Today I wanted to share an exotic fruit with you, the soursop fruit.
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What is the Soursop fruit?
Soursop, also known as guanabana, graviola, or Brazilian pawpaw, is a tropical fruit with a green leathery and spiky skin, making it look like a plump little dragon.
It is related to the custard apple and has a similar texture. Behind the rough facade hides deliciously creamy and tropically fragrant flesh, which is smooth and creamy like a custard with a slightly grainy texture.
The taste has a hint of mango, pineapple, strawberry, and citrus with a texture reminiscent of a ripe banana. It contains a high amount of fiber, vitamin C, and other antioxidants.
In Goa, my second home, people call this wondrous fruit juliao or जुलीआव in Konkani.
Around the world, soursop is known under various names such as guanábana (Spanish), graviola (Portuguese), Brazilian pawpaw, guyabano, corossolier, toge-banreisi, durian benggala, nangka blanda, and nangka londa.
In Malayalam, it is called mullaatha, which literally means "thorny custard apple."
In Hindi, this fruit is named hanumanphal after the monkey god Hanuman.
Interestingly, all the fruits of the Anona family, such as the sweetsop and custard apple, despite their foreign origins and relatively recent introduction to the country by Portuguese traders, are also called after Hindu gods - sitaphal, ramphal, and laxmanphal.
It is said that these are the fruits the gods had respectively during their 14-year-long sojourn in the forest.
Health Claims
Though this interesting-looking fruit and the seeds and leaves of the tree have been touted as a cure for cancer, you should be careful when consuming any part of the tree as they might cause allergies and adverse reactions.
No scientific studies support the claim that soursop is effective in curing cancer.
Like many fruits and vegetables, soursop has a high level of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, particularly phosphorus, calcium, iron, B vitamins, and vitamin C.
But as with any fruit or vegetable being touted as a "superfood" or "cure for cancer," one should remember that unfortunately, there is no miracle health cure, and health can only be achieved by leading a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise and the inclusion of various whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
Uses
Soursop is best eaten raw and when fully ripe.
The fruit can be cut open with a knife, and the creamy flesh scooped out with a spoon.
There are numerous glossy mahogany-colored seeds inside the soursop.
The fruit is widely consumed in Brazil, Mexico, and the Caribbean in juices, smoothies, custards, ice cream, and other desserts.
Guanabana is wonderful when paired with milk.
You can experiment with this delicious fruit and use it in cheesecakes, muffins, oatmeal, or to create a tropical fruit yogurt.
If you like lemon curd, you could make a soursop curd.
While mostly used in sweet preparations, there are some recipes using soursop to make a vegan fish substitute.
The recipe uses an unripe fruit that is breaded and fried just like you would prepare a white and flaky fish.
![Fresh Soursop Juice [Guanabana fruit]](https://www.masalaherb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Soursop-Juice-5.jpg)
Storing
Once the fruit is ripe, it has to be consumed soon.
The moment the spikes on the fruit turn brown, the fruit has to be consumed.
The fruit ripens very fast and will become super soft.
You can freeze the pulp for later use.
The best way to do that is to freeze the pulp in an ice cube tray so that it can be stored easily in a jar, glass container, or freezer bag.
Where to buy it?
In big cities in the US, check local Latin American and East Asian grocery stores where you might be able to find fresh soursop fruit and canned or frozen pulp.
Online, there are several Caribbean, Latin American, and East Asian grocery stores that carry the pulp, such as.
Walmart and Instacart also carry soursop pulp.
Instacart has a variety of tropical fruit pulps by Goya, including soursop.
Also, tropical fruit sellers, such as carry soursop, which can be bought in a box of 4-6 fruits.
Interestingly, you can get fresh soursop fruits frown in the US on Etsy and eBay from independent farmers.
How to grow it?
If you live in a tropical country, you could try your hand at growing this majestic fruit from seeds. You can get the seeds on Amazon or a sapling from Etsy or eBay.
The tree needs a lot of rain, well-drained rich soil containing manure or compost, and high air humidity.
The tree grows very quickly, and it takes about 5 years for the seed to grow into a tall but thin tree. The fruits will start to appear after about 3-4 years.
I created a list of tropical fruits that I have put together if you are into exotic specimens.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section further below!
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any idea where I can get this fruit in pune or even mumbai?
