Have you ever seen a soursop and wondered what you’re supposed to do with it?
With its green skin and soft, thorn-like appearance, soursop can look a little intimidating if you’ve never eaten one before. But cut it open and you’ll discover soft, creamy white fruit with a wonderfully sweet and tangy tropical flavor.
In this video, we’re showing you exactly how to eat a soursop and enjoy this unique tropical fruit. How to Eat Soursop
What Is Soursop?
Soursop, also known as guanabana or graviola, is a tropical fruit from the Annona muricata tree.
The fruit has green skin covered with soft spines or projections. Inside is white, creamy flesh containing numerous dark seeds.
The ripe fruit is soft and fragrant and is often enjoyed fresh or used in drinks, smoothies, desserts, and frozen treats.
What Does Soursop Taste Like?
Soursop has one of those flavors that is difficult to describe with just one fruit.
The flesh is:
- Sweet
- Creamy
- Juicy
- Slightly tart
- Tropical
- Fragrant
People commonly compare the flavor to a combination of pineapple, strawberry, citrus, and banana.
The creamy texture is part of what makes soursop so special.
How to Eat a Soursop
Eating a ripe soursop is easier than it looks.
Step 1: Make Sure It’s Ripe
A ripe soursop should have some softness when gently pressed.
An unripe soursop will generally be much firmer and less flavorful. Leave it on the counter until it softens.
Step 2: Cut It Open
Wash the outside of the fruit and carefully cut the soursop in half.
You can also cut it into sections if you prefer.
Step 3: Scoop Out the Flesh
Use a spoon to scoop out the soft white flesh.
You can eat it directly from the skin or remove the flesh and place it into a bowl.
Step 4: Remove the Seeds
Soursop contains numerous dark seeds.
Remove the seeds before eating the flesh or before using soursop in recipes.
Do not chew or eat the seeds.
If you’re making a smoothie or purée, take the time to remove the seeds first.
Is Soursop Nutritious?
Soursop provides a variety of nutrients and naturally occurring plant compounds.
Vitamin C
Soursop contains vitamin C, an antioxidant nutrient that supports normal immune function and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.
Dietary Fiber
The fruit contains dietary fiber, which is important for normal digestive health.
Potassium
Soursop provides potassium, an essential mineral involved in normal nerve and muscle function and fluid balance.
Magnesium
Soursop also provides magnesium, which contributes to normal muscle and nerve function and energy metabolism.
Naturally Occurring Plant Compounds
Soursop contains naturally occurring compounds including polyphenols and acetogenins.
These compounds have been studied in laboratory and preclinical research, but it’s important not to confuse laboratory research with proven health benefits in humans.
You may see claims online that soursop can cure cancer or other serious diseases. Those claims have not been established by good clinical evidence.
The best reason to enjoy soursop is that it is a delicious whole fruit that provides nutrients as part of a varied diet.
Ways to Enjoy Soursop
Fresh soursop is delicious on its own, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy it.
Try using the seedless pulp in:
- Smoothies
- Fruit bowls
- Frozen desserts
- Popsicles
- Freeze bars
- Sorbets
- Smoothie bowls
- Tropical drinks
- Desserts
Soursop pairs beautifully with other tropical fruits and can add a creamy texture and sweet-tart flavor to recipes.
A Few Important Tips
There are a few things to remember when enjoying soursop.
Eat the white flesh.
Remove the seeds.
Do not chew or eat the seeds.
And make sure you allow the fruit to ripen before eating it. A properly ripe soursop will be much softer, sweeter, and more enjoyable than an unripe fruit.
Come Discover Tropical Fruit With Us
At Jessie’s Tropical Fruit Farm, we love introducing people to tropical fruits they may have never tasted before.
If you’re in the Naples area, come visit us and discover what’s available!
Jessie’s Tropical Fruit Farm
1255 Dove Tree St.
Naples, FL 34117
Open to the Public:
Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday
1 PM – 5 PM
For more information about our farm, tropical fruit, products, and what’s currently available:
LoveTropicalFruit.com
And don’t forget to check out our other How to Eat Tropical Fruit videos, including:
There are so many incredible tropical fruits to discover—and sometimes the hardest part is simply figuring out how to eat them!
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