Yes. Guanabana and graviola commonly refer to Annona muricata, the tropical fruit tree usually called soursop in English. The name on a package is only the first step: fruit pulp, leaf tea, and an extract can come from the same plant while remaining very different foods or products.
Kew Plants of the World Online accepts Annona muricata L. as the scientific name, while WebMD’s graviola overview lists graviola, soursop, and guanabana as common names for that tree. As of October 2026, that shared name is useful orientation, not a reason to treat every package as the same ingredient.
Which name means soursop?
| Common name | Language or region | Scientific identity | Usual context | Source and scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soursop | English | Annona muricata | Usually the fruit or tree | Kew: botanical identity |
| Guanabana / guanábana | Spanish-language use | Annona muricata | Fruit, pulp, nectar, or tree | Goya Guanabana Nectar: a nectar format; WebMD: common-name cross-reference |
| Graviola | Portuguese-language use, especially Brazil | Annona muricata | Fruit or supplement naming | WebMD: common-name cross-reference |
| Guyabano | Philippines | Annona muricata | Fruit or tree | Experimental Farm Network: regional naming context |
The accent in guanábana is a Spanish display spelling, not a separate fruit. A qualified regional language reviewer should confirm pronunciation guidance before this page publishes phonetic spellings; a spelling variant does not need its own near-duplicate page.
Why is it called soursop?
The English name points to the fruit’s sweet-and-tart character. Serious Eats’ soursop guide describes the fruit as primarily sweet, while the name itself reflects a tart note alongside that sweetness.
A name does not tell you which plant part you have
Start with three details: the scientific name, the plant part, and the complete ingredient list. This is the small check that keeps a carton of fruit pulp from being confused with a bag of leaves or a concentrated extract.
| Editorial example | What identifies it | Best next question |
|---|---|---|
| Whole fruit | Annona muricata; edible fruit pulp; seeds removed | How do I prepare and serve the fruit? |
| Frozen pulp | Fruit pulp plus any listed ingredients, such as sweetener or water | What does this food label say? |
| Leaf tea | Leaf material; preparation directions; other herbs if present | What exactly is in this tea? |
These are classification examples, not buyer records. FDA produce guidance provides general food-handling information for fresh produce, while a tea label needs its own ingredient and preparation check. A paper about one form does not establish a benefit for another form.
Are guanabana seeds the same as graviola seeds?
When guanabana and graviola both identify Annona muricata, they point to seeds from the same species. That still does not make seeds part of the edible pulp: WebMD says to avoid soursop seeds because they can be toxic.
What about cherimoya, sugar apple, and custard apple?
Similar market names can point to different relatives in the Annona group. University of Florida IFAS distinguishes several Annona species, so “custard apple” alone is not enough to settle identity. Use the scientific name and the fruit description before comparing one of those fruits with soursop.
What should you do with a guanabana label?
If you are choosing fruit, begin with the food and its ingredients. If you are choosing tea, identify the leaf and every herb in the blend. If you are considering a capsule, powder, tincture, or spray, identify the stated extract and all added ingredients before carrying over anything you learned about raw fruit.
Questions about kidneys, blood pressure, blood sugar, cancer, or how quickly a product might “work” are health questions, not name questions. Memorial Sloan Kettering’s graviola monograph and MD Anderson’s soursop guide explain why laboratory findings and small studies do not establish soursop or a product as a treatment for cancer or another disease. People with cancer, people taking medicines, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should bring the exact product label to their clinician.
The same label-first habit is useful when comparing other wellness products, including Keravita Pro and Neurodrine: the product name is less informative than the complete ingredient list and intended format.
Before you put it on the shelf or take it home
- Look for Annona muricata on the package or ask the seller to identify the species.
- Mark whether it is fruit, pulp, leaf, tea, seed, or extract.
- Read every added ingredient, especially in drinks and blends.
- Keep seeds out of the edible fruit portion.
- For a health question, bring the exact label to your clinician rather than relying on the shared common name.
By MountainSageNaturalHealth.com Editorial Team