Hi Bosco,
U said that u are aware of two vendors who sell this fruits so please kindly send me the contact no.s of the vendors. Its very urgent.. I'm currently at Mumbai near Tata memorial hospital and my sister is a cancer patient, I need this fruit for her since I have heard the benefits of this fruit regarding cancer.. Will be very much thankful to u..
Regards
Sunya
Hi, Helene..
In one of your above recent comment u said that this fruit is not a cure for any illness, so is it really true? Coz I have heard that this fruit helps in cancer treatment and my sister is a cancer patient with stageIV and I'm very much worried about her.. So please help with the correct information if you can, I will be thankful if u do so..
With regards
Sunya
sir I am suffring from the cancer sir ples tell me the addres where this fruit will be get in mumbai plz im requesting u sir
I bought this fruit from Crawford market. It is known as lakshmanphal and comes from the sitafal family. The sitafal is green with rounded segments. The ramphal is red in colour while lakshmanphal is green like a thorny sitafal.
There are two vendors who sell this fruit. I am travelling now and do not have access to their contact numbers. Will send them later. The current price for this fruit is about Rs. 1000 per kg. However you have to really check the fruit before you buy it. If you are good at bargaining, you can get it cheap.
I have an urgent requirement that I heared this fruit has cure for Cancer deases.
I am looking for this fruit in Nagpur or Mumbai.
Can anybody confirm me from where I can get this fruit in Nagpur or Mumbai.
I am also looking for this fruit do anybody know from where can I get this fruit in Nagpur or Mumbai. I have some urgent requirement that I listended that this fruit have cure for Cancer deases.
Thanks...
Dear frnds,
my mother in law is suffering from pancreatic cancer..need dis fruit asap..i m in KOLKATA..can anyone pls guide me whr to find it..its urgent..pls help
DEAR SIR /MADAM
CAN YOU GIVE ME ADDRESS AND CONTACT DETAILS OF SUPPLIER OF LEAVES OF HANUMAN PHAL IN AUNDH PARIHAR CHOUK.
THANKS
SACHIN JANGADE
Hi Helene Dsouza,
Would like to share my experience about the sour soup.
When i was in the Caribbean island ( St lucia ), the place / house where in stayed in the backyard garden i saw the same big fruit hanging on the tree. i picked few and took snaps to check with my mom to find out the name. She was unaware. However the picked fruit was not ripen. ( kept it on the table and i used to see it everyday, after a week time it was kind of spoiled).
Many fruits feel on the garden and went of no use so i picked some and put in the sharing kitchen ( i stayed at a sharing apartment ). One day cleaning lady came to my house and saw the same fruit and said this is a sour soup. Later she explained the benefits and offered a sour soup juice, Just ignored becaue of carelessness.
Now i realized the value of Sour Soup where the leaves are sold for 1000 rupees via online. And not that easy to get a fresh Sour Soup fruit. ( when it was easily /readily available ignore and now searching the same ).
Some says it's RamSitaPhal is that true ?
Regards
Janardhan K
Hi Janardhan,
I personally wouldn't have known about the fruit if my local husband wouldn't have shared his knowledge with me so I understand what you mean. The rates online for the leafs are crazy high no? I am not sure if soursop is known as ram sita phal too, this might be the custard apple. Confusion remains around the Indian language names.
hy all, my relative suffering from cancer, if any one know to regading HANUMANFAL , let me inform immediately on my mail id. Your cooperation will be highly appreciated.
Where can I get soursop leaves and fruit in bangalore. Thanks
hai to all,
Is it available in the form of green tee in india (hyderabad). if not available in the form of green tee. where the leaves and fruits are available in india?
i need urgently because, one of my cuisine is suffering from cancer.
could you please answer as soon as possible any one.
my name altaf from varansi uttarpradesh, my mother in low serfing cancer last three years.pls.anybody know were I bye this fruit and doses tips pls.
where we get this fruit at Hyderabad/secunderabad.
Hi Bryan / Vasu,
Can u pl. assist me where i can get this fruit in Bangalore......pl....help.... as i am in Bangalore today & will be leaving tomorrow....
Still awaiting your guidance........
Is it effective in bone cancer?
Rajeev I am sorry, I don't know.
Hi Helene, can tou let me know where this fruit will be available in goa?
