Are sugar apples and cherimoyas the same? This article will dig deeper into the sugar apple vs. cherimoya. Both sugar apple and cherimoya fruits are a part of the Annonaceae family, but the tastes are entirely different.
Are sugar apples and cherimoyas the same fruit?
No, sugar apple (Annona squamosa) and cherimoya (Annona cherimola) are not the same fruit. Both fruits are part of the Annonaceae family, but the name sugar apple and cherimoya are often used for one another.
In different parts of the world, such as Colombia, if you ask for a cherimoya, you could get a sugar apple (A. squamosa) or a cherimoya (A. cherimoya).
Sugar apple (Annona squamosa)
Where did sugar apples originate from?
The sugar apple is a fruit that originated in the South American tropics. Its fruit is known worldwide for its taste and appearance.
What do sugar apples taste like?
Sugar apples have a sweet taste mixed with tropical custard flavors such as mango, pineapple, and bananas. Its white flesh is made up of segments that contain sugar apple seeds.
What does the inside of a sugar apple look like?
Sugar apples on the inside are white with pulp segments enclosing the seeds.
What are the nutritional benefits of sugar apples?
Per 100 grams of sugar apple fruit will provide you with 94 calories, 26.64 grams of carbohydrates, 0.29 grams of fat, and 2.06 grams of protein.
The sugar apple fruit is also rich in vitamins and minerals such as riboflavin (b2), Thiamine (b1), Vitamin B6, Niacin (B3), potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
Cherimoya (Annona cherimola)
Where did cherimoyas originate from?
Cherimoyas originated from the South American tropics highlands.
What do cherimoyas taste like?
Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) tastes like a mixture of fruits such as strawberries, mangos, and bananas.
The fruit is slightly acidic and has a sweet and sour element while eating it.
What does the inside of a cherimoya look like?
The inside of a cherimoya fruit is white with smooth segments of flesh. The cherimoya, unlike the sugar apple’s flesh, is intact and does not fall apart when ripe, unlike the sugar apple.
What are the nutritional benefits of cherimoyas?
100 grams of cherimoya fruit will provide you with 75 calories, 17.70 grams of carbohydrates, 0.70 grams of fat, and 1.57 grams of protein.
The cherimoya fruit is also rich in vitamins and minerals such as riboflavin (b2), Thiamine (b1), Vitamin b6, potassium, and Vitamin E.
What are the similarities between sugar apples and cherimoya?
- Sugar apples and cherimoyas are both parts of the Annona family. Both fruits have a creamy white texture and sweet taste.
- Both fruits are considered delicious and grown widely throughout the tropics.
- Both sugar apple and cherimoya trees are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves in the winter and re-grow new leaves in the early spring.
- Both sugar apples and cherimoyas contain seeds that are not to be eaten.
- Both sugar apple and cherimoya trees bear flowers and new leaves when pruned.
What are the differences between sugar apples and cherimoya?
- Sugar apples and cherimoyas are grown at different elevations. Sugar apples can only be produced at lower elevations, while cherimoya can only be grown in higher elevations.
- Sugar apple and cherimoya leaves are shaped differently. Cherimoya leaves are more oblong and round, while sugar apple leaves are slender and pointed.
- Cherimoya flowers are more slender and slightly longer than sugar apple flowers.
Common questions about sugar apples and cherimoya
Which is better, sugar apple or cherimoya?
Both sugar apples and cherimoyas are delicious fruits part of the Annonaceae family. My favorite overall is sugar apple.
Which fruit is sweeter, sugar apple or cherimoya?
Sugar apple (Annona squamosa) is a much sweeter fruit than cherimoya (Annona cherimola). If you have a sweet tooth, sugar apple is your fruit.
Is sugar apple or cherimoya the same as atemoya?
The sugar apple and cherimoya are different from atemoya. The atemoya is a fruit developed by naturally crossing the two fruits sugar apple (Annona squmoasa) crossed with cherimoya (Annona cherimola).
Do cherimoya (Annona cherimola) trees grow big?
Cherimoya trees can grow up to 15 – 30 feet tall.
Do sugar apple (Annona squamosa) trees grow big?
Sugar apple trees can grow anywhere from 15 – 20 feet tall.
Are there health benefits to eating cherimoya and sugar apple fruits?
Eating cherimoyas and sugar apples can provide many health benefits to your body, such as increased skin and bone health.
Conclusion:
Sugar apples and cherimoyas are both highly sought-after fruit of the Annonaceae family for their delicious taste and health benefits.
The sugar apple (Annona squamosa) is a tropical green, bumpy surface fruit that grows in lower elevations such as Florida. Its taste is sweet and melts in your mouth as you eat it.
The cherimoya (Annona cherimola) is a lime green, a smooth-surfaced tropical fruit that grows better in higher elevations such as California. Its taste is rather sweet and acidic, but its delectable texture makes you crave more.
In the end, sugar apples and cherimoyas are delicious fruits that are part of the Annonaceae family. If you have yet to try these exotic tropical fruits, I highly recommend you go to your local Asian or fruit market to seek them out or grow them yourself. Read this article for more information on how to grow tropical fruit trees.
