Envoy at 12:51, 26 September 2007

2007-09-26T12:51:41Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Custard-apple
| image = Custapp.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Custard-apple fruit
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Magnoliales]]
| familia = [[Annonaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Annona]]''
| species = '''''A. reticulata'''''
| binomial = ''Annona reticulata''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}

''In some regions of the world, '''custard-apple''' is another name for [[sugar-apple]], a different plant in the same [[genus]].''

The '''Custard-apple''' (''Annona reticulata''), known in English as '''bullock's heart''' or '''bull's heart''', and in Hindi as '''sitaphal''' or Sita's fruit, is a species of ''[[Annona]]'', native to the tropical [[New World]], preferring a low elevation, and a warm, humid climate. It also occurs as [[feral]] populations in many parts of the world including India, Australia and Africa. It is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen [[tree]] reaching 10 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, simple, oblong-lanceolate, 10-15 cm long and 5-10 cm broad. The [[flower]]s are produced in clusters, each flower 2-3 cm across, with six yellow-green petals.

The [[fruit]] is variable in shape, ranging from a symmetrical globose to heart shaped, oblong or irregular. The size ranges from 7-12 cm. When ripe, the fruit is brown or yellowish, with red highlights and a varying degree of reticulation, depending on variety. The flavor is sweet and pleasant, but inferior to that of the [[cherimoya]] or [[sugar-apple]]. The latter fruit is sometimes confused with this species.

Fatty-acid methyl ester of the seed oil meets all of the major [[biodiesel]] requirements in the USA (ASTM D 6751-02, ASTM PS 121-99), Germany (DIN V 51606) and European Union (EN 14214).

A similar fruit, the [[sugar-apple]] (''Annona squamosa''), is also called the sweetsop or, in [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]], ''mãng cầu''.

In Britain '''Custard-apple''' refers to [[cherimoya]] (''Annona cherimola'').

==Nutritional Information==

Custard apples are a well-balanced food having protein, fibre, minerals, vitamins, energy and little fat{{Fact|date=September 2007}}. They are an excellent source of [[Vitamin C]], a good source of dietary fibre, a useful source of Vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium, and with some B2 and complex carbohydrate{{Fact|date=September 2007}}.

100g of flesh will provide over 110% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C and as even a small custard apple will weigh around 250grams then there is no need for supplements to obtain your vitamin C intake if eaten daily{{Fact|date=September 2007}}. Very little vitamin C is stored in the body so it should be taken in every day and as it is lost from food in cooking then fresh food is best. Vitamin C is also an anti-oxidant and as anti-oxidants help to neutralize unstable substances, known as free radicals, that can damage cells. {{Fact|date=September 2007}}

Custard apples are also a good food source of potassium which is most effective in the presence of Vitamin B6 which is also in useful supply in custard apples{{Fact|date=September 2007}}.

Custard apples are also a good food source of copper{{Fact|date=September 2007}}.

==References==
*[http://karen.mychronicles.net/?p=86 Custard apple with pictures of the fruit and the tree]
{{commons|Annona reticulata}}
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2005.05.001 Prospects and potential of fatty acid methyl esters of some non-traditional seed oils for use as biodiesel in India]

[[Category:Magnoliales]]
[[Category:Trees of Brazil]]
[[Category:Fruit]]

Custard-apple - Revision history

Envoy at 12:51, 26 September 2007