Custard Apple

The Custard Apple is a deciduous fruit tree that is native to the West Indies and was brought to Central America and southern Mexico. It grows regularly in the Bahamas and southern Florida.

The custard tree is upright with a curved or spreading trunk 10 to 14 inches thick. It can grow from 15 to 35 feet tall and is not considered an attractive tree. The leaves are a pale green and start out hairy but smooth out with maturity.

The fruit is odd shaped, with an indent at the base that can be either deep or shallow. The skin is yellow to brown when ripe. The fruit has many small, dark brown seeds embedded in the pulp.

The custard tree grows best in temperatures of 73 to 94 degrees F, in high humidity especially during flowering, and in moist soil. They are drought tolerant, but the trees grow smaller and shed leaves in dry climates.

When the fruit is ripe, it can be easily picked at the stem. The fleshy part can be removed from the skin and eaten in a variety of ways. They can be added to milk shakes, ice cream or custards and can be used in cakes and puddings.