Annone (also called anona, annona and in English cherimoya) is a fruit plant belonging to the Annonaceae family native to Central and South America and cultivated since the time of the Incas. Today its cultivation has been adapted to a wide variety of climates, from the hot-humid tropical to the temperate ones.
In the Mediterranean basin countries the species “ Annona Cherimola ” is cultivated, mainly in Spain but also in Southern Italy, particularly along the Ionian coast in the province of Reggio Calabria , where it is found in many citrus groves.

The Annone plant

The annona plant is medium-sized with a shrubby habit, although it can grow up to nine meters in height. The foliage is very thick, with ovate or elliptical leaves 5-25 centimeters long and up to 10 centimeters wide. The flowers, light green in color, can be solitary or grouped in groups of 2-3. Flowering in the Mediterranean basin occurs in May and pollination is entemophilous. It then proceeds in a staggered manner until the end of summer.
The most widespread and renowned Annona cultivar is the “Fino de Jete”, but there are also local varieties propagated by seed. It can be grown in areas where temperatures do not fall below 0°C (the same areas where lemons are grown) and adapts to a good variety of soils, as long as they are sufficiently draining.

The fruit of Annone

The Annona fruit has a conical or heart shape, an average weight of about 200 grams, but some fruits can weigh up to 1 kg. The skin is green, with homogeneous and depressed areoles. When the fruit is ready for harvest, in the autumn period in the Mediterranean basin, the color changes from dark green to lighter green. The ripening of the annona fruit occurs in 3-5 days after harvesting, it is important that it is consumed immediately as it is subject to rapid deterioration, then assuming a brown color.
The pulp of the annone is white and buttery, very soft and with many seeds. The flavor is very sweet and a great variety of aromas can be recognized, mainly exotic: banana, pineapple, strawberry and a hint of caramel. As for the properties of the annone , it is rich in vitamin C and is an excellent source of vitamin B6 and fiber.
The peculiarity of the fruit is that it can be consumed as if it were a dessert, dividing it in two and eating the pulp with a teaspoon.
It can also be used to make jams, ice creams and sorbets.
The Annona fruit is found in a few specialized shops, usually coming from Spain and with very high prices (around 4/5 euros per fruit).

If you are passionate about tropical fruit, discover also our production of organic Hass avocados with home delivery throughout Italy.