Regards,
Ramona
Ramona did you try some of the main city markets such as Mapusa, Panjim, Vaso and Margao? You should be able to get the fruit now. Otherwise local houses will have soursop trees in their gardens, so maybe somebody in your neighborhood or village could provide you with the fruit.
dear friends, i will be very happy if you can let me know that where in new delhi, gurgain or ncr region can i find 'hanuman phal'. this is really required for my frnds mother suffering from pancreatic cancer... please will be glad if anyone can help. thanks
Hi Trisha, I hope others will be able to direct you here. I personally barely know Delhi. Keep in mind too that the fruit itself can not replace conventional cancer treatments, it may assist in the well being of the patient and it may prevent cancer cells to multiply as well.
Hi Bryan Ferrao,
I am from Bangalore and would request you to provide me the address and the contact no of the person in Bangalore selling this fruit and its stem and leaves
Kindly help awaiting for a early reply
Regards
Hi can I know where in the world this is available
You get it in India and right now it should be in season until September/October at least (of course it depend on the climate region in india).
Hi,
Can you let me know where did u find this fruit in Bangalore.
Regds,
Vasu
hi
were can i get this fruit in goa ca u ctc m on m mail address as its very very urgent.
Kay you might be able to get it in the mapusa market right now
otherwise ask locals in the market for Juliao fruit. They should know it!
Hope that helps.
Hi! Helene, i bought this graviola fruits for my mum who is suffering from ca-3stage. But here in Delhi, it's size is quite big. It's 5 kg per 1 fruit so, i just want to know how to store it and how can i feed my mum by tube please help
wow 5 kg is indeed huge. I am sorry to hear about your mothers condition. We usually eat it straight away and I hadn't tried to store it yet since we hardly get this fruit here. I am not sure but you might be able to take out the pulp and keep in the freezer (not sure at all if that works with this fruit!). I really can't tell you how you can give it to your mum. =( I would suggest to ask a doctor, he might be able to help you more here.
hi
actually my jijaji is suffering from liver cancer,you told the bengali name of that fruit 'ataa fol" but is it the same kind of fruit in taste as published in urs block???shall i refer to use it or it has any other name in bengali...plz rply
Hi Kunal! Yes somebody mentioned above in the comment section that it was called Ataa fol, but I personally can't confirm that if it is the correct translation. I hope to find more information about the Bengali name too and of course if I get to know something I ll post it here.
Hello all, Greetings from Mumbai. Further to my last comment on this blog, we have located this fruit Ramphal (Annona Reticulata) in Mahim West, Mumbai. It is available with a couple of vendors in the Fruit & Vegetable market opposite Citylight Cinema on L J Road. The present price is Rs. 100 per kg and if you can strike a rapport with the vendors they even deliver regularly to your door.
While concluding, I will again humbly advise all concerned (especially ones who are battling with cancer) to consume this fruit only in addition to the regular chemotherapy OR radiation or other treatments as prescribed by their oncologist. Please note it is not yet proven to be a substitute to such treatments. Above all, please do keep a very positive frame of mind because that has been documented to make a huge difference. God Bless.
Hanish thank you again for all the details, very appreciated and of course I agree with what you are saying that one needs to keep a positive frame of mind above anything else. People(and even some my own family members) have died of cancer and often it was the fear of the unknown death, yet I have seen as many people who had faith and who managed to overcome fear and they beat the cancer at the end.
where do you get this fruit in delhi !!
is it available in this season - APRIL.
hi Bob!
You can find details on where other visitors of this page have found the fruit in delhi if you read through the comments above.
Here in Goa it is not available right now but maybe somewhere else in the cities it might be.
Hi! Bob, you can get it from I.N.A Market. It cost 350 to 400 per kg
I have done some search on the internet and understand that it is actually Ramphal, not Sitaphal or Hanumanphal as some are referring to it in this blog, though all 3 are from same family. Its actual name is Annona Reticulata. Further, the articles talking about cancer curing properties are very clear in two aspects - firstly they claim that extracts from leaves of this tree have been found to attack & destroy cancerous cells in test-tube environment but I could not find any article referring to the actual fruit pulp per se having such properties. Secondly the articles also seem to indicate that proper trials and research allowing it to be made available to patients commercially might take upto a decade or more. Most importantly I would advise cancer patients to keep a positive frame of mind and use this only in addition to the chemotherapy or other forms of treatment that their oncologists might have recommended. Keep faith...
I have just come to Mumbai to seek treatment for my cancer affected wife and will also try to locate this fruit here; in case I find availability, I will inform readers on this same blog so they might benefit as well.
