Annona muricata
Syn. Annona macrocaropa, Annona bondlandiana

Names: Soursop tree, Kowosòl, kòsòl, kwasol, couassol, soursop, guanábana, guanabano, guanaba, catoche, catuche, guanábano, sapadille, graviola, muko-nokono miba, prickly custard apple, alacalyoua, annone muriquée, soursop bristly, prickly cachiman, …

​

FAMILY

ANNONACEAE

ETYMOLOGY

Corossol comes from the Amerindian and would be the deformation of Curaçao, island of the Lesser Antilles from which it spread in the Caribbean arc.
Annona would come from the Taïno "annon" and designates these trees.
Muricata means "spiky spike" in Latin, like the fruit.

ORIGIN

Northern South America (introduced to Guadeloupe by Native Americans).
 

HABITAT

Cultivated (0-500m) and naturalized.

DESCRIPTION

Small fruit tree 3 to 8m high and with a globular habit. 
Its leathery , spicy-smelling leaves are elongated, alternate and of a beautiful shiny dark green. 
Its flower has 3 fleshy yellow-greenish triangular sepals which give it the appearance of a bell. They appear on the twigs or directly on the trunk. 
The pollen is released when the first circle of petals (the largest) open, but the stigmas are fertilizable later, when the second circle of petals (the smallest) deviate, which imposes cross-pollination between 2 flowers at different stages. Pollination is generally done by small beetles attracted by the scent, but it is often incomplete (misshapen fruit). It is therefore interesting to carry out manual pollination with a brush. 
Its fruit, in the shape of an elongated heart, is bristling with soft thorns. It can weigh up to three kilos! Dark green in color, its skin turns yellow-green when ripe. Its white, soft, edible flesh is sprinkled with black seeds.

NEEDS

The soursop appreciates hot and humid climates . 
Watering: copious. 
The soursop grows in any type of soil but prefers sandy or stony soils. 
Exposure: full sun.
Hardiness: In winter, the temperature must not drop below 10°C if you want to have fruit. 
Flowering: almost all year round. 
Fruiting: 3-4 years after planting, then almost all year round, especially at the end of the dry season.
Altitude: 0-500m.

MULTIPLICATION

Sowing, grafting, cuttings 
- In the spring, it is possible to make seedlings after scarifying them and soaking them overnight in lukewarm water.
- Sow in potting soil 2cm deep and moisten regularly. The germination temperature is between 25°C to 30°C (in winter this temperature is easily reached near a heat source) replant in a large pot with rich soil when the small plants measure 6 to 10 cm.
- In June you will be able to make herbaceous cuttings stewed (all year round with an appropriate system).
Shield grafting makes it possible to select varieties.

CULTURE AND MAINTENANCE

Prune the branches that cross each other. Maintenance pruning is carried out before the rainy season, notably by removing dead branches and suckers. Training pruning is rarely necessary. 
Water well the first year after planting, rapid growth. Do not forget to mulch at the foot. 
Sooty mold develops on the leaves when there is too much moisture. 
Enemies: red spiders, mealybugs and moths.

​

USES
 

MEDICINAL USE

Recommendations :

Do not use seeds and bark internally. The plant should be avoided internally in Parkinson's patients and should not be used for prolonged periods.

ORNAMENTAL USE

Very beautiful ornamental fruit tree.

FOOD USE

Sorbet, fruit juice, mousse, fruit salad, smoothie, chutney, jam, jelly, pastry, salad dressing, milk shake and raw. Its taste is between mango and lychee.

​

OTHER USES

The seeds are used in crafts and have insecticidal properties.

ANECDOTES

The infusion of the leaves is used as a sleeping pill.
In Guadeloupe, the leaves were used to bathe children at the end of the afternoon for their sedative effect. The seeds were used crushed against lice.

COMPOSITION

For 100g of Pulp

Water (g) - 83.1
Calories (Kcal) - 60
Proteins (g) - 1
Carbohydrates (g) - 0.4
Lipids (g) - 14.9
Fiber (g) - 1.1
Calcium (mg) - 24
Iron (mg) - 0.5
vitamins
A - retinol (mcg) - trace
B1 (mg) - 0.07
B2 (mg) - 0.05
B3 or PP (mg) - 1.3
C (mg) - 26

Moderately caloric, rich in minerals (Potassium, Iron, Phosphorus, etc.), low glycemic index, source of fiber and vitamin C.

Source: http://www.phytobokaz.fr/attachments/article/20/phytobokaz_table_composition_foods_guadeloupe_20090507144645

​

RECIPE

Green fruits can be baked or fried in rings. It looks like vegan fish steaks.
 
soursop sorbet
- Separate the ripe soursop in two. Using a spoon, collect the pulp. Mix everything with the equivalent of 10cl of water per soursop. Mix then pass through a sieve to remove the seeds.
- Add the juice of 1/2 lemon (prevents oxidation and brings out the sweet taste of soursop)
- This pulp can be used for punches, coulis, mousse, etc.
- Mix 1/2 liter of soursop lemon pulp and 1/2 liter of sugar cane syrup.
- Switch to an ice cream maker. 

Source: The big book of fruits and vegetables lontan - Ed Orphie P27

​

SOURCES

• Directory of fruit and vegetables from Guadeloupe - Ed Orphie - P68
• Caribbean medicinal plants - Dr Longuefosse - Ed Orphie - T1 P80
• Illustrated flora of the phanerogams of Guadeloupe & Martinique - Jacques Fournet - Ed Gondwana, CIRAD -  T1 P80
• The big book of fruits and vegetables long - Ed Orphie P27
• Medicinal plants of the tropics - Ed Exbrayat - T1 P24

• http://caribfruits.cirad.fr/fruits_tropicaux/corossol
• http://www.phytobokaz.fr/attachments/article/20/phytobokaz_table_composition_foods_guadeloupe_20090507144645.pdf