Soursop leaves come from Annona muricata, the same tree as the fruit. The leaf is dried and steeped as a tea, most often in the evening. Leaf and fruit are sold under the same three names and used entirely differently.
How to tell it apart
| The leaf | Elliptical, pointed, glossy when fresh and dull olive when dried. Steeped, not eaten. |
|---|---|
| The fruit | Large, green, spined. Eaten fresh or blended. Nothing to do with the leaf tea beyond the tree they share. |
You will find strong medical claims attached to this leaf online, particularly about cancer. The evidence does not support them. We sell it because it is a traditional Caribbean leaf tea with a distinctive taste, and that is the only reason we will give you for buying it. If you take medication or are pregnant, ask a doctor before adding any new herbal tea.
Specimen
| Botanical name | Annona muricata |
|---|---|
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Part used | Dried leaf |
| Also called | Graviola, corossol |
| Origin | Grown and dried in Saint Lucia |
| Form | Whole and dried, not ground |
Using it
- Steeped as a leaf tea, usually a few leaves to a cup of hot water.
- Commonly taken in the evening rather than the morning.
Keeping it
Airtight, dark and dry, whole rather than crumbled.
Read more
Need a larger volume? Cases and bulk quantities are quoted the same way as a single pack — say how much you need in the form below and we will price it, and mention it in the notes if you want a recurring supply.
