Annona Red Israel Fruit Plant (Annona x Atemoya Red Israel)

Annona Red Israel – The Rare Jewel of Exotic Flavor and Nutritional Brilliance

Botanical Name: Annona x Atemoya ‘Red Israel’
Common Name: Annona Red Israel

When a fruit combines the best characteristics of two exquisite parents—cherimoya and sugar apple—the result is Atemoya, and among its finest cultivars stands the captivating Annona Red Israel. With its distinct reddish skin and heart-shaped form, this fruit is a collector’s delight and a gardener’s dream. Revered for its enchanting taste and significant health benefits, this tree has found a treasured space in the orchards of Israel, parts of South America, and now, through Veliyath Gardens, in the hearts of tropical fruit enthusiasts across India.

✦ Botanical and Origin Details

• Hybrid Heritage: This cultivar is a cross between Annona squamosa (Sugar Apple) and Annona cherimola (Cherimoya), both tropical favorites.

• Country Presence: Originally developed in Israel, it is now cultivated in Thailand, parts of Brazil, and introduced in select tropical nurseries in India.

• Growth Form: Typically seen as a deciduous or semi-evergreen spreading tree, reaching up to 9 meters in natural conditions and up to 3 meters when cultivated in managed home gardens.

• Foliage: The leaves are elongate-oval, leathery in texture, and lush green, forming an elegant canopy around the fruit.

✦ Appearance and Sensory Features of the Fruit

• Shape and Size: Heart-shaped and medium to large-sized fruit, often drawing attention for its vibrant reddish exterior.

• Flesh Quality: The inner pulp is soft, white to pink-tinted, extremely juicy and free of strong acidity.

• Taste Profile: A truly luxurious combination of pineapple’s tang, vanilla’s sweetness, and a hint of blueberry freshness.

• Aroma: Subtle and floral, making it an inviting experience from the first cut.

✦ Culinary Potential and Taste Integration

• Eaten fresh as a dessert fruit due to its naturally sweet and complex flavor.

• A popular choice in fruit bowls, smoothie blends, and tropical desserts.

• Pulp can be chilled or whipped into frozen desserts like sorbets or ice creams.

• Suitable for gourmet salads, where the balance of tang and sweetness enhances citrus or berry-based vinaigrettes.

• Locally enjoyed as a gifted seasonal treat, especially for festive or ceremonial gatherings in tropical regions.

✦ Nutritional Richness and Health Rewards

• Vitamin C

  • Enhances immunity and supports skin elasticity

  • Promotes cellular repair and detoxification

• Calcium

  • Vital for bone strength and dental health

  • Assists in muscle function and nerve signaling

• Dietary Fiber

  • Improves digestive health

  • Helps in regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels

• Other Phytonutrients

  • Contains antioxidants believed to reduce oxidative stress

  • Low in fat, yet energizing—ideal for those following a balanced, clean-eating lifestyle

✦ Traditional Uses and Folk Relevance

• Though this hybrid is modern in origin, its parent species have deep roots in traditional medicine:

  • Annona squamosa was used in Ayurvedic remedies for digestion and skin care

  • Annona cherimola featured in Peruvian and Andean herbal practices for calming the nerves and aiding recovery from fever

• In home herbalism, the leaves of Atemoya varieties are lightly brewed into teas for relaxation and sleep enhancement

✦ Garden Growth and Cultivation Insight

• Plant Type: Deciduous to semi-evergreen

• Sun Requirements: Prefers full sun for optimal fruiting

• Soil: Thrives in light, well-drained, and fertile soils, enriched with organic compost

• Watering Needs: Moderate and consistent, especially during the flowering and fruit-setting stage

• Pruning: Periodic trimming of crossing branches encourages better airflow and light penetration

• Container Growing: Suitable for large containers, particularly in patios or controlled tropical garden spaces

• Bloom and Fruiting: Starts to bear fruit within 2 to 3 years under good care

• Maintenance: Moderate, with seasonal feeding and pest observation being sufficient

✦ Harvest, Preservation, and Storage

• When to Harvest: Fruits are best picked when the outer skin shows deep color development and slight softness near the stem

• Shelf Life: Best consumed within 3 to 5 days after harvesting

• Preservation Tips:

  • Pulp can be scooped and frozen in airtight containers

  • Fresh slices can be chilled and added to desserts or breakfast meals

• Seed Care: Seeds can be dried and stored for propagation under warm, dry conditions

✦ Rarity, Popularity, and Cultural Appreciation

• This hybrid is considered a rare cultivar and not widely available in open markets.

• The fruit is often gifted as a symbol of exotic abundance and love.

• In Israel and high-end orchards in Thailand, the fruit is promoted as a luxury fruit, offered to guests and showcased at markets as a delicacy.

• Due to its short shelf life and high demand, it holds a premium value in regions where it is introduced.

✦ A Veliyath Gardens Specialty – Limited and Highly Demanded

The Annona Red Israel fruit plant remains in short supply at Veliyath Gardens, owing to its soaring popularity among exotic fruit collectors and wellness gardeners. Our carefully nurtured specimens are known for healthy growth, true-to-type fruit, and excellent adaptability. Due to limited seasonal propagation, it is highly advised to pre-book or check availability before your visit.

✦ Why Annona Red Israel Deserves a Place in Your Garden

• A plant that not only nourishes the body but adds artistic beauty to your fruit garden

• An ideal choice for those who value health through food, wellness from nature, and the rare joy of harvesting something extraordinary

• Offers a unique flavor profile that no commercial fruit can quite replicate

• Encourages organic living, self-sufficiency, and family-friendly gardening

• Can turn your garden into a space of discovery, delight, and deep-rooted healing

Conclusion

Annona x Atemoya ‘Red Israel’ is more than a fruit—it is a celebration of careful hybrid cultivation, global horticultural love, and natural nutrition. With its exceptional taste, medicinal legacy, and rare availability, this fruit plant is a treasure that invites you to connect with the soil, savor natural sweetness, and invest in sustainable health.

Secure your Annona Red Israel from Veliyath Gardens today—before the season’s demand leaves you waiting. Let this radiant heart-shaped beauty bring health, color, and joy to your tropical paradise.