Buy what fruitsWhat's in season at Singapore fruit stalls, and which country to look for.

Custard apple

番荔枝 · 释迦 · buah nona

Custard apple in October (this month)

No fresh crop this month

Best option: Taiwan, Thailand, Spain, from storage or late season.

TaiwanThailandAustraliaSpain
Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping
Stored or late season (3)
TW
TaiwanTaitung
Stored
Sugar apple, pineapple custard apple (atemoya)
About 2 months since harvest
A summer crop Jul–Sep and a winter crop Nov–Feb. Taitung is famous for it.
TH
ThailandNakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi
Stored
Sugar apple (noi na)
About 3 months since harvest
Jun–Oct, mostly sold in markets.
ES
SpainGranada (Costa Tropical)
Stored
Cherimoya (Fino de Jete)
Early season, limited supply
Oct–Feb. Cherimoya is a close cousin, smooth-skinned and creamy.
Skip this month (1)
AU
AustraliaQueensland
Off season
African Pride, Pinks Mammoth, KJ
Not shipping now
Mar–Aug. Australian custard apples are the large, smooth atemoya type.

How to pick at the shelf

  • ColourPale green, with the gaps between segments turning creamy-yellow when ripe.
  • FeelGives gently like a ripe avocado. Ripen firm ones at home.
  • AvoidSplit fruit, mould between the segments or a sour smell.

At home

KeepCounter, then fridge
LastsRipen 2–4 days, then 1–2 days

Ripen at room temperature until it gives slightly. Chill only once ripe, because cold stops ripening and blackens the skin.

Buying tips (3)
  • Custard apple covers several related fruits: knobbly sugar apple (Asia), larger atemoya (Australia, Taiwan) and cherimoya (Spain).
  • They ripen after picking and bruise easily, so buy firm and ripen at home.
  • Eat with a spoon and spit out the black seeds, which shouldn't be eaten.

Common questions

When is custard apple season in Singapore?
Taiwan: Aug–Sep, Nov–Feb; Thailand: Jul–Sep; Australia: Apr–Jul; Spain: Nov–Jan. Fresh-crop months by origin.
Which country's custard apple is best in October?
Only stored fruit is available: Taiwan, Thailand, Spain.
How do I pick a ripe custard apple?
Colour: Pale green, with the gaps between segments turning creamy-yellow when ripe. Feel: Gives gently like a ripe avocado. Ripen firm ones at home. Avoid: Split fruit, mould between the segments or a sour smell.
How should I store custard apple?
Counter, then fridge. Lasts Ripen 2–4 days, then 1–2 days. Ripen at room temperature until it gives slightly. Chill only once ripe, because cold stops ripening and blackens the skin.

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