Rollinia 'Sputnik' ripe and ready to pick at LCG April 2024 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
Rollinia 'Sputnik'
Annona mucosa
Annonaceae family
Delicious lemony flavour with bright yellow fruits - aromatic, soft and juicy. Related to the Custard Apple, and arguably the most delicious - its flavour has been likened to lemon meringue pie and apple custard.
The flesh is eaten fresh, and can also be used in yoghurt, ice cream, milk shakes, jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys. The flesh oxidises rapidly once the fruit is cut.
At its best just before fully ripe when the rind is mostly but not completely yellow; fully ripe or overripe fruit tends to be less flavoursome; the fruit is very delicate and bruises easily.
Native to the western amazon basin of Brazil. Rarely seen grown commercially.
Tree maintenance
Annona mucosa
Annonaceae family
Delicious lemony flavour with bright yellow fruits - aromatic, soft and juicy. Related to the Custard Apple, and arguably the most delicious - its flavour has been likened to lemon meringue pie and apple custard.
The flesh is eaten fresh, and can also be used in yoghurt, ice cream, milk shakes, jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys. The flesh oxidises rapidly once the fruit is cut.
At its best just before fully ripe when the rind is mostly but not completely yellow; fully ripe or overripe fruit tends to be less flavoursome; the fruit is very delicate and bruises easily.
Native to the western amazon basin of Brazil. Rarely seen grown commercially.
Tree maintenance
- Prune only in the warmer months - as it is a semi-deciduous tree, do not prune through dormancy, wait until it has new growth in the spring and it has begun to harden.
- Lateral branches can be long and drooping so the tree should be skirted and trimmed, as fruit loads will either cause breakages or contact with soil.
- Fertilise with well-rotted organic matter and mulch.
- Watering in dry periods is essential.
Cut Rollinia 'Sputnik' at LCG May 2023 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
Unripe Rollinia 'Sputnik' at LCG (photo credit: Graham Bond)
Rollinia 'Sputnik' at LCG January 2025 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Rollinia 'Sputnik' at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
