P
Pulse Beacon

Where are custard apples grown

Author

William Harris

Published Apr 18, 2026

The custard apple is believed to be a native of the West Indies but it was carried in early times through Central America to southern Mexico. It has long been cultivated and naturalized as far south as Peru and Brazil. It is commonly grown in the Bahamas and occasionally in Bermuda and southern Florida.

Which country is the largest producer of custard apple?

Top producer Maharashtra leads the country in custard apple production, with 92,320 tons, followed by Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It is also grown in Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

Why custard apple is called Sitafal?

Mythologically it is said that Sita, wife of Lord Rama during her vanvaas used to eat this fruit. … Its origin is in Sanskrit i.e. “sheet” in hindi means cold and “phal” is fruit and having excess of it can give you cold and also it has a cooling effect on your body so hence the name is Sitafal.

Can you grow custard apple in USA?

The Custard apple tree does best in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11. These are very hot climates and not very many places in North America meet these temperature requirements. There are several examples of these trees successfully growing in southern states like Florida, South Carolina, and Southern California.

Which country has best custard apple?

  • Rank 1. 2020. Canada. $418.0M. Export Value. …
  • Rank 2. 2020. Thailand. $256.7M. Export Value. …
  • Rank 3. 2020. Peru. $220.1M. Export Value. …
  • Rank 4. 2020. Poland. $219.9M. Export Value. …
  • Rank 5. 2020. Chile. $217.1M. …
  • Rank 6. 2020. United States. $170.9M. …
  • Rank 7. 2020. Netherlands. $134.4M. …
  • Rank 8. 2020. Mexico. $133.9M.

Can custard apple grow in Florida?

The Custard Apple is a deciduous fruit tree that is native to the West Indies and was brought to Central America and southern Mexico. It grows regularly in the Bahamas and southern Florida. They are drought tolerant, but the trees grow smaller and shed leaves in dry climates. …

Does custard apple grow in California?

Cherimoya trees (Annona cherimola) are rapidly growing evergreens that are deciduous when grown in the cooler California climate from February to April. They can attain a height of over 30 feet (9 m.), but can also be pruned to restrain their growth.

Why monkeys do not eat custard apple?

In India it is known as aarticum, “shareefa”, sitaphal or seethaphal (literally meaning “sita fruit” as the fruit has too many seeds and monkeys don’t eat them.

Can sugar apple grow in California?

Although their exact origin is unknown, sugar apples thrive in the tropics. They can be grown outdoors in the U.S. only in the southernmost areas of Texas and Louisiana, the Florida peninsula, southwest Arizona, and the coastal and valley regions of California.

Is custard apple and pumpkin same?

Liza is right, it usually refers to custard apple. Hindi names for pumpkin are Kaddoo/Kaddu, Kashi-phal, Lal (red) kaddu or peela (yellow) Kaddu and Kumhra-the ‘ra’ sound at the end of Kumhra is harsh, more like a ‘dra’.

Article first time published on

Can we put custard apple in fridge?

Store a ripe custard apple in the refrigerator. Once ripened, a custard apple won’t keep for long at room temperature, especially not in a warm room. So, place it in the refrigerator for cool storage, where it will keep for up to three (3) days.

Why is custard apple so expensive?

The prices depend on the size of the fruits,“ said Bujji, one of the vendors. The steep fall in the price of custard apple (seetha pazham) due to bulk arrival from Andhra Pradesh and Javvadhu hills is a matter of concern for the farmers of Arunutrumalai hills in Vazhappadi block.

Why is custard apple expensive?

Custard apples sell for around $10 per kilogram, and given a single piece of fruit can weigh up to two kilograms, they can be expensive for the average consumer. Ms Smerdon exports her larger fruit to Malaysia and Singapore where the demand for big produce is high.

Is custard apple a Superfood?

This fruit is high in a number of nutrients, including magnesium and potassium. It’s also rich in powerful antioxidants like vitamin C and carotenoids ( 19 ).

How big does a custard apple tree grow?

