What is "cherimoya"

n. 1 A subtropical tree, (taxlink Annona cherimola species noshow=1), native to mountainous areas of South America. 2 A conical fruit with white flesh from that tree.

1. n. small tropical American tree bearing round or oblong fruit [syn: cherimoya tree, Annona cherimola]

2. large tropical fruit with leathery skin and soft pulp; related to custard apples [syn: cherimolla]

The cherimoya, also spelled chirimoya, is the fruit of the species Annona cherimola, which generally is thought to be native to Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia then transported to the Andes and Central America. Today, cherimoya is grown throughout South Asia, Central America, South America, California, Hawaii, southern Europe, East Africa, Kisii in particular and northern Africa.

Mark Twain called the cherimoya "the most delicious fruit known to man". The creamy texture of the flesh gives the fruit its secondary name, custard apple.

Cherimoya (4 May 1908 – 1927) was a Thoroughbred racehorse that won the 1911 Epsom Oaks in the only start of her racing career. Cherimoya was bred and owned by South African mining magnate William Broderick Cloete, who was killed in 1915 during the sinking of the Lusitania. Her most notable offspring were the fillies Sunny Moya and Una Cameron. Cherimoya was euthanised in 1927.