Varieties
Cherimoya (A.cherimola), the most delicious and highly regarded fruit from the genus Annona (family Annonaceae), contains more than 50 species of trees and shrubs which are native to South America.
Choosing varieties
When choosing cherimoya varieties, ideally look for the following qualities:
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A moderately vigorous tree that regularly bears fruit of good size (500–700g) and symmetry, with good disease resistance.
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Impressa type fruit (has a smooth or slightly indented skin surface) with a moderately thick skin that doesn’t blacken, crack or bruise easily and ideally shows some change in colour at maturity. These qualities are only really important if growing in a commercial situation.
A case of bad skin cracking
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Juicy, sweet, good-flavoured flesh with no grittiness, astringency or browning near the skin and a fairly low seed count, preferably less than 15 seeds per 100gm of flesh.
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Good handling, keeping and storage qualities on and off the tree.
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Suitable harvest season (early, mid or late). In New Zealand varieties harvested from May to June are considered early, those from July to mid–August are mid–season, and those from late August to November are late maturing.
A case of bad skin cracking