Full Answer
What is a kiwi fruit?
Kiwi fruit belongs to the Actinidia genus, a climbing vine which is trained to a trellis when cultivated. There are some fifty species in this genus, with a wide variety of fruit. Actinidia can have yellow, orange or green flesh, and smooth or furry skin.
What does Kiwi taste like?
Golden kiwi: These have a golden flesh that’s sweet and a bit tropical tasting. Due to a shorter shelf life, these are not as commercially available (though I’ve spotted them from time to time in my local grocery!)
Is a Kiwi plant male or female?
Kiwifruit plants generally are dioecious, meaning a plant is either male or female. The male plants have flowers that produce pollen, the females receive the pollen to fertilise their ovules and grow fruit; most kiwifruit requires a male plant to pollinate the female plant.
Can you eat raw kiwifruit?
Raw kiwifruit contains actinidain (also spelled actinidin) which is commercially useful as a meat tenderizer and possibly as a digestive aid. Actinidain also makes raw kiwifruit unsuitable for use in desserts containing milk or any other dairy products because the enzyme digests milk proteins.
Are kiwis pomes?
Pomes: Fruits that have smooth skin and an enlarged fleshy area that surrounds the core. Examples of pomes are apples, pears, and kiwis. Drupes: Fruits that contain a single seed, or pit, surrounded by juicy flesh.
What type of fruit is kiwi?
berriesOnce known as Chinese gooseberry, kiwis were given the name “kiwi” by New Zealand fruit exporters after the flightless kiwi birds, which are endemic to New Zealand ( 1 ). Botanically, kiwis are classified as berries. Actinidia deliciosa and A. chinensis are the two most commonly consumed kiwi species (2).
What are the pome fruits?
Apples, pears, nashi and quince are pome fruits, grown from spring blossom and harvested from late summer through to late autumn.
What food group is a kiwi in?
Kiwi fruit is a member of the Fruits and Fruit Juices USDA nutritional food group.
Is a kiwi a citrus fruit?
Of course not, but you probably knew that already! Thekiwifruit may have some similar qualities to the citrus fruit family, but it is classed as a non-citrus exotic fruit.
What type of fruit is a kiwi and banana?
1:523:55Banana Kiwi Fruit | Kin Community - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGrowing just like a root vegetable. And then after about three weeks time it matures into a fullMoreGrowing just like a root vegetable. And then after about three weeks time it matures into a full fruit.
Is a papaya a pome?
The papaya (Carica) is a pepo because of its thick outer rind. He also considers the banana (Musa) to be pepo. The pomegranate has a persistant calyx and endocarp reminiscent of a pome, and membranous partitions, juicy seed vesicles, and a leathery exocarp similar to a hesperidium.
Is peach pome fruit?
The apple is a pome fruit which develops from the inferior ovary of the flower....Introduction.FruitBotanical nameOrigin and remarksPeach and nectarinePrunus persicaChinaPear (Asian or Chinese)Pyrus pyrifoliaWestern and southwestern China11 more rows
What is a pome fleshy fruit?
Definition of pome : a fleshy fruit (such as an apple or pear) consisting of an outer thickened fleshy layer and a central core with usually five seeds enclosed in a capsule.
Can diabetic patient eat kiwi?
One kiwi also has about 42 calories and 10 g of carbohydrates, so it's a smart addition to your diabetes-friendly diet.
Is kiwi fruit high in sugar?
Kiwis. This small exotic fruit has become a grocery store favorite. Not only are these little greens low in sugar, kiwi is packed with vitamin C, which can improve your immune system.
Is kiwi the healthiest fruit?
Kiwi fruit stands number one in nutrient content compared to 27 other fruits. It is packed with twice the amount of Vitamin C — compared to oranges (per 100 mg) — and has twice the amount of nutrients — compared to apples (per 100 mg).
Shared Traits
Pomes all share certain structural similarities. Like strawberries and figs, pomes are accessory fruits: Their edible flesh forms not only from the ovary but from other parts of the flower. Accessory fruits are distinct from aggregate fruits (e.g., berries) and simple fruits (e.g., nuts).
Pome Trees
Trees that bear pomes are deciduous, shedding their leaves in the fall and lying dormant in the winter. These trees flower in the spring, then bear fruit in the summer. Harvest usually occurs in the late summer and early fall.
Uses for Pomes
People have been eating pomes for millennia. Scholars estimate that nearly 60 percent of pomes grown throughout human history were cider fruits rather than dessert fruits. In fact, hard cider was the most popular and accessible alcoholic beverage in the United States until the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
Pome Growth
Pomes are particularly well-suited to interspecies grafting: A single pome rootstock can support nearly 20 cultivars. Apples, pears, and Asian pears are often grown on the same tree—not only does this ensure variety, but it protects the fruits from certain diseases and pests.