Cheers to all of you.
I agree a positive frame of mind is important for cancer patients. I am sorry to hear Hanish that your wife is suffering from cancer and we all would be grateful if you get the chance to post here about some news where the fruit is available. Cheers!
What is the name of this fruit in Malayalam and where it can be find in Kerala
Sorry I don't know what it is called in Malayam Soman and I don't know where you could get it in Kerala. Maybe somebody else knows and can share her/his knowledge.
Mullan Chakka
Dear Soman,
its name in malayalam is "Aathakka pazham"
please search , you can find in kerala.
Hiii, Helene. m searching for this fruit for more than 3 months, bt m not getting this fruit anywhere in Nagpur. I doubt tht m veing Cancer. please suggest.
I personally don't know Nagpur. Hopefully somebody else here might now where to get it in Nagpur!
Any idea of its availability in Ahmedabad or Gujarat.
Pls assist where do i get this fruit in Mumbai as my sister is suffering from liver cancer and doctors have given up. Need this asap before it is too late.
I am sorry to hear about your sisters illness. You might be able to get the fruit in navi bombay, crawford market.
i am looking for the fruit in Kolkata , does it not look like custard apple or shareefa as we call it ..is it same as sitafal or ramfal
I am impressed by this fruit and its wonderful properties. I have been seeing this fruit from last week in Bangalore and enquired I was told it is Ramsitaphal... on the net I have found out the correct name. it avaialbe in Bangalore at 200/- INR per KG.
Maybe someone from this forum can let me know, where can I find this fruit in Bangalore or Chennai.
where can i get it in calcutta??
you can get in Crawford market,vashisector 9 market,and in pune parihar chowk
how to found this shul ram phal
Hi Pradeep!
Where are you located in India?
I want a plant of this fruit..... where can i get it in Bangalore....? if am ready to visit Goa, can u assure me that u can really gimme a plant of that fruit........plz...plz...plz.....
Hi Shohom!
I am sorry but I don't know where you could get the soursop in Bangalore. The best thing is to ask local sellers in the market by showing them the picture and explaining the fruit. There are many names for the fruit all over India so sellers might not recognize it by the name. In the same time try to Google for "buy soursop in bangalore" or similar.
Right now the tree and fruit are so rare and difficult to get in Goa, that we took over a year to finally get a tiny tree. In case we find one, I ll post it here!
Im also looking for fruit in Pune for a friend. PLease forward the letter on how to find it.
Thank you
Sorry I don't know Pune so I can't advice you on where you might be able to get it. If you haven't tried it already then you can maybe take a picture of the fruit to the market or show it with your mobile to a vendor. There might be chances that they haven't got the fruit around but that the fruit seller knows how to get hold of it.
Since I had written this post, the soursop has become even more scarce in Goa. I havn't seen a fruit since that picture was made of the one above. Your best bet though is to go to local houses that grow the tree in their garden and buy it directly from them. Locals are often unaware of this fruit.
All the best to you and please if anybody knows an answer on where to find this fruit in different places in India, please share it with us! The fruit has mostly become rare because of the fact that people don't know its uses! Sharing knowledge is vital, so don't hesitate to share with the others. We might be able to make others aware of its use, so that it gets more available for us all!
Dear Zi<{:))
Hi<{:))
I am also from Pune and I got this fruit in Parihar chowk, Aundh, It is in season and it's called Hanuman Phal.<{:)) Hope this helps.
Thank you very much Urmila for the kind feedback! I hope that will help other who are living in pune to find the soursop easier. =)
Can you please tell me from where do i’ll get this fruit in PUNE? My mother is suffering from Cancer.
please Reply
replied by email
sangita:- have u gott that fruits? if yes from where u get that?? i m frm pune too
Dear Debasmita. Hi<{:))
I am also from Pune and I got this fruit in Parihar chowk, Aundh, It is in season and it's called Hanuman Phal.<{:)) Hope this helps.
what is the season period of this wonder fruit? can any one reply me on mail id?
Hi Urmila,
Could you please let me know in Parihar Chowk where exactly do you got this?
Thanks
Hello i read about is this article.....i m eager to know where can i get this fruit because i haven't seen in any of my closed fruit seller.
My dad is under going his chemo n its really painful for him , plus the tablets given to him are making him feel more weak....
