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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, in Haiti as "Kashiman", in French as "Cashiman" in Hindi as sitaphal or Sita's fruit and in Urdu as "Shareefah", in Thai as "Noi-na," 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 Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India, Australia, and Africa. It is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree reaching 10 m tall. The leaves are alternate, simple, oblong-lanceolate, 10-15 cm long and 5-10 cm broad. The flowers 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. Sugar-apple is sometimes confused with this species.
Custard apples are a well-balanced food having protein, fibre, minerals, vitamins, energy and little fat. 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.
100g of flesh will provide over 110% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C and a small custard apple will weigh around 250 grams.
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.
Custard apples are also a good food source of copper.
Source: Wikipedia
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