The cherimoya, also spelled chirimoya is thought to be native to the low rising tropical forests of Central Andean Mountains in Ecuador, bordering Peru. Today cherimoya is grown throughout South Asia, South and Central America, and Southern California.

The fruit is oval, often slightly oblate, with a smooth or slightly tuberculated skin. Its flesh is white and creamy, and has numerous dark brown seeds embedded in it. Some characterize the flavor as a blend of banana, pineapple, papaya, peach, and strawberry. Others describe it as tasting like commercial bubblegum. When ripe, the skin is green and gives slightly to pressure, similar to the avocado.

Mark Twain called the cherimoya "the most delicious fruit known to men." Many people often chill the cherimoya and eat it with a spoon, which has earned it another nickname “the ice cream fruit”.

Cherimoyas contain an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals. Studies have shown that cherimoya has antioxidant and cytoprotective properties that may help cure cancer cells and enhance cell survival.

In its natural habitat, cherimoya season last from November until May. Usually, the fruit is handpicked by clipping on reaching maturity. In the markets, buy fresh, firm, medium-sized, uniform fruits featuring greenish-yellow color and full for their size. Ripe fruits just yield to gentle pressure. Avoid those with broken skin, surface blemishes and overly-ripen ones as they stay poorly.

Source: www.wikipedia.org, www.nutrition-and-you.com

Image by Hans B. (from nl) available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

The cherimoya, also spelled chirimoya is thought to be native to the low rising tropical forests of Central Andean Mountains in Ecuador, bordering Peru. Today cherimoya is grown throughout South Asia, South and Central America, and Southern California. The fruit is oval, often slightly oblate, with a smooth or slightly tuberculated skin. Its flesh is white and creamy, and has numerous dark brown seeds embedded in it. Some characterize the flavor as a blend of banana, pineapple, papaya, peach, and strawberry. Others describe it as tasting like commercial bubblegum. When ripe, the skin is green..