The flavor of the soursop fruit is distinctly tropical. It can be described in a variety of ways. Here are some of the ways the tropical fruit’s devotees describe it when it lands on their palate.
What soursop tastes like:
Many of the fruit’s fans say the taste of soursop is exotic and lovely. It has flavors that are is a combination of: Strawberry and pineapple, with sour citrus flavor notes that contrast with its creamy texture, which is similar to the flavors of coconut and banana.
Other soursop lovers claim the spiny and strange-shaped fruit tastes like a combination between a mango and a pineapple. Some say sweetness prevails with a backend tang. Others claim it is more pineapple-flavored, with hints of mango.
Here is yet another take on the flavor of soursop: It has a delicate fragrance that is tropical, fruity, musky. It has a sour profile, but is sweet enough.
On this point, there are some that claim it is very sweet. It can taste like a combination or mixture of three flavors: pineapple, banana and papaya.
Is soursop delicious?
Mark Twain called the cherimoya, a near relative of soursop: “deliciousness itself.” (See more Mark Twain quotes). He said: “We had an abundance of mangoes, papaias and bananas here, but the pride of the islands, the most delicious fruit known to men, cherimoya, was not in season. It has a soft pulp, like a pawpaw, and is eaten with a spoon. The papaia looks like a small squash, and tastes like a paw paw.” This is from a letter he wrote that was published in the Sacramento Daily Union on October 25, 1866, and details his travels in Hawaii.
What cherimoya tastes like:
There is some distinction between the Soursop and Cherimoya, which are related fruit. Think of them of how there are similar varieties of apples or avocados. Cherimoya fruit has a flavor described as a blend of bananas, pineapples, pears, lemons and other tropical fruits. The fruit is four- to eight-inches and is heart-shaped. It opens easily to reveal a white, sweet pulp and small coin-sized hard black seeds.
Journalist Joan Namkoong, writing in Honolulu magazine described the taste of cherimoya this way: “Inside is smooth, cream-colored, custardy flesh that hints at the flavors of pineapple, mango, passion fruit, banana and lemon.”