A Tropical Fruit - Annona

Annona (Aaththa/Anoda-In sri lankan sinhalese terms) often identified as a tropical fruit which can be found in South and North America, including the Amazon ,South East and South Asia.
Annonna is from Annonaceae and has approx 110 specifies, I tasted 4 varieties of them which I found interesting..

1. Prickly Custard Apple (Katu Anoda in Sinhala)
Other Names:Graviola,Brazilian pawpaw, soursop
Scientific Name: Annona muricata


Graviola believed to have cencer healing power. Most of the research on graviola focuses on a novel set of chemicals called Annonaceous acetogenins. Graviola produces these natural compounds in its leaf and stem, bark, and fruit seeds. Three separate research groups have confirmed that these chemicals have significant antitumorous properties and selective toxicity against various types of cancer cells (without harming healthy cells) [1]
[1]:Plant Chemicals http://www.rain-tree.com/graviola.htm

2. Custard Apple(Vali Anoda in Sinhala)
Other Names: Cherimoya
Scientifc Name: Annona cherimola



Seeds are toxic and when crushed can be used as an insecticide.
Native Range: Native to the Andean valleys of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Commercially grown in Australia, South America, Asia, Spain, Italy, and California.

3. Sugar Apple(I'm not sure the sinhala name, I call it Anoda)

Scientific Name: Annona squamosa
My personal favourite!!!





4. Annona cherimola x squamosa (I'm not sure the sinhala name, Lets call it Anoda)
Other Names: Atemoya

Cross between two tropical fruits – the sweetsop (Annona squamosa) and the cherimoya (Annona cherimola) One of the best Annona's, often having a fruitier flavor than the cherimoya.
Fruits tend to be about the size of a sugar apple, often have knobby, green skin, and a custard-like flesh. Fruits may turn slightly yellow when ripe. Atemoya's are high in vitamin C.