Kiwifruit

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Golden kiwifruit
Golden kiwifruit
Kiwifruit
Fruit tart with kiwifruit and raspberries
Fruit tart with kiwifruit and raspberries

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) is a fruit. It has an oval shape. It is green on the inside with small black seeds that can be eaten. The kiwi has furry brown skin that is edible but is usually removed. The skin is relatively thin. The kiwi is native to South China.

The fruit was named in 1959 after the kiwi, a bird and the symbol of New Zealand. Before that, its English name was Chinese gooseberry.

The kiwifruit is healthy and contains many vitamins and minerals. Kiwis are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and fiber.[1] Kiwis have more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange.[2]

There are different types of kiwifruit. The main types are Hayward (the most common green kiwifruit), chico, Saanichton 12, and golden kiwifruit. Golden kiwifruit are sweeter than normal green kiwifruit. Golden kiwifruit was invented by grafting and cross-pollinating different types of kiwifruit.

Interesting facts about Kiwifruit[edit | edit source]

  • Kiwifruit is a fruit that is known for its unique taste, which has been described as a combination of melon, citrus fruits, nectarines, and strawberries.
  • The fruit originated in China, where it is known as yáng táo meaning “sunny peach” or mí hóu táo meaning “Macaque peach”.
  • In New Zealand, kiwifruit used to be called Chinese gooseberries, but the name was changed to kiwifruit in 1959 after the national bird, the kiwi.
  • Italy and New Zealand are the top producers of kiwifruit in the world.
  • There are two types of kiwifruit: green and gold. The gold kiwifruit was first grown in the 1980s and has a golden yellow flesh with tiny black seeds. It is less hairy and has a hint of mango flavor.
  • Kiwi can be used as a natural meat tenderizer.
  • There are 400 varieties of kiwifruit in China.
  • Kiwifruit is one of the most popular fruits today.
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  1. "Nutrition Facts for Kiwi fruit, (chinese gooseberries), fresh, raw, one NLEA serving, 177 g". Nutritiondata.com. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  2. "Nutrition Facts for Oranges, raw, all commercial varieties, one NLEA serving, 180 g". Nutritiondata.com. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD