The Big Coconut: Custard Apple

Also called bullock's heart or bull's heart, is the fruit of the tree Annona reticulata. This tree is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree sometimes reaching 10 metres (33 ft) tall and a native of the tropical New World that prefers low elevations, and a warm, humid climate. It also occurs as feral populations in many parts of the world including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India, Australia, and Africa. 
In Cambodia, it's called "Teap" which is most planted in the rural area for family yield and business.
The fruits are variable in shape, oblong, or irregular. The size ranges from 7 centimetres (2.8 in) to 12 centimetres (4.7 in). When ripe, the fruit is brown or yellowish, with red highlights and a varying degree of reticulation, depending on variety. The flavor is sweet and pleasant.

Health Benefits of Custard Apple:
  • packed with Vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free-radicals in the body.
  • has vitamin A that's good for the skin, hair and eyes.
  • contains magnesium that protects the heart from cardiac diseases. It relaxes the muscles.
  • rich in vitamin B6 and potassium.
  • rich in copper and dietary fibers that keeps digestive tract healthy.
  • has low fat levels that's good for the health.
  • believed that a paste is made with the creamy flesh of the fruit can be used as a balm to cure boils, abscesses, and ulcers.
  • can be sun-dried and then ground into powder to treat diarrhea and dysentery.
  • barks and stems of the tree can be used as herbal medicines.

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