Custard apple is a nutrient-rich fruit, but it can also be harmful to health if the following mistakes are made.
Things to Know When Eating Custard Apple
During the peak season, custard apples are not only delicious but also nutritious and affordable. Those who enjoy this sweet and refreshing fruit can indulge freely. However, ripe custard apples can also serve as a breeding ground for insects to lay eggs, which hatch into maggots. If one is not careful, it is easy to consume maggots while eating custard apples.
Be careful not to choose custard apples with white scales, dark eyes, or signs of leakage. (Illustrative image).
In fact, maggots are the larvae of various insect species. They lay eggs in ripe fruits through a tiny hole that is often hard to see with the naked eye. The eggs then burrow into the fruit flesh, hatching into larvae (known as maggots). As they grow, maggots feed more voraciously, coupled with bacterial and fungal infections, causing the rotten parts of the ripe fruit to spread.
If one accidentally swallows a maggot while eating, it will not directly harm the body, but many people feel disgusted at the thought of consuming this insect.
Therefore, custard apples with many white scales, cracks, or signs of leakage should absolutely not be eaten. Especially custard apples with dark, firm eyes should be approached with caution, as they are often unripe, spoiled, or mostly contain maggots.
Things to Avoid When Eating Custard Apple
Illustrative image.
Do Not Eat Too Much
Custard apples are nutrient-dense and loved by many, which leads to the misconception that they are completely harmless. In reality, custard apples are a warm fruit; eating too much can cause constipation and acne. Therefore, it is advisable to eat only 1-2 fruits per day.
Do Not Bite the Seeds
The seeds of custard apples can be used for medicinal purposes, but they contain toxins in the flesh. Biting the seeds can easily release these toxins, posing a risk to health. Thus, care should be taken when consuming custard apples.
Do Not Eat When Unripe
Unripe custard apples contain relatively high levels of tannins. Tannins can cause digestive disorders, indigestion, increase the risk of constipation, and accumulate harmful toxins in the body.
Who Should Not Eat Custard Apple
For people with diabetes, especially pregnant women with a history of diabetes, it is advisable to limit custard apple consumption due to its relatively high sugar content.
People prone to acne: Those who have a tendency to develop acne should also limit their intake of custard apples. The high sugar content in custard apples can increase blood sugar levels, creating conditions for bacteria to thrive (especially Staphylococcus, which causes acne). If they still wish to eat this fruit, they should limit the quantity, drink plenty of water, and consume more green vegetables.
People who are obese or overweight: The flesh of custard apples contains a very high sugar content. Therefore, it is not recommended for individuals who are overweight or obese. Eating one custard apple weighing around 250-300 grams is equivalent to one bowl of rice. Consuming too many of these fruits can lead to weight gain.
Thus, if you are obese or looking to lose weight, it is advisable to avoid custard apples at this time.
You should only eat custard apples when they are fully ripe.
Some Harmful Effects of Custard Apple to Note
- Custard apples contain certain toxins that can damage the nervous system if consumed in large quantities.
- Annonacin, a type of toxin that affects the brain and nerves, is also present in custard apples. This substance increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease. The parts with high annonacin content are the seeds and peel of the custard apple.
- Unripe or partially ripe custard apples contain more annonacin. Therefore, one should only eat custard apples when they are fully ripe and carefully remove the skin and seeds.
How to Choose Delicious, Naturally Ripe, and Chemical-Free Custard Apples
Based on the Shape of the Custard Apple
There are typically two types of custard apples: firm and soft. Some people prefer firm custard apples while others like the soft variety. In the past, soft custard apples were less favored due to their bland taste and difficulty in removing the seeds, making them cheaper and harder to store. However, now soft custard apples are increasingly popular among consumers. In fact, there are many places that produce beautiful large soft custard apples with much better flavor than before, leading to higher prices.
Before selecting a delicious custard apple, if you do not know how to distinguish between firm and soft varieties, here are a few tips.
Soft custard apples usually have a thin green skin, large protruding eyes, white grooves, and small stems. When ripe, soft custard apples typically do not crack. Additionally, the skin of soft custard apples is thicker and bumpier. Ripe soft custard apples are soft and easily fall apart, making them less convenient for transportation. Soft custard apples grown in poor soil tend to have a bland flavor and may feel “gritty” in the mouth, a phenomenon known as sandiness.
Firm custard apples have a pale green skin, smoother and thinner skin. The eyes are usually larger. Even if the fruit has cracks, it remains attached to the stem. These fruits are often tree-ripened, providing a sweeter flavor. Firm custard apples usually have fewer seeds and more flesh compared to soft varieties, and their flesh is free of sandiness and easy to peel. In contrast, soft custard apples tend to be mushy, and their seeds are harder to remove.
Firm custard apples have thick flesh and easy-to-remove seeds, making them popular.
When purchasing custard apples, choose those that are round, with white grooves, beautiful green skin, small stems, and are not cracked or overly soft. Custard apples that have been treated with chemicals often have uneven colors, and their skin is hard to peel.
In summary, if you prefer custard apples with more flesh, easy-to-remove seeds, and less sandiness, opt for the firm variety.
Based on the Eyes of the Custard Apple
In general, custard apples with large eyes that are not dark or cracked should be purchased. Custard apples that are cracked not due to ripening but due to poor handling and storage, showing signs of leakage, will spoil quickly, and their flavor will be compromised.
Moreover, if you purchase custard apples that are soft, have many blemishes on the outside, and emit a strong sour smell, they are likely unripe custard apples that have been artificially ripened using harmful chemicals.
Based on the Aroma of the Fruit
When selecting custard apples, you should also pay attention to their aroma. When custard apples are still green, their scent is pungent and strong, so these should be avoided. Naturally ripe custard apples that are not yet fully ripe will emit a faint aroma, without being overpowering or having a sour smell. You should choose these fruits for consumption.
