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The Taiwanese custard apple—also known as the Taiwanese pineapple sugar apple or Taiwanese sugar apple—is an imported fruit variety with many outstanding advantages, most notably its gigantic size, which is completely different from traditional sugar apple varieties in Vietnam.
The Taiwanese custard apple is one of Taiwan's famous specialty imported fruits. It has a relatively large fruit size, vastly superior to Vietnamese sugar apples, weighing between 0.8 to 1.5 kg per fruit. The key advantages of the Taiwanese custard apple are its large size, firm and chewy flesh, and a sweet, fragrant, and soft flavor that makes it extremely popular among consumers.
Origin and Growth: Originating from a temperate region, this variety is well-suited for cultivation in geographical areas with an altitude of 500 meters or higher, meaning highland mountainous regions. Furthermore, it is a very easy-to-grow variety that sets fruit easily and yields heavily. The Taiwanese custard apple tree is a perennial fruit tree that grows rapidly, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 to 5 meters after 4–5 years.
Seasonality and Harvest: The Taiwanese custard apple season runs from September to May of the following year. The tree begins harvesting fruit in September, which is about one month later than Vietnamese sugar apples. It yields 2 crops per year: one crop from the 9th to the 10th lunar month, and the other crop after the Lunar New Year, from the 2nd to the 4th lunar month.
Market Presence: Being a new variety imported into Vietnam in recent years, its market price is quite high—around 300,000 to 400,000 VND per kg—and it is mostly imported via hand-carry channels. Despite this, it holds great attraction due to its delicious, chewy, soft, smooth, and much sweeter flavor compared to traditional varieties. It is not sold rampantly in regular markets or spontaneous fruit shops; instead, it is exclusively sold in imported fruit stores and by order, often purchased as a luxurious and beautiful gift.
Appearance and Size: The most easily recognizable feature is its appearance. Taiwanese custard apples are large, weighing 2 to 2.5 times more than traditional sugar apples (averaging 700g–1kg per fruit), with an elongated shape rather than the short and round shape of local sugar apples. The segments (eyes) on the skin are separated rather than tightly packed like regular sugar apples.
Flesh Texture and Taste: When ripe, it emits a mild fragrance resembling ripe pineapple. When sliced open, the flesh segments stick together without separating. The ivory-white flesh is chewy, mildly sweet without being harsh, and leaves a cooling sensation on the tip of the tongue.
Skin and Transport: When ripe, the skin retains its original green color or turns slightly yellowish, allowing it to be easily preserved and transported over long distances without bruising.
Seed Count: It has very few seeds—only about 20% of the seed content found in domestic sugar apples.
Unlike traditional soft sugar apples (na bở) which can be scooped out with a spoon, when eating Taiwanese custard apples, you should peel the skin and slice it into pieces, then chill them for 3 to 5 minutes before eating.
Note: The skin is quite thin, so use a very sharp knife to peel it to avoid bruising the fruit. Eating it this way preserves the fruit's authentic flavor. If you want to experience different flavors, you can process it into dishes like smoothies or jams.
Do Not Bite Into Seeds: Be careful not to bite into the seeds. If accidentally swallowed, it is harmless because the seed coat is thick and hard. However, biting into a seed releases toxins from the kernel, which can harm the body.
Quality Check: Avoid selecting fruits with many white scales, black bruises, or deep cracks, as these are warning signs that the fruit has been infested by insects or contains maggots.
Diabetes and Pregnancy: Individuals with diabetes, especially pregnant women, should consume custard apples in moderation because they contain a relatively high sugar content.
Body Constitution: People with a "hot" constitution who are prone to acne or constipation should limit their intake.
Health Benefits: Taiwanese custard apples offer numerous health benefits: they are great for eye health, help treat asthma, regulate heart rate and blood pressure, improve digestion, prevent fatigue, enhance brain health, reduce insomnia, and prevent aging and skin cancer. Like any imported fruit, moderation is key; adjust your daily intake appropriately and do not overeat.
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