I came across cherimoyas on my last shopping trip. CHERIMOYAS. !!! . My favorite fruit on the planet. If you've ever tasted one, you'd be giddy with me right now. And if you've never tasted one, well you have to keep reading and get the cherimoya low-down because it's definitely something to add to your MUST-TRY in a lifetime list... (and hopefully many times over. And then hopefully make this fruit-sweetened cherimoya pistachio custard pudding with them!).
... And if you live in a country where these are readily available, I'm moving in I envy you. The chances of finding cherimoyas in a small town in a cold climate are like twelfth of never... And when you do find some, the experience is akin to meeting a unicorn... I do occasionally come across them when I visit a larger town... A real diamond in the rough in my corner of the world, but luckily they do make an occasional appearance and I always bring a bunch home. If they cost an arm and a leg, I'd give three of each... Because there's absolutely nothing tastier than a ripe cherimoya. Nothing.
I wanted to share this favorite cherimoya recipe here in the summer (that's when these photos are from), but things got busy, and I hesitated too because I know most people won't be able to run to the store and grab some to make this and I like my recipes to be as accessible as possible. So I held off. I later thought to include this custard in Unconventional Treats, but I held off as well -- same reason... So it's just been hanging out in a temp folder, sad and lonely...
...But as I've been enjoying it again these last few days, I suddenly changed my mind because you know what? Even if you can't find cherimoyas right now, I want you to at least know about them so you never ever pass them by unnoticed wondering what that odd fruit is..., and if you ever have a chance to grab one -- it's an absolute must.
And also I felt the need to share because it's one of those recipes & fruits I will never ever get enough of, so naturally it feels like it deserves a spot in the lime light. After all, we're after unconventional treats here, right? ;)
So Cherimoya 101 first:
What do they taste like?
Hm... like unicorn food? ;) They're very sweet yet somehow mellow, creamy, very fruity, candy-like even... and remind me most of that flavor in Jelly Belly beans you've never quite been able to put your finger on... A fusion of tropical flavors. Mark Twain said it's "the most delicious fruit known to man" and I 110% agree.
What to look for?
For starters, they look like this:
...this little fella is heart shaped -- how cute is that?! There are many other tropical fruits with a similar look (to an undiscerning foreigner at least..) and even similar names (the Europeans who "discovered" the Americas were really not all that creative with their names, were they...? o.O). This fruit goes by: cherimoya, chirimoya, or custard apple... or chirimuya in Quechua, the native language in the Andes, where they grow more abundantly.
How to know if it's ripe
The skin should brown up a little (as depicted here for example) and be a little soft to the touch (note: they brown up more when refrigerated). If they feel firm, they need more time. Too soft is better than too firm with these guys, though somewhere in between is just right (kind of like an avocado). Also keep an eye out on the "eye" of the fruit around the little stem to make sure there's no mold -- that's where you'll spot it.
Toxicity must-know
While cherimoyas are absolutely safe to eat, their skin and seeds are toxic, so be sure to only eat the flesh and discard the rest. I learned this the hard way... I'm really an experimental eater and tend to not read up on things but just experience them more intuitively... usually it's the best way for me to experience a new taste without any ideas tainting the experience, but this time it backfired. I knew straight away you don't eat the seeds -- those things are massive. Common sense told me to discard. But the peel I tasted and it was alright, so I proceeded to blend it into my food. BAD IDEA! Massive migraine later I knew something was up, so I went researching online. Yep, do not eat the skin!
How to eat cherimoyas
The easiest way is to slice the fruit in half, then use a spoon to scoop out the flesh and enjoy, just be sure to spit out the seeds as per above. When you eat it like that you suddenly understand why the fruit is called a custard apple. Well, truthfully, the "apple" part still confuses me -- seems like everything that grew on a tree was called that by those aforementioned explorers back in the day. But the custard part is spot on. And if you chill the fruit first, it becomes ice-cream like. Honestly, if you could have unlimited ripe cherimoyas and a spoon, that's the only dessert you'll need in life! (Good thing they're rare, so I can stay busy baking :) )
But you know what's even more amazing? It's this raw custard mixed in with pistachios. That's what you're here for after all, right?! :)
Honestly, I never thought I'd taste anything better than a good cherimoya, but after blending it in with a tiny bit of good almond milk, a dash of salt, and pistachios, I proved myself wrong. This custard is only the best little dessert in the world.
The only difficult part is de-seeding. Pain in the behind, which is why you don't see many recipes using cherimoyas -- so much easier to just eat it with a spoon and call it a day, only you have no idea how tasty the custard is... so don't curse me as you're doing it... ;) promise, it's worth the effort. Once you're done picking out the seeds, it's a breeze from there. I like to cut mine in half, then scoop out the flesh into a shallow bowl or on a plate, then pick out the seeds with a knife. Then I transfer all the remaining flesh and any juice that escaped in the process into a small blender (I use my magic bullet since it's a small job). That way you lose the least of the fruit in the process.
