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Chirimoya/custard apple

I just wondered if any of y'all have heard of/access to a fruit called "chirimoya" in Spanish, and  (I think) "custard apple" in English.

They're heartshaped, heavier than they look, with a tough leathery outside skin, pale green with black markings (quite pretty!). Inside the flesh is soft and white, tastes like pineapple without being tart, and has a lot of LARGE hard black seeds in it.

The question is about the seeds. I always want to string them, but I think they'd probably have to be dried first? Or would that make them even harder? It just seems a pity to waste them. They're like huge Job's Tears seeds, as big as my little fingernail and shiny black. They just cry out to be made into necklaces.

What's a dremel tool, please? Guess I'll have to google...sounds like a tiny drill.

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Ah...that looks expensive. DH doesn't do DYI so I couldn't get him one for Xmas....I'll have to try drying some and then use a darning needle or some such.

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Dremels are awesome!!!!

but i wonder if you cant get an appropriate bit for an electric screwgun?
i dont know how hard the seeds will become or how they will shrivel...could you use an awl before they are totally dry??
i want chirimoya beads!! *whine*  :(

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Gee, and I thought this would be a thread about recipes for cherimoya.  ;D

What a unique and fun idea, yabbit. I loves making jewellery... haven't tried much with 'natural' beads though. Good luck with dat, and won't you take a picture if it's a success?

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I read somewhere as a kid about Amazonian natives or someone using termites or some other wood eating critter to chew through a branch to make something...not that I believe that story! (Golly, the stuff we got taught when I was in school!) And I don't suppose it would be possible to assure that the critter would nosh a straight line right through! Wish I had a trained termite, though! Problem solved!  ;D ;D

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