Guanabana Cuba (Soursop): Taste, Juice, Seeds & Safety

Verified August 28, 2026.

What is guanabana?

Guanabana is the fruit of Annona muricata. The green skin has soft spines, while the edible white pulp surrounds dark seeds. The Spanish spelling is guanábana; English names include soursop and graviola.

How it may be served in Cuba

Taste and selection

A ripe fruit is fragrant, creamy and slightly acidic. Choose fruit that yields gently to pressure. Avoid fruit that is split, heavily blackened, leaking or smells fermented. Wash the outside before cutting and remove every seed.

Availability in Varadero

Availability depends on the season, transport, hotel supplies and refrigeration. Ask ¿Tiene guanábana? and whether the drink uses fresh fruit or frozen pulp. Do not assume a buffet or juice bar will have it every day.

Read the broader Fruits of Cuba guide and the Food and Water Safety guide.

Health claims and supplements

Eating guanabana as normal food is different from taking concentrated leaf tea, capsules or extracts. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center states that graviola fruit is generally safe to eat as food, but there is no proof that graviola benefits cancer patients. Concentrated supplements may also interact with medicines that lower blood sugar or blood pressure. See the current Memorial Sloan Kettering graviola guidance. Travellers using medication should speak with a qualified health professional before taking concentrated products.

Can you bring it home?

Do not pack fresh fruit without checking current Canadian import rules. Declare all food products when returning to Canada.

Checklist

• Fruit or pulp source identified.
• Seeds removed.
• Water, ice and milk safety checked.
• Availability confirmed that day.
• No unproven medical claims accepted.
• Import rules checked before packing.

Return to all English Cuba travel guides →