(CLAIR) – The fruit Mark Twain once called, “the most delicious fruit known to man,” is now in season and available at Underwood Family Farms Market in Somis.
This fruit, known as a cherimoya, is a must-try for anyone who hasn’t yet experienced its unique flavor. The cherimoya is a species of fruit-bearing plant native to Ecuador and Peru, and is grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Botanist Berthold Carl Seemann called the cherimoya, along with the pineapple and mangosteen, one of the finest fruits in the world. Another botanist, Thaddeus Haenke, referred to the cherimoya as a masterpiece of nature.
The creamy texture of the flesh has earned the fruit the nickname “custard apple”. Different varieties of cherimoyas have different flavors, textures, and shapes. The flavor of the flesh can range from mellow sweet to tangy or acidic sweet, with hints of pineapple, banana, pear, papaya, strawberry, or other fruits. The ripened flesh is creamy white, and the skin turns green and gives slightly to pressure when ripe. Some describe the fruit’s flavor as a blend of banana, pineapple, papaya, peach, and strawberry.
The cherimoya can be chilled and eaten with a spoon, earning it another nickname, “the ice cream fruit”. In Peru and Chile, it is commonly used in ice creams and yogurt. When the fruit is ripe and has a fresh, fully mature green-yellow skin color, its texture is similar to a soft-ripe pear and papaya.
Underwood Family Farms Market has recently posted on social media about weekly deliveries of cherimoyas, reminding customers that “they go quickly so grab them while you can”. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try this delicious and unique fruit.
