SoursopFamily : Annonaceae

Scientist name : Annona muricataOther names : Corossol, Evo, aluguntugui, guanabana,

graviola, anona, adunu, brazilian pawpaw

Where does it come from?

• Evergreen tree native to Mexico, Cuba, South and Central America, the Caribbean. Soursop is also produced in Somalia.

• Today, it is also grown in some areas of Southeast Asia, as well as in some Pacific islands.

Soursop is adapted to areas of high humidity and relatively warm winters; temperatures below 5 °C will cause damage to leaves and small branches, and temperatures below 3 °C can be fatal. The fruit becomes dry and is no longer good for concentrateThe plant is grown as a commercial herb crop for its 20–30 cm long, prickly, green fruit.

What does it look like?

•Soursop can grow 30 cm long and weigh 2,5 kg. It has a dark green colour due to the bark pricked with thorns.•The flesh is white and plump of the fruit consists of an edible, white pulp, some fibre, and a core of indigestible, black seeds.

How to use it?

• The Soursop can be eaten raw when fully ripe.• The sweet pulp is also often used to make juice, as well as candies,

sorbets, and ice cream flavourings.

What are Soursop’s benefits?

• The fruit contains significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2.

• In vitro laboratory research suggests that soursop may have potential to treat some infections and be an effective anti-cancer agent.