifically known as Annona muricata, that has a spiky green exterior and a creamy, white pulp with a sweet and sour taste. Also called graviola or guanabana, it is native to the Americas and grows on a low-branching, shrubby tree that typically reaches 8 to 10 feet tall. The fruit is often used in desserts like ice cream and smoothies, and the leaves have been used in traditional medicine.
Fruit
Appearance:
It is an oblong, heart-shaped fruit with a soft, spiky green skin. The interior is white and fibrous.
Taste:
The flavor is a mix of sweet and sour, described as a hybrid of strawberry, pineapple, and citrus, with a creamy texture similar to banana.
Use:
It can be eaten raw after cutting it open and removing the large, black seeds. It is also commonly processed into juices, ice cream, sherbets, and other desserts.
Plant
The soursop tree is an evergreen that can grow to about 20 feet tall in the wild but is often kept smaller through pruning.
The leaves are glossy, dark green, and have a distinct smell when bruised.
The flowers are solitary and have three yellowish-green outer petals and three dull yellow inner petals.
The tree thrives in tropical climates, prefers high temperatures, and can be sensitive to frost. It needs well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.
Other uses
Different parts of the plant, such as the leaves and seeds, have been used in traditional remedies for various ailments, including headaches, insomnia, and parasitic infections.
Crushed leaves are sometimes used as a natural pesticide against pests like head lice and aphids.
The wood can be used for paper pulp, and the fruit itself is sometimes used as bait in fish traps.
Soursop is a tropical fruit, scientifically known as Annona muricata, that has a spiky green exterior and a creamy, white pulp with a sweet and sour taste. Also called graviola or guanabana, it is native to the Americas and grows on a low-branching, shrubby tree that typically reaches 8 to 10 feet tall. The fruit is often used in desserts like ice cream and smoothies, and the leaves have been used in traditional medicine.
Fruit
Appearance:
It is an oblong, heart-shaped fruit with a soft, spiky green skin. The interior is white and fibrous.
Taste:
The flavor is a mix of sweet and sour, described as a hybrid of strawberry, pineapple, and citrus, with a creamy texture similar to banana.
Use:
It can be eaten raw after cutting it open and removing the large, black seeds. It is also commonly processed into juices, ice cream, sherbets, and other desserts.
Plant
The soursop tree is an evergreen that can grow to about 20 feet tall in the wild but is often kept smaller through pruning.
The leaves are glossy, dark green, and have a distinct smell when bruised.
The flowers are solitary and have three yellowish-green outer petals and three dull yellow inner petals.
The tree thrives in tropical climates, prefers high temperatures, and can be sensitive to frost. It needs well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.
Other uses
Different parts of the plant, such as the leaves and seeds, have been used in traditional remedies for various ailments, including headaches, insomnia, and parasitic infections.
Crushed leaves are sometimes used as a natural pesticide against pests like head lice and aphids.
The wood can be used for paper pulp, and the fruit itself is sometimes used as bait in fish traps.
