custard apple

noun

1. any of several trees of the genus Annona, as the cherimoya.
2. any of several other trees, as the pawpaw, Asimina triloba, bearing fruit with soft, edible pulp.
3. the fruit of any of these trees.

custard apple

noun

1. a West Indian tree, Annona reticulata: family Annonaceae
2. the large heart-shaped fruit of this tree, which has a fleshy edible pulp
3. any of several related trees or fruits, esp the papaw and sweetsop

Word History and Origins

Origin of custard apple¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

She won for work including public sculptures in London’s Hackney area in the shape of tropical fruits – custard apple, breadfruit and soursop — that honor the contribution to Britain of post-World War II immigrants from the Caribbean.

From Seattle Times

As well as the custard apple, breadfruit and soursop sculptures that were unveiled in Hackney in October 2021, she won for an exhibition in Bristol last year that featured cocoa pods, avocado stones and orange peel.

From BBC

In addition to the Whitney Biennial, last year she unveiled a major sculptural commission in London of a soursop, a breadfruit and a custard apple — three fruits meant to represent the childhood salves of Caribbean immigrants to Britain.

From New York Times

"It is commonly referred to as the 'custard apple' because of all the sweetness. Try a cherimoya and you'll understand why Mark Twain called the fruit 'the most delicious known to man.'"

From Salon

Sandwiched between the tourist-magnet Costa del Sol and the Sierra Nevada range in southern Spain, the ravines where Montes’ custard apple and avocado orchards sit should have plenty of water.

From Seattle Times