Apple Guava

Apple Guava (Psidium guajava) is a tropical fruit cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions. It is a small tree in the myrtle family, native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.

Description

The Apple Guava tree is a small tree that typically grows to a height of 10–15 feet. The leaves are opposite, simple, elliptic to ovate, 2.8–6.3 in long. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous stamens. The fruit is a berry, which can be round or pear-shaped with a thin skin that is green and turns yellow as it ripens. The flesh of the fruit is white or pink depending on the variety, with many small hard seeds.

Cultivation

Apple Guava is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for its edible fruit. The tree can be grown in the ground in USDA Zones 9b-11 and in a container in colder areas where it can be brought indoors when temperatures drop below freezing. The tree requires full sun and well-drained soil. It is relatively drought-tolerant but does better with regular deep watering.

Uses

The fruit of the Apple Guava is consumed in various ways. It can be eaten raw or used to make juices, smoothies, and desserts. In addition to its use as food, the fruit has also been used in traditional medicine. The leaves of the tree are also used in some cultures for medicinal purposes.

Nutrition

Apple Guava is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, folic acid, and the dietary minerals, potassium, copper and manganese. Having a generally broad, low-calorie profile of essential nutrients, a single common guava fruit contains about four times the amount of vitamin C as an orange.

See also

• Guava
• Tropical fruit
• Psidium