Note: make sure the almond milk (or cashew milk) you're using tastes good here. Because it's such a minimal list of ingredients, if you use a milk you don't enjoy drinking on its own, you'll end up tainting the custard too. So everything you put in must be tasty first and foremost.
Lastly, a note on texture and freezing times: you'll need to chill this, but the chilling time can vary. Stick it in the freezer for an hour, and you'll have a nice custard / soft-serve ice cream. The timing is key to the right texture -- if you catch it in the right moment it actually transforms into the best ice cream ever. Freeze it too long and you'll have a popsicle though -- not recommended. Sometimes I make this ahead of time and freeze overnight, which means "too long" for a good texture, which means I thaw it out a little before tucking in. Play around with the chill time until you find the texture you like best. So long as it's chilled it'll taste amazing at every stage.
Raw Cherimoya Custard Pudding
A raw vegan custard recipe featuring the tropical cherimoya accented with hint of pistachio.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Pudding
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
- flesh of 1 ripe cherimoya (discard skin and seeds)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- dash of salt (I like mine at about ⅛ tsp, though I don't typically measure)
- 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients, except pistachios, into a smooth texture (only takes a few seconds).
- Transfer into a glass jar, and cover.
- Chill in the freezer for about an hour, stir in pistachios, and enjoy!
marion says
plant the seeds if you get a fruit from your grocery store. they grow easily but the trees can't take cold winters so you'll have to bring them inside or build a cover or temporary greenhouse
around it. In Canada you could probably plant them outside on SaltSpring Island in BC.
They don't need very hot summers to produce fruit.
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Audrey says
Hi Marion. Thanks for the tip. If I could, I most certainly would do that. Custard apples would make a lovely addition to my small permaculture orchard. That would be a dream :). But alas, definitely too cold in the part of Canada I'm in (plant hardiness zone 4, with winters down to -35-40C sometimes) and they most certainly won't survive the winter out here. Thankfully I can find them in the shops on occasion. At least there's that :)
Jill Stassinos says
This year we have an abundance of Cherimoyas on our tree. I find that I am having to leave jars of this custard pudding in the freezer for weeks at a time. How long can I leave this Cherimoya pudding in the freezer before it goes bad?
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Audrey says
Hi Jill. So long as it's covered and protected from freezer bite, they should last months frozen.
P.S. lucky you!! :)
VLo says
I live in Inland Empire socal, I planted a cherimoya tree about 5 years ago. This spring I hand pollenated and got about 20 fruits. Finally became ripe enough to eat, fell off the tree early November!
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Audrey says
That's so awesome. Lucky you! :) Enjoy them!
Jayaraj MS says
Nice article. Great information and good knowledge. Thank you so much.
Audrey says
Thanks, Jayaraj.
Tova says
I'm blessed to live in Australia and I have 5 in the fridge and 3 ripening in the fruit bowl right now - it's custard apple season here and I'm making the most of it for sure! These are Nature's most perfect desserts - sweet, creamy and perfumed. But I have just got to try this recipe - pistachios are another fave and the lemon juice...yum!
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Audrey says
I know exactly what you mean, Tova. I love the fruit very much as it is. With pistachios it's lovely too :) Enjoy it!
gina santangelo says
This looks so delicious! When are cherimoya generally in season?
Audrey says
Thanks so much, Gina. The season depends on when they are grown (they grow mostly in South America, Asia, Australia, and in the US in California -- warm climate). There's often a surge of them on the market in North America between March and May. The ones imported from California are typically available from the end of the year until the spring.
Valerie says
I have just tried my first cherimoya and they are every bit as good as you described! I didn't get round to making your pudding as I ate my one and only fruit in one go as it was so delicious. Maybe if I every find one again (never seen them before) I will resist and make your pudding recipe as I know it will be devine.
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Audrey says
That's great to hear, Valerie. Sounds like you enjoyed them as much as I do :)
Michelle says
I live in the extreme southern desert of California near Mexico and we have an abundance of cherimoya when they're in season. Everything you said is totally true; they are sublime.
I usually just eat them plain and raw when I get them because they're so awesome they don't need anything else. At least, I didn't think they did until I read your post and realized that as a custard they might be even more awesome. I'm totally making this the second I see them in my farmer's market.
Audrey says
How lucky, you are, to have an abundance of them Michelle! :) Enjoy your market haul.
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
I've never tried a cherimoya before and I'm so curious to know what they taste like. I'm going to keep my eye open for them!
