Description

🍈 Custard Apple Specifications – General Overview

1. Variety:

• Popular Varieties:

  • Balanagar – Widely grown in India, medium size, excellent sweetness.

  • Hybrid/Custard Apple-Red – Larger in size, more pulp, export-grade.

  • Mammoth / African Pride – Grown in some tropical regions, ideal for export due to size and appearance.

2. Size & Weight:

• Varies by variety, generally between:

  • 150 to 350 grams per fruit

  • Export-grade fruits usually weigh 200–300 grams

3. Color:

• Skin: Green (may be slightly yellowish when ripe), with segmented/scaly appearance.

• Flesh: Creamy white, soft, and sweet with black seeds.

4. Shape:

• Heart-shaped or round with characteristic segmented/scaly skin.

• Should be uniform in size and shape for export.

5. Taste & Aroma:

• Very sweet and aromatic.

• Creamy, custard-like pulp with a rich tropical flavor.

• Brix level (sugar content): 20° to 25°, depending on ripeness.

6. Maturity Indicators:

• Slightly soft to touch and light yellow tinge between segments.

• Fruit should not be overripe or too firm for export.

• Skin should not be cracked or blemished.

7. Packaging:

• Delicate fruit – requires careful packing.

• Typically packed in:

  • 1–2 kg trays or 3–5 kg cartons

  • With foam netting, paper shreds, or molded pulp trays.

• Individual wrapping or cushioning advised to prevent bruising.

• Boxes should be ventilated and labeled with variety, weight, grade, and origin.

8. Shelf Life:

• Short shelf life: 3–5 days at room temperature.

• In cold storage (8°C to 12°C): Up to 7–10 days.

• Best transported quickly and under cooled conditions.

9. Storage Conditions:

• Temperature: 8°C to 12°C (not below 8°C to avoid chilling injury).

• Relative Humidity: 85% – 90%