FANS of custard apples can savour their favourite fruit even more with growers reporting sweeter than usual fruit this season.
The Australian custard apple season kicked off in April with plenty of the creamy and vitamin-rich fruit now available in stores.
Australian custard apple grower, Patti Stacey, said growers are experiencing a great season with this year’s fruit boasting an extra sweet flavour.
“The season so far has been excellent across all growing regions. The warm summer has given us a bumper crop and we’ve been lucky to have no major storms, floods or winds come through,” Ms Stacey said.
“When the fruit matures in warmer weather it makes it even sweeter, so this season’s fruit has a deliciously sweet flavour and is filling out well.”
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The green-skinned fruit has a fresh and creamy texture that is well suited to sweet dishes or simply enjoyed as a snack, making them a tasty tropical choice throughout autumn and winter.
“During the season I eat one every day for breakfast. It’s a delicious start to the day and because it’s low GI it satisfies my appetite for quite a long time,” Ms Stacey said.
Custard apples contain Vitamin C, with one serve containing 64.5mg, or 161 per cent of the daily target for Australian adults.
The industry association, Custard Apples Australia, has provided fruit selection advice and even eating tips to help promote the product.
Tips to enjoy custard apples include:
- Simply cut or tear the fruit apart and scoop out the flesh to enjoy it fresh.
- Enjoy custard apple, shredded coconut and nuts on top of breakfast cereal for a sweet morning treat.
- Add caramelised custard apples into your salads for a sweet and warming flavour.
- Mix fresh custard apple and pears into a baked crumble for a delicious dessert that the whole family will love.
- For a more decadent treat try a homemade chocolate and custard apple sorbet.
- Serve custard apple chutney with your favourite grilled meats. It pairs perfectly with pork.
The group is also providing recipes or more information on its Facebook page.
