The Anon (Annona squamosa) , also commonly called by the name of ates, kidney, anona, or saramuyo , is a fruit tree belonging to the genus Annona , of the Annonaceae family .
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What is Anon?
The Anón (Annona squamosa) is a sweet fruit that is very common in tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America where it is native. Most of the countries of Central America and the Caribbean Islands are producers of this tropical fruit of the genus Annona, but the most important are Peru, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
The fruits of the apple or kidney are globose-oviform, 8 to 12 centimeters in diameter, pale green or bluish in color . The fruit trees from which this sweet fruit, of the Annona genus , comes, measures between 3 and 6 meters in height, dark green in its upper part and bluish green in its lower part with soft wood that has different uses depending on the area.
The moment of pollination is when the flower has opened (it never does completely) and it is the moment when the tree can be seen more splendid thanks to its beautiful flower.
The pulp, which is the edible part , is white and yellowish in some cases, buttery, sweet and very nutritious, with a pleasant flavor, similar to soursop, but less strong, with abundant smooth, shiny black and oblong seeds. It is a good source of vitamin C, iron, and calories.
Cuban anon
It is one of the best known fruit trees in Cuba , common in shallow limestone soils; but only cultivated commercially on a small scale, for local consumption. The cultivation of custard apple plants is found on farms in rural areas of Cuba.
The sugar apple in Florida
The cultivation of these tropical fruits is also usually found in some areas of the southern United States, such as Florida where it is commonly known by the name of sugar-apple . It is a tropical fruit that can be seen more and more frequently in markets around the world due to its growing popularity.
The Anón (Annona squamosa) is widely consumed in the aforementioned areas of Latin America but in Spain it is difficult to find. It is very similar to the custard apple , which we do consume in Spain, with similar color and textures, but with carpels that are the scales that the fruit has on the outside.
With what other names is Saramuyo known?
In the East it begins to be consumed more frequently, in the case of the Philippines where it is known by the name of atis, in Thailand where it is known by the name of Noi-Na and in regions of the Middle East where it is known by the name of achta .
The cultivation of these fruits is somewhat more widespread in India, where the tree has escaped cultivation and is found in the wild in many parts and the fruit is very popular and abundant in the markets where we can see this fruit regularly.
How do you eat Anon?
The sugar apple (Annona squamosa) or custard apple is eaten when it is ripe. The white mass inside is broken up and eaten. Once in the mouth, the seeds are extracted, easy to differentiate, and discarded. It is eaten in the same way as custard apple , another fruit that is more familiar to us in Spain.
It is a sweet fruit, like the passion fruit and with a characteristic and pleasant flavor that usually appeals to all palates. For this reason, it continues to expand in countries around the world.
The kidney is cultivated for the nutritional value that is generally consumed fresh. Since its harvest is usually done by hand, in some rural areas its sale contributes to the family economy.
It is a very delicate food , like other types of fruits , so its export is complicated and it is consumed far from where it is produced, that is why the cultivation increases and we can see them in more areas around the planet.
In Malaysia , where it is widely consumed, in addition to eating this raw food, the interior part is extracted, the seeds are separated to add them to desserts, ice creams or even cold drinks or smoothies. In the Philippines they make a wine with this food.
What properties does Anón have?
The sugar apple (Annona squamosa) or anona is a source of Vitamin C and iron. All its nutrition resides in its pulp, sweetly aromatic and hebrous.
For some cultures, it also has healing properties.
Folk medicine
In folk medicine the green fruit, the seeds and the leaves are used as insecticides . The fermented liquid prepared from the pulp of the fruit is used in poultices to relieve bruises .
In India
In parts of India , its crushed and inhaled leaves are used to combat hysteria and fainting spells. They are also applied on ulcers and wounds.
For cases of dysentery , a drink is prepared with a preparation that consists of cooked leaves, a drink that is also used in rural areas of Tropical America to relieve rheumatic pain, colds, digestive well-being , among other benefits.
In the Caribbean
In Caribbean islands the decoction of its flower is used, which is traditionally used to combat rheumatism by bathing the forehead. The flower is somewhat difficult to obtain, since although they can appear in groups, they sometimes appear alone.
Decorative tree
Apart from being fruit trees, it is used as an ornamental tree that is planted in gardens and parks.
Therefore, the sugar apple , although it is an unknown fruit in our country, is of recognized value in many others due to being a fruit with numerous nutritional properties as we have seen and therefore, we recommend that you try it and tell us how it has been for you. similar.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.