Feijoas are a fruit that is native to South America but can also be found in Hawaii and New Zealand.
They are not your everyday fruit.
They come from a subtropical tree and can be eaten raw or cooked.
What do feijoas taste like? What are they good for? What should you know before eating them? In this article, we will answer all of these questions about the exotic feijoa.
What are Feijoas?
Feijoas are the fruit from a tree that is native to South America.
They’re nicknamed “pineapple guava” because of their sweet, pineapple-like taste and round shape with lots of spikes on them.
Feijoa trees grow best in temperate climates like New Zealand or Hawaii.
The flowers bloom in springtime, and the fruit ripens in early autumn.
It is a type of guava that can be eaten raw or cooked, and it’s also used to make jams and other preserves.
In New Zealand, feijoas are popular for their flavor, and they’re often made into chutney to preserve them through the wintertime.
Since feijoas are rich in vitamin C and grow well with little care (they don’t need a pollinator), you could plant them at your local nursery or fruit tree farm.
They’re hard to find outside of the tropics, but they make for a great snack if you do happen to come across one while traveling.
Nutritonal Benefits of Feijoas
Feijoas are a tasty fruit that has many nutritional benefits.
They are often eaten raw but can be processed into sauces and jellies as well.
These little gems provide immune support, promote healthy hair and skin, help with blood pressure management, and promote digestive health.
They are also a good source of calcium, iron, Vitamin C as well as potassium.
Feijoas are also packed with antioxidants that can help fight off free radicals in the body.
The high fiber level in feijoas will make you feel full and satisfied, so they are a great fruit to turn to when dieting or trying to eat healthier.
They also have a low glycemic index which means their sugar is released slower into your bloodstream than other fruit, which helps manage your blood sugar levels.
The feijoa is also rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants that can help fight off free radicals in the body.
Feijoas are a tasty way to pack fiber into your diet, with just one serving containing over 100% of the recommended daily intake.
If you’re looking for a tasty way to boost your immune system, improve skin health or keep blood pressure in check – feijoas are an excellent choice.
What Does Feijoa Smell Like?
Feijoas are native to the southern hemisphere and were first brought over from South America to New Zealand in 1881.
The fruit is a green, oval shape with light brown skin that can range from crunchy to soft depending on ripeness.
It has also been called pineapple guava because of its similar taste compared to these other fruits.
Feijoas are usually eaten fresh but can also be used in a variety of dishes.
They are a common ingredient in New Zealand pies, cakes, and desserts.
Feijoas have been reported to smell similar to pears with an undertone of pineapple.
Their sweet-sour, pineapple-like fragrance can identify them.
Depending on ripeness, the aroma can change from a refreshing, citrus-like flavor to an earthy, sweet smell.
Feijoas are not as juicy as some other fruits like apples or pears, so they tend to be eaten with their skin for maximum enjoyment of the aroma and taste.
What Do Feijoas Taste Like? Do Feijoas Taste Good?
First off, feijoas are typically eaten raw, and it’s a very sweet fruit.
The taste of the fresh feijoa varies depending on its maturity and where you live in New Zealand.
There is also a difference between people who like to eat them when they’re ripe versus those that would prefer slightly green.
If you want to get into the nitty-gritty, there’s a flavor spectrum that ranges from “slightly sweet and tangy” to “very tart”.
What they don’t have is any real bitterness.
This means if you’re looking for something with more of an acidic taste, feijoas are not your best bet.
Their exotic flavor is enhanced by their crisp texture, which makes them perfect for this year when the weather gets colder.
The fruit is a combination of pineapple and guava.
This means that the feijoa has some of those tart flavors and more sweet elements like honey.
The taste is unique to this fruit, and it’s something you need to try for yourself before deciding what your opinion on them is.
How to Eat Feijoas?
AS mentioned a couple of times before, the feijoa is a fruit that requires special care.
It’s delicate and doesn’t like being mishandled, so you need to be careful when picking it up and handling it.
Before eating them, many people recommend washing off any pesticides or dirt from their skin with cool water because they easily soak into the soft flesh.
This will also give you a better idea of how ripe they are, and you’ll know if any pesticides have been sprayed on them.
The most common way of eating Feijoas is to slice them in half, scoop out the flesh with a spoon or knife and enjoy.
If you don’t want too much mess on your hands, though, you can slice it in quarters and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
Then you can enjoy this delicious fruit either by eating it as is or adding sugar, honey, or vanilla extract to sweeten them up before they are ready for consumption.
Where to Buy Feijoas?
You can find them at many supermarkets, but we think there are better options out there.
- Visit a local greengrocer or fruit shop and ask about the Feijoas. Ask if they have any in stock right now, what variety of feijoa is available this season, as well as their thoughts on how to store the best. If there are no Feijoas left, but you would like some, then it’s time to get in contact with your local fruit and vegetable wholesaler.
- Visit the website of a feijoa company like Feijoa Addiction to explore what is available and where you can buy them from. Use their handy store locator tool at the bottom of the page so that you know which stores near you sell these delicious fruits.
- Lastly, if you have the time and inclination, then why not grow your feijoas? They are easy enough to prune; there’s loads of information about how to do it on youtube.
How to Store Feijoas?
Like guavas, feijoas are one of the few fruits that thrive in cold climates.
Fruit quality is affected by temperature and humidity, so it’s important to store them correctly.
Keep the fruit away from direct sunlight and heat.
Unripe feijoas can be left to ripen at room temperature.
However, it is best to put them where they will not be disturbed by knocking or rubbing against other produce.
The best place to keep feijoas is in the fridge (above 40 degrees Fahrenheit).
They can be kept there for up to a week.
If you want your feijoas to stay crispy, you’ll need an airtight container.
If you have an abundance of feijoas, freezing is the best option.
Make sure to peel the fruit and remove any stems before freezing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, feijoa is an exotic species that grows mostly in South America.
They are a cross-breed of the pineapple, guava, and strawberry fruit families.
Feijoa is juicy with soft skin that’s easy to peel off after eating it raw.
Feijoas can be eaten either by themselves or cut up in different types of dishes for added flavor.
If you have had a different experience when tasting Feijoas than those mentioned above, please leave me a comment below.
I would love to hear your story.
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