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Tips for choosing naturally ripe custard apples

TB (according to VTC) September 3, 2024 07:01

Tips for choosing naturally ripened custard apples based on the following identifying signs will help you buy custard apples with a rich, sweet, aromatic flavor and are safe.

Nếu na chín tự nhiên, vỏ sẽ dần nứt ra, các mắt na mở, có thể thấy rõ phần thịt trắng bên trong. (Ảnh: Green Cloud Solutions)
If the custard apple ripens naturally, the skin will gradually crack, the eyes will open, and the white flesh inside will be clearly visible.

The custard apple tree has the scientific name Annona reticulata, belonging to the custard apple family. This fruit is rich in vitamin C, a 120g serving of custard apple flesh (1/2 medium fruit) is enough to meet 38% of vitamin C, 22% of magnesium needs, 15% of B6 needs and 6% of iron needs each day.

Tips for choosing naturally ripe custard apples

Choosing tree-ripened custard apples that have not been chemically treated is always a challenge for many people. The tips below will help you easily choose naturally ripe custard apples that are both delicious and safe for your health.

Look at the surface

One of the first signs that helps you recognize a naturally ripened custard apple is its appearance. When the custard apple ripens naturally, the skin will gradually crack, the eyes will open wide, and you can see the white flesh inside. This is a clear sign that the custard apple has reached the perfect ripeness, sweet and fragrant.

Tree-ripened custard apples are usually light green or slightly yellowish green. Dark green custard apples are usually unripe, or have been chemically ripened. Some ripe custard apples have small black spots on the skin, which does not affect the quality of the inside but is a sign that the custard apple is naturally ripe.

Tree-ripened custard apples have soft skin. You can press lightly on the fruit with your hand. If it feels soft and elastic without being mushy, it is naturally ripe. On the contrary, if the custard apple is too hard, it may be unripe or chemically pickled.

Observe the stem

The stem of custard apple is also an important factor in identifying naturally ripened custard apples. Tree-ripened custard apples usually have fresh, green stems that are not wilted or dried. A wilted or dried stem may be a sign that the custard apple was picked before it was ripe and then chemically pickled.

Some chemically ripened custard apples have crushed stems or turn brown due to damage during transportation and storage. Be sure to choose fruits with intact, uncrushed stems to ensure that the custard apples ripen naturally.

Smell the scent

The scent is an important factor when choosing tree-ripened custard apples. Naturally ripened custard apples have a characteristic, pleasant aroma that is not too strong. You can smell the stem or skin of the custard apple directly to check. If the custard apple has a very strong, pungent or strange scent, it is likely that it has been overripe or is no longer fresh.

Feel the weight

Feeling the weight of the custard apple also helps you recognize naturally ripened custard apples. When holding the custard apple in your hand, if you feel that it is heavier than its size, it is usually a tree-ripened fruit, containing a lot of flesh and water. A lighter custard apple is usually not fully ripe or the flesh inside is still dry and has little water.

If the custard apple is evenly soft, has moderate firmness, not too hard or too soft, it is naturally ripe. Avoid choosing fruit that is too soft or mushy because it could be a sign of overripeness or spoilage.

Check the custard apple seeds

Na chín tự nhiên có hạt màu đen, bóng và dễ tách ra khỏi thịt. (Ảnh: Neelus World)
Naturally ripened custard apples have black, shiny seeds that are easily separated from the flesh.

Another tip to identify naturally ripened custard apples is to check the seeds. Tree-ripened custard apples have black, shiny seeds that are easy to separate from the flesh. If the seeds are pale, gray, or not evenly black, the custard apples are ripened by vinegar.

When you try it, if you find the custard apple flesh soft, sweet and not sour, then it is naturally ripened. Vinegared custard apples usually have firmer flesh and are not as sweet as tree-ripened custard apples.

Buy at reputable place

Finally, to ensure you buy naturally ripened custard apples, you should buy them from reputable stores, supermarkets or sellers. If possible, buy custard apples at markets where farmers sell their products directly.

Custard apples usually ripen in the fall, from August to October. Buy them during this time to ensure natural ripening and best flavor.

TB (according to VTC)
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Tips for choosing naturally ripe custard apples