In Australia Custard Apple trees are grown in Queensland, and will reach between 3 and 10m in height depending on variety. They are a spreading tree and the fruit produced is sweet.

Are custard apple trees self pollinating?

Custard Apple – Geffner The flavour is exceptionally good and although it performs well it’s not superior to the African Pride. However it is known to be self pollinating and sets fruit every year.

Can soursop grow in Northern California?

In the U.S.,soursop trees can grow in central to southern Florida, southern California, southern Arizona and southern Texas. It also will grow in Hawaii. The tree that produces soursop fruit needs a tropical climate. It will not survive a frost.

How fast does custard apple grow?

Custard apple (Sitaphal) flourishes best in the dry and hot climate. It requires light soil and is generally grown on the slope of hills. The plants are raised from seeds and bear fruit in about 3 to 4 years.

Can sugar apples grow Georgia?

Can You Grow Sugar Apple Trees? Sugar apples need a tropical to near-tropical climate (73-94 degrees F. or 22-34 C.) and are unsuited to most areas of the United States with the exception of some areas of Florida, although they are cold tolerant to 27 degrees F.

Is custard apple a tree?

The custard apple (A. reticulata), a small tropical American tree, gives the family one of its common names. Also known as bullock’s-heart for its globose shape, it has fruits with creamy white, sweetish, custardlike flesh.

Can apple trees grow in Texas?

Many apple varieties can be grown in Texas. … Plant late maturing varieties if you want fruit that will keep well into the winter. Early to Mid-June. Dorsett Golden – yellow, low chill apple for South Texas only.

Are sugar apple trees self pollinating?

Sugar Apple Tree (Sweetsop Tree) Pollination Sugar Apple Tree (Sweetsop Tree)s are self-fertile. You will get fruit with only one plant.

How tall does a sugar apple tree grow?

Remember, sugar apple trees can grow to about 20 ft (6.1 m) high if not pruned to contain their size.

Can I drink water after eating custard apple?

Dr. Aditi Sharma adds, “On general basis, you shouldn’t consume water after a meal or while eating a meal as it washes off all your digestive enzymes and lead to bad digestion. Ideal time to have water after these food items and after our meal is 30 to 40 minutes.”

When should we not eat custard apple?

1. People with diabetes should avoid sitaphal. Sitaphal is a fruit with glycemic index of 54. Rujuta safe that it is not only safe for diabetics but also recommended for them as foods that are of GI 55 and below are recommended for people with diabetes.

Can dogs eat custard apple?

Like regular apples, the seeds of the custard apple contain cyanide, which can be extremely harmful if a dog ingests a large amount of it. …

Can a diabetic take custard?

Sitaphal or custard apple on the contrary is considered good for people with diabetes being a low GI (Glycemic index) food and doesn’t raise your blood sugar levels. It is loaded with manganese and Vitamin C which has an anti-ageing effect on heart and circulatory system.

Is custard apple bad for cough?

Custard apples are also good to prevent cancer, for this reason, since it is rich in alkaloids. Vitamin C is also good for the body’s immunity, so consuming custard apples ensures that you keep colds, coughs and other minor ailments at bay.

Can diabetic patient eat Sitaphal?

Rujuta stated that this was a common fear that people with diabetes must avoid Sitaphal. However, the fact is that the fruit is low on glycemic index. Also, local and seasonal fruits are recommended for diabetics. People who have gained excess fat fear eating Sitaphal as they feel it would harm the body.

Why do custard apples go black?

Infection begins at blossom-end of the fruit and later spreads on entire fruit surface, affected fruits shrivel and they may cling to the tree or fall down. Necrotic spots of 2-10 mm in diameter appear on unripe fruits which turn into dark brown to black spots. These spots coalesce later and cover entire fruit.

How do you eat a custard apple?

Custard Apples are only eaten when soft, and only the flesh is eaten. To eat, simply cut in half and scoop out the white flesh. The Custard Apple should be moist with a pleasant sweet aroma. Once ripe, custard apples can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.