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Audrey says
Awesome! I hope you find some :)
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
I have never had cherimoyas! I must get my hands on one now. I have no idea how this custard would taste but it looks amazing and I bet it's delicious- if only because of how lovingly you spoke of cherimoya! <3
Audrey says
It tastes like you gotta try it, Genevieve :D And you can often find cherimoyas at the Loblaws at Bayview Village. That's my must stop if I ever visit TO -- so many fun things to try in their produce section. They also have them at Pusateri's for more $$ (same mall).
Shirley @ gluten free easily (gfe) says
Fascinating! This fruit is completely new to me! I'd have to say that by looks alone, it looks very unicornish. The skin has a feathery appearance and I could see unicorns eating them. I bet they could eat them and spit out the toxic parts as they went. Mr. GFE tells me that his grandfather's cows would eat the grass in the field, spitting out the toxic buttercups as they went. Anyway, this custard looks incredible. And now I'm thinking of another exotic fruit, marula, and the liqueur made from it. I could certainly go for a glass of creamy Amarula this evening. After all, it is Friday, but, sadly, there's none in my liquor cabinet. ;-)
Thanks, Audrey!
Shirley
Audrey says
Marula?! ? I never heard of it until now. Just had to go google. Most interesting. Will have to look for it now, and if I ever try some I'll let you know. Love finding new fruits to try. And interesting about the buttercups! I remember learning in permaculture how animals in general know to avoid the grass that's bad for them -- so chickens, cows, and so on will not eat toxic herbs while grazing... but if you don't give them enough space and don't breed them properly then they begin to eat the toxic stuff too due to a lack of selection and end up unhealthy as a result.
Nadia's Healthy Kitchen says
What is this?!?!?! I've never heard of Cherimoyas and definitely can't say I've ever seen one, but I know I would absolutely love them by the way you're describing them!! Where can I find one?! I need one now!! Ahhhh!
Audrey says
Hehe. Well, I find mine in a regular grocery store that has a major ethnic foods section... But I've also seen them in gourmet shops at times. They are common in South America, India, Spain, Australia, etc... warmer climates. In the US apparently they grow in California and can even be shipped to you. I hope you get to try it some time! ♥
Bianca @ ElephantasticVegan says
I've never seen or heard of cherimoyas but now you've got me totally intrigued! I'll keep my eyes open for these ones and the heart-shaped one is the cutest ever!! I hope I can find them soon because this custard looks amazing!
Audrey says
Hehe. Thanks Bianca! I hope you manage to find some somewhere! I know they're not the easiest in Europe, but they do exist. Apparently they are abundant in Spain... So look out for it :)
Karuna says
Oh I wish I could send you a whole truckload or even two right now, these trees grow effortlessly in my city (bangalore) and every season they produce loads and loads of fruit.
This means you should visit India soooon, if the mountain won't come to Mohammad....
Sofia Clara says
I have never heard of Cherimoyas before and I'm big on fruit! You've got me dying to try one and this custard looks divine! I expect the likeliness of finding one over here is Switzerland is next to none, too. :( At least I now to keep my eyes open just in case.
I hope you've had a great start to the year, Audrey. xS
http://www.sofiaclara.com/
Audrey says
Hi Sofia -- you'll come across it one day. I just know it! :) And when you do, you'll recognize it now at least ;)
I'm huge on fruit too, and this one is definitely a must-try. Happy New Year!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
I need to find cherimoyas. I want to meet and eat this unicorn food you speak of! How the heck do you have them up there but I've never laid eyes on them down here? Unicorns must like Canada better :) I never knew they were the same thing as custard apples though. I am big time drooling over this custard Audrey, I would LOVE to try it! Cherimoyas kinda look like they were made to be custard, just the perfect color and texture. And I love all your descriptions of the taste :D I think I need to find out where they grow and just move there and plant like 100 trees in my backyard. Yeah that's a good plan.
Audrey says
Well, I don't know who the exotic fruit people at Frieda's are who sent Rebecca some, but perhaps she can hook you up... :)
It is strange that we have them here and you don't down there, since you're so much closer to where they grow naturally... I find them at either gourmet shops or ethnic grocers. Maybe try a hispanic grocer since it's commonly grown in some South American countries?
About finding out where they grow... I found out our IG friend Hiba has a fruit tree in her parents' backyard -- I already told her I'm moving in. Maybe you can be my roommate ;)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I'm proud to say I HAVE had one! (Sent to me by the loving exotic fruit people at Frieda's). But I wasn't much of a fan of the soft texture and perfumyness. Regardless though, still a fun exotic fruit!
Audrey says
Hm.. I wonder if it was too ripe?! But then again, it is custardy... But if you blend it into a custard pudding the texture won't bother you + pistachios... so good! There are some fruits I'm like that with (not cherimoya, but things like guava, papaya, etc.) -- can only eat when deconstructed :)