> replied by email
plzz help me .. where can i get this fruit in india my father is suffering from the liver cancer stage 4.. please help that how can i get this fruit.
Hello Piyush! Where do you live approximately? If you live in Bombay, pune or delhi, you should be able to to buy the fruit in the markets there. Sellers will know it as Shulramfal or as any other Indian name, that I have mentioned above in the Article.
Can you please tell me from where this fruit available in Mumbai?
Can you please tell me from where do i'll get this fruit in Mumbai?
Hi Rasshmi!
You might get it in the main market there. I am not that much familiar with Bombay but I heard that it is available.
Hope that helps!
Hi Rashmi...<{:))
This fruit is called Hanuman phal....It is between Sitaphal (Custard Apple) & RamPhal.. You should get it in Crawford market or Breach Candy fruit stalls. It's in season now..I bought 2 few days ago. I am in Pune.<{:))
HI Urmila,
Please let me know from where you brought this fruit in pune. and can i get this fruit now i. e. in june. what will be the cost of this fruit.
heyyy Urmila..
I myself need this fruit...I'm trying to find them egrly since from last month...I'm not getting them..I just wanted to know is this fruit is seasonal or can I get them in any monthh..and if I can get this now would I get them in crawford market for suree???
plzzzz reply..its toooo urgent
-
Hello Rohit,
The fruit is in season however it's not a cure to any illness in this world.
u can get in vashi sector 9 market
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Hi Bert!
not sure how the browser problem is caused on your page. I work with wp, so maybe that can be a solution for you. 😉
what is soursop known in bengali?????
please reply. its urgent.
Its Ataa fol.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us Tasnuva!
Its not Ataa-fol, ataa fol is sweet apple fruit. I dont think its the same thing....
That one isnt that dangerouse. The dangerouse fruits falling of treese and smashing even cars are the Jackfruits. some few kg heavy, full of flesh and sticky inside.
Wow! I've never seen or heard of this fruits. This poky fruit might drop on to the ground...right? Kind of dangerous if you are under the tree? lol. Looks juicy and delish!
@Picetto gracie =)
@Debbie yeah totaly awesome and useful! Yes the leaves are used too and what many don't know, the bark too. Found an other intessting soursop bark "recipe" accidently online.
http://benefitofplants.blogspot.com/2011/03/benefit-of-soursop-increase-fertility.html
Somebody was selling leaves of the soursop tree online.
@louise yeah recipe would be good. I was thinking of a marmelade but I d like to try something totaly different with the fruit. I have been on the look out for a recipe too.
I ll defenetly remind you, but for the first I ll see you on your blog for the sunday surprise! *excited* =P
I've heard of soursop before. I think I may have seen it at the local grocery store too. I'm sure I must have a recipe or two around here that brings out the goodness but where oh where is another question for another day.
Thanks for reintroducing me, Helene. I'll try to remember to seek out some more info and a recipe or two. Feel free to remind me:)
Thanks for sharing...
Awesome!!! You have the soursop where you live too 🙂 I've heard that the both the fruit and its leaves are good for you.
A me è piaciuto moltissimo, quello che ho provato era molto maturo e mi era stato portato dal Brasile. Ciao e complimenti per il tuo splendido blog
M.G.
thank you tanja for your uplifting lovely reply. =) It is very exotic to me too. I heard that some ppl export the leaves and the bark to the western countries, these should be buyable in the US etc., if u give the time to researche off and online. I wouldn't mind sending u some leaves at least..., if the posting costs weren't so cruely high.
have a nice day
Great post, Helen! I have never heard of Soursop fruit before, it is very exotic to me, and I would so love to taste it!!! Described as a health benefit wonder, it surely would be regularly on my plate, when I had the chance to get some 🙂 Thank you so much Helene for introducing me to Soursop fruit!
Have a great day!
Tanja
Hi,
Can u give me details from where u purchased this fruit?
Regards,
Vipul
grazie Picetto molto.
Ho creato questo nuovo blog di recente, il cibo è il mio hobby e passione.
hai detto che avevi provato questo frutto. Ti è piaciuto il gusto poi?
Dimenticavo ho provato questo frutto tanti anni fa, quando ero piccola, e lo ho trovato buonissimo, ciao
M.G.
Ciao, grazie per essere diventata una mia lettrice, il tuo blog è bellissimo e da oggi ti seguirò assiduamente, ti auguro una buona giornata
M.G.