Minerals
Iron is found in hemoglobin, which represents approximately 2 thirds of the body’s iron reserve.
Vitamins
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is important for maintaining the health of the nervous system. It works closely with folate (vitamin B9) in the production of red blood cells and the processing of iron.
Etymology
Early varieties were described in a 1904 nursery catalogue as having "...edible fruits the size of walnuts, and the flavour of ripe gooseberries ", leading to the name Chinese gooseberry. In 1962, New Zealand growers began calling it "kiwifruit" for export marketing, a name commercially adopted in 1974.
Species and cultivars
The genus Actinidia comprises around 60 species. Their fruits are quite variable, although most are easily recognised as kiwifruit because of their appearance and shape. The skin of the fruit varies in size, hairiness and colour. The flesh varies in colour, juiciness, texture and taste.
Cultivation
Kiwifruit can be grown in most temperate climates with adequate summer heat. Where fuzzy kiwifruit ( A. deliciosa) is not hardy, other species can be grown as substitutes.
Production
Kiwifruit exports rapidly increased from the late 1960s to early 1970s in New Zealand. By 1976, exports exceeded the amount consumed domestically. Outside of Australasia, New Zealand kiwifruit are marketed under the brand-name label, Zespri.
Human consumption
In a 100-gram (3.5 oz) amount, green kiwifruit provides 61 calories, is 83% water and 15% carbohydrates, with negligible protein and fat (table). It is particularly rich in vitamin C (112% DV) and vitamin K (38% DV), has a moderate content of vitamin E (10% DV), with no other micronutrients in significant content.
Varieties of kiwifruit
Fuzzy kiwis: This family of kiwis includes the variety you’re probably most used to eating, being about the size of a large egg with a fuzzy brown exterior and bright green fruit.
How to select and store kiwifruit
Choose fragrant, slightly soft fruits. Harder fruits will be more astringent and sour. Kiwis will continue to ripen after you buy them, so if you want to ripen them faster, store them in a paper bag at room temperature. To slow down ripening, store your kiwifruit in the fridge.
Is Kiwi a Vegetable?
No, kiwi is not a vegetable. Botanically, fruits come from the flower of a plant and contain seeds. Vegetables come from other parts and can include leaves, roots and stems.
Is Kiwi Acidic?
Yes, kiwi fruit is acidic, but that’s not uncommon since most fruits are as well. The kiwi derives its acidity from the presence of quinic, citric and malic acids.
When Are Kiwi Fruit in Season?
The kiwi fruit flourishes in sub-tropical climates like China, where it originated, and the northern regions of New Zealand, where it’s been grown for over 100 years. However, it’s a hearty fruit and can be grown in less suitable environments as well.
Kiwi Berry vs Kiwi Fruit
As mentioned earlier, all kiwis are berries, so it’s natural there can be confusion around this question. However, there is a type of kiwi which is referred to as a berry.
Vitamin C Kiwi Fruit vs Orange
On a gram per gram basis, kiwis contain more vitamin C than the typical orange.
What is a citrus fruit?
Just like kiwis, citrus fruit is used for juices, jams, baking, candies, eaten fresh, and used in smoothies and milkshakes. What defines citrus? Citrus belongs to the Rue family of trees. These are trees that flower and produce fruits that are often sour and have thick, fleshy skins. They are also highly fragrant.
Are kiwis a berry?
Kiwis are actually a berry, also known as the Chinese Gooseberry. They are sometimes referred to as kiwifruit to avoid confusion with the bird or people in New Zealand. While bigger than most berries people typically think of, kiwis are certainly closer to berries than citrus.
Similarities between kiwis and citrus fruits
It’s easy enough to see why people well may ask if kiwi are citrus. Even though they are from different families, they do have a lot of similarities.
Benefits of kiwis
Like most fruit, kiwis have great nutritional value. Here is the nutrition facts breakdown per an average-sized kiwi:
Health Benefits of Kiwis
Adding fruit to your diet every day is always going to be beneficial, and it is recommended. Here are some of the key health benefits of kiwis:
Ways to Enjoy Kiwi
Try adding kiwis to your salads, sliced up on your breakfast cereal, on your baking, in a healthy breakfast smoothie, in a jam, in muffins, and just peeled and raw and ready to go. They are very good on their own or added to your favorite dishes.
Kiwis are not citrus fruits but equally delicious
As lovely and sweet and full of vitamin C as they are, kiwis are not in the citrus fruit family. They are lovely all on their own. Healthy, compact, tasty, they are a perfect addition to any fruit bowl. Take a few with you in your packed lunch for a sweet treat instead of that pastry or cake at your coffee break.
