How to Eat Sugar Apple: Delicious Fresh After Ripening or in Smoothies

Sugar apple, also known as custard apple, gets its name from its bumpy, protruding skin that resembles a Buddha's head, and it is a fairly iconic fruit of tropical regions. Its flesh is milky white, soft and delicate in texture, with high sweetness and a strong aroma, making it much loved by many people.

Judging ripeness is the key to eating a sugar apple. A ripe fruit feels slightly soft and springy when squeezed, its skin is more yellow-green, and it gives off a faint fruity fragrance. If the fruit you bought is still fairly hard, you can wrap it in newspaper and leave it in a warm, ventilated place to ripen, or put it in the same bag as apples and bananas and use the ethylene these fruits release to speed up ripening; it usually softens after two or three days. Note that an unripe sugar apple should not be put in the refrigerator, as low temperatures will prevent it from continuing to ripen.

As for how to eat it, the simplest way is to wait until the fruit is fully ripe, pull open the skin, and scoop out the flesh directly with a spoon; you can also peel it, remove the seeds, and cut it into small pieces to enjoy slowly. In addition, the flesh can be blended with milk or yogurt into a milkshake, or mixed into salads or paired with desserts, and the flavor is just as excellent.

There are also a few details to keep in mind when eating it. The black seeds inside the sugar apple are hard in texture and must not be swallowed; you should spit them out while eating. It is also high in sugar, so people who need to control their blood sugar are advised to eat it in moderation and